Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $500 million in aid to be distributed through Heritage Canada to support the arts, heritage and sports sectors.
Trudeau noted that the arts have brought comfort, laughter and inspiration to Canadians during the coronavirus pandemic, but provided no details on how the funds would be allocated at a media briefing Friday.
Trudeau's announcement follows a plea from a new group representing some 65 cultural organizations across Canada for assistance for struggling arts groups. The group, One Voice for Arts and Culture, sent a letter to Trudeau earlier this week saying "many groups are facing a threat to their existence."
Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault later outlined the basic plan, saying he would work with the sectors to “fine tune” the specifics.
The funds will be administered by Canadian Heritage with the support of partners, such as the Canada Council for the Arts, and will go to various non-profits, sports groups, music associations and the like.
Guilbeault said the arts sector has many “independent workers” who aren't necessarily recognized in the government's emergency wage subsidy.
“The programs that we've already announced weren't tailored for them, and didn't take into account the specific nature of the arts and culture and sporting sectors,” he said.
Source: Government of Canada, Canadian Press