We asked several leading figures in the country’s arts scene what was the one thing they would change about Canada’s cultural policies. Their responses:
Hubert Lacroix, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada
I would introduce a process that, at least every decade, reviews the role that CBC/Radio-Canada should play. This process would also align our role with a multi-year financing commitment that allows us to fulfill the expectations that Canadians have of their public broadcaster.
Denise Robert, Quebec producer, co-founder and president of Cinémaginaire
Rephrase “Canadian cultural policies” as “focus on exceptional individual Canadian talents.”
Graham Henderson, President of the Canadian Recording Industry Association
Canada’s cultural industries need to be thought of as industries, not just as “the arts.” They are key economic drivers that contribute significantly to Canada’s GDP and create jobs. Government policy should reflect this. Canada’s digital future is not just about infrastructure; it is also about content. No digital economic strategy can be complete without the cultural industries at the table. This is not currently the case. And it needs to change.
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