Campaign for Culture

What’s going on?

The government of Canada is currently conducting a “Comprehensive Expenditure Review,” where federal organisations have been asked to submit a plan for 15% of cost savings over the next three years. The government is currently reviewing these proposals. The cuts will look like: 7.5% for 26/27, 2.5% in 27/28, 5% in 28/29. Note these cuts are targeted for government efficiencies rather than programs to Canadians, and that not every organisation will receive 15% cuts, or any cut at all, with the 15% mark being an ambitious and “up to” amount.

How does this affect us?

There is a chance that The Canada Council for the Arts will be subject to more cuts, while currently in the process of cutting spending already. Canadian Heritage may also receive cuts, alongside several other organisations focused on the arts. 

What can we do?

The Canadian Arts Coalition has assembled the “Campaign for Culture”, a letter writing campaign through New/Mode. This intuitive platform will send a bilingual letter (crafted by our friends on the Steering Committee of the CaC, with feedback to strengthen it from our peers across the country as well as QDF) to your local MP, the Prime Minister, as well as several other key ministers. The template can be edited to any way you see fit, so you can send a powerful letter within 20 seconds, or spend a few minutes to tell your story. 

We ask that you take a moment to sign and send this letter:

https://win.newmode.net/canadianartscoalition

More information on the Campaign for Culture:

https://canadianartscoalition.com/campaign-for-culture-2025/

What has QDF done?

QDF has been supporting PACT in submitting its federal pre-budget submission, which can be read here. Its primary ask is for 1% government spending going towards the arts, which is a coordinated ask with several other organisations. The secondary ask is towards a Live Performing Arts Tax Credit. QDF has also been attending several high-level advocacy meetings.