{"id":4746,"date":"2019-07-31T08:13:01","date_gmt":"2019-07-31T13:13:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/demosite2.asurtec.com\/?p=4746"},"modified":"2019-11-21T13:07:48","modified_gmt":"2019-11-21T18:07:48","slug":"submission-to-the-standing-committee-on-finance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oc.ca\/en\/submission-to-the-standing-committee-on-finance\/","title":{"rendered":"Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance: 2020 Pre-Budget Consultation"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n\"OC<\/strong><\/p>\n

The entire submission is available here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Orchestras Canada\/Orchestres Canada Recommendations:
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  1. Ensure that charities and not-for-profits have the same access to federal programs supporting research and fact-based carbon reduction education and projects as their SME\u00a0 and MUSH sector counterparts.<\/li>\n
  2. Ensure that the five-year $180 million investment for the Canada Council for the Arts announced in Budget 2016 is completed in Budget 2020-21.<\/li>\n
  3. Enhance the budget of the Endowment Incentives component of the Canada Cultural Investment Fund by $6.5 million annually, to help arts and culture organizations raise private sector contributions and develop stable, long-term revenues through the growth of endowment funds.<\/li>\n
  4. Increase funding and support for internships and on-the-job training for arts managers by $500,000 annually to ensure succession planning and diversification of the sector.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    Preamble<\/strong><\/h5>\n

    On behalf of our 125 member orchestras from across Canada, the audiences they engage, and the diverse communities they serve, Orchestras Canada\/Orchestres Canada (OC) is pleased to participate in the Standing Committee on Finance\u2019s pre-budget consultations.<\/p>\n

    At OC, we believe that orchestras are strong contributors to quality of life in Canadian towns and cities, valued participants in community commemorations, capable partners in community cultural and educational development, and proud standard-bearers for Canadian achievement, locally, nationally and internationally.<\/p>\n

    Canadian orchestras are not-for-profit organizations and registered charities. According to data collected by Orchestras Canada<\/a>, Canadian orchestras performed 3718 performances for 2.894 million Canadians in 2017-18. That same season, our members generated revenue from box office and other earned sources (an average of 36.2% of revenues); donations, sponsorship, and special events (38.8%), and from grants and contributions from various levels of government (25%). Over 70% of a typical orchestra\u2019s budget is spent on people. Orchestras manage their resources prudently, but \u2013 without adequate capitalization \u2013 they can be profoundly affected by prevailing economic conditions.<\/p>\n

    Orchestras contribute significantly to the vitality, cohesion and competitiveness of Canadian communities; the ability of Canadian communities and businesses to attract and retain talent; creating and maintaining good jobs and contributing to the quality of lives of Canadians. These are key attributes that help make Canada such a desirable country in which to live and do business. Export of Canadian orchestras\u2019 work \u2013 through international touring and digital dissemination of recordings and live streaming \u2013 projects a modern image of Canada, highlights the talent of artists from across the country, supports innovative approaches and leverages the creativity of technological progress and contributes to Canada\u2019s cultural diplomacy.<\/p>\n

    Accordingly, while we see government investment in orchestras as important, we are equally interested in policies that favour attractive, sustainable, participatory communities, and the growth and sustainability of the charitable sector. The four measures that we propose this year will be good for orchestras; and they\u2019ll contribute to the cultural and economic fabric of our communities, too.<\/p>\n

    Recommendation #1: Collective responses to the climate emergency<\/strong><\/h5>\n

    This year, the Committee is specifically seeking recommendations pertaining to the climate emergency and the transition to a low carbon economy. OC and our members know that climate change is a profound threat to our economy, our communities and our future, and we are pleased to address this topic in our brief.<\/p>\n

    Canadian orchestras are increasingly engaged in carbon reduction efforts through:<\/p>\n