We are writing jointly to you today to urge you to cast your vote in the federal election on Monday, September 20.
As the majority of Equity members are independent contractors, you have long been aware of the precarious nature of your work opportunities. The pandemic has made everyone aware of the cracks in the system, and we acknowledge that many members have struggled through the last 19 months. The importance of federal policies that support the arts and culture sector and independent contractors couldn't be clearer in this challenging time.
Members who work predominately as employees also have a significant investment in the government's recovery plans for the arts and culture sector. In addition, the ongoing Employment Insurance reform review must ensure that any changes provide them with a fair and supportive process.
Along with our Creative Industries Coalition partners, we have asked the major parties to provide us with their answers to our questions about what they will do to foster sectoral recovery and rebuilding. The parties' responses are available for you to review
here.
When you cast your ballot this coming Monday, we urge you to take into consideration the positions taken by the various parties on our industry's needs and concerns. However, we are asking you to go one step further than that and engage your friends and family in a discussion about the importance of policies that support our live performance sector. Canadians tend to overlook our sector when considering which party to support in any election, as they are in most cases unaware of how large a role we play in the overall health of our economy.
Based on the latest available figures from Statistics Canada:
- The cultural sector in Canada contributed $59 billion dollars to GDP - larger than agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting combined ($39 billion), accommodation and food services ($46 billion) and utilities ($46 billion)
- A fact that may come as a surprise to many is that domestic spending on culture products totalled $1.2 billion, more than double the $586.6 million spent on sports in Canada
- According to the 2016 Census, the number of cultural workers (726,630) is greater than the labour force in automotive manufacturing (146,200) and the utilities sector (136,400)
Canada's cultural sector really does matter!
Of course, our contribution is not confined to the economic activity we generate. We are the storytellers, the mirror to society, and a source of solace, entertainment, and inspiration. During the pandemic, members created new works and new ways of sharing their work to offer refuge and a distraction from a constant stream of bad news.
The arts have been there for Canadians.
Now it is time for Canadians to be there for the arts.
So, please talk to your friends and family. Share some of these statistics with them and encourage them to consider the value of what we do when they make their decision. The arts must continue to flourish from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Regardless of the party you support, we urge you to go to the polls on Monday and exercise your vote. This election will have an impact on our sector for years to come, so be sure to add your choice to that outcome.
