Submission to the Department of Finance Canada: Pre-Budget Consultations 2023

Orchestras Canada recently submitted recommendations to the Federal Department of Finance as part of that group’s pre-budget consultation process. In our brief, we thank the government of Canada for their leadership and enhanced support during the COVID-19 pandemic; summarize the situation, contributions and needs of Canadian orchestras during this time of pandemic recovery; and make a case for: 

  • Investing in supplementary federal support to performing arts groups – identified as one of the hardest hit sectors – experiencing a slower-than-expected rebound from pandemic closures.
  • Undertaking, commissioning and funding comprehensive arts and culture sector research, to inform federal policy and funding frameworks and strengthen sector decision- making.
  • Ensuring that the interests of self-employed artists and cultural workers are considered in the design of a modernized Employment Insurance program.
  • Developing a cross-departmental Federal strategy for equitable, long-term social and economic resilience in every community across Canada, including arts and culture as a key contributor.

You can read the complete brief here.