PACT's Pre-Budget Submission for 2024

August 17, 2023

PACT sent in our submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance's annual pre-budget consultations earlier this month. This year, our recommendations focus on training, infrastructure support, and encouraging audiences to return to the theatre. You can download the full document here.

Introduction

PACT’s membership is diverse, ranging from the largest performing arts organizations in Canada to smaller theatre companies that serve their audiences in a wide variety of communities from coast to coast to coast; from rural to urban, commercial to independent, theatre for young audiences to culturally specific and everything else in between.

Through our latest survey conducted in July 2023, our members outlined issues that have helped guide our Budget 2024 recommendations. It is also worth noting that the overall cultural sector accounts for 2.3% of the country’s GDP, yet Canada’s live performing arts industry was among the hardest hit sectors nationally, and experienced the most stringent and longest-duration of restrictions globally. Our theatres are working to significantly rebuild audiences and the workforce, still reeling from closures.

Recommendations

1. That the Government invest $15 million in national arts training, including a $5 million top up to the Canada Arts Training Fund (CATF) for existing training institutions, and a new $10 million program stream open to training initiatives led by arts producers and presenters.
   
2. To support capital and infrastructure for Canada’s cultural sector, that the Government invest an additional $54 million in annual permanent funding to the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund and invest $500 million in permanent funding into the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings Program.
3. Double the allowed percent of eligible administrative costs and allocations within Canadian Heritage funding programs (for example, 15% to 30%).
4. That the Government encourage audience return through the following measures:
   a. Implement a tax credit to encourage individuals to buy tickets to Canadian theatre productions.
   b. Invest $10 million in a public campaign through Destination Canada that promotes Canadian live performances as a tourist experience and to encourage audience return.

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