WHITEHORSE, YT, May 17, 2024
/CNW/ - Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) ministers
responsible for culture and heritage held their annual meeting in
Whitehorse, Yukon, on May 15–17, 2024, to discuss priority
topics, share information and exchange best practices on current
issues and opportunities in the arts, culture and heritage sectors
in Canada. The event was hosted by
Pascale St-Onge, Minister of
Canadian Heritage, and John
Streicker, Yukon Minister
of Tourism and Culture.
In 2021, FPT governments agreed on a five-year strategic
framework (2021–2026) that focuses their collaborative work on
three priorities:
- Strengthening the creative economy;
- Strengthening the culture and heritage resources in
Canada; and
- Strengthening engagement and promotion in the culture and
heritage sectors.
During the 2024 meeting, ministers received an update from the
federal government on the economic status of the arts, culture and
heritage sectors in Canada, and
the continuing challenges faced by sub-sectors reliant on audience
participation. They were also updated on recent federal initiatives
touching on the cultural sector, including the Online News
Act, which took effect on December 19,
2023. Ministers also discussed challenges and opportunities
and stressed the importance of FPT governments working together to
support the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
As part of Yukon's
presentations on heritage conservation and interpretation,
ministers discussed ways to support collaborative management
of heritage resources in a manner that respects and upholds
Indigenous communities.
Recognizing that the repatriation of Indigenous cultural objects
can contribute to each government's reconciliation efforts,
ministers were able to discuss Alberta's work to repatriate Manitou
Asinîy (also known as the Manitou Stone) to Indigenous care. They
also discussed the current engagement activities underway to inform
a new non-sacred object repatriation framework in Alberta.
Ministers also discussed the evolving digital landscape with a
focus on the impacts and implications of artificial intelligence on
cultural industries, including issues such as copyright, deepfakes,
transparency, labour, diversity and inclusion and funding programs.
They agreed that the FPT Culture and Heritage Table will establish
a working group on Artificial Intelligence to discuss issues and
opportunities impacting the sector.
Ministers were briefed on efforts to support news media and a
culture of independent journalism in the digital economy during a
discussion focused on finding ways to ensure continued access to
reliable journalism and relevant local news.
Regarding the challenges facing the arts, culture and heritage
sectors across Canada due to
extreme weather and climate change, ministers shared the various
ways that they have been mitigating climate-related risks and
impacts.
Following a presentation on cultural celebration and
commemoration, highlighting Newfoundland and Labrador's Year of the Arts and 75th
anniversary of entry into Confederation, FPT ministers had the
opportunity to share their initiatives for participation and
engagement in the arts and heritage.
Ministers were also updated on the continuing work of the FPT
Culture and Heritage Table to develop a new collaborative framework
for the conservation of historic places in Canada. While Quebec is not participating in the development
of this framework because it considers that the conservation of
historic places is essentially within its jurisdiction, it remains
open to sharing information and best practices throughout the
process with regard to its own expertise.
Ministers agreed to work collaboratively to help the arts,
culture and heritage sector as it transforms to connect with
audiences at a time of immense change.
FPT ministers are encouraged by the level of collaboration and
will continue building an even stronger relationship that benefits
their jurisdictions and the culture and heritage sector, thereby
furthering progress on shared priorities. They look forward to
visiting Saskatchewan, where the
next ministers' meeting will be hosted on May 27–29, 2025.
Quotes
"This annual meeting underscores our governments' unwavering
commitment to the arts, culture and heritage—the pillars of
Canada's identity and creative
economy. We are determined to work together to help these sectors
navigate evolving challenges and opportunities across the country.
Convening in Whitehorse not only
provided a forum for in-depth discussions on the future of our
industries but was also a unique opportunity to connect with the
rich and diverse cultures of the Far North."
- Pascale St-Onge, Minister of
Canadian Heritage
"It was an honour to host the FPT ministers for culture and
heritage to share priorities and best practices in the arts,
culture and heritage sectors across Canada. This opportunity allowed us to
showcase the North's natural beauty and warm hospitality while
sharing the Yukon's rich and
diverse culture and heritage. These annual gatherings are important
to understand the essential role of culture and heritage in the
Canadian social fabric. I look forward to our continued
collaboration on our five-year strategic framework for the benefit
of all our communities."
- John Streicker, Yukon
Minister of Tourism and Culture
Quick Facts
On May 17, 2024, Yukon, as co-host, gifted each delegation with
three beaded pins with their respective jurisdiction's official
flower or emblem. Thirteen First Nations artists from communities
throughout Yukon were commissioned
to craft the pins from traditional materials including delica
beads, caribou tufting, tanned moose hide, abalone and porcupine
quills.
Culture brings wide benefits to Canadians and their communities,
while making a significant contribution to the nation's economy.
Culture's annual gross domestic product (GDP) in Canada in 2023 was $63.9 billion, with jobs in culture totalling
706,369. In the fourth quarter of 2023, GDP increased
0.5 percent and jobs decreased 0.6 percent in the culture
sector.
While the culture sector has largely recovered from the impacts
of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pace of recovery has been uneven
across sub-sectors. GDP and job levels in some sub-sectors are
still behind their pre-pandemic levels.
SOURCE Federal, provincial, and territorial ministers
responsible for culture and heritage