Did culture get short changed by the Federal Budget?
With the release of the first Federal Budget from the newly elected Conservative Party of Canada, those in the arts community say they’re starting to see the realization of their fears about the new government’s indifference towards culture. "Different cast, same script," said Stephen Waddell, president of the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA), in an news release. "They didn’t talk about culture during the election. They failed to speak of it in the throne speech, and now in their first budget they dedicate seven lines to the arts out of a 302-page document." While Finance Minister Jim Flaherty didn’t deliver the $150 million over three years promised to the Canada Council for the Arts by the previous Liberal government, he did allocate an extra $50 million in funding over the next two years. "Our culture defines us as an independent nation, so it’s troubling that it is barely on this government’s radar," added Waddell.

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

Take a free trial or subscribe to The Wire Report now.