Ministers meet with the Association of Cultural Industries

Industry, Trade and Rural Development Minister Beaton Tulk, chair of the Economic Policy Committee of Cabinet and Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Kevin Aylward announced today that the Economic Policy Committee has met with the Association of Cultural Industries to discuss the association's proposal for a cultural policy for Newfoundland and Labrador. 

"Government's Renewal Strategy for Jobs and Growth, released in March, committed to the establishment of a new cultural development strategy in 200l," said Minister Tulk. "The presentation and discussion with the Association of Cultural Industries is a critical component in delivering on that commitment."

Minister Aylward added: " My department has been working with the association to determine what actions could be taken in the short term since receiving the proposal this spring. We are also establishing an interdepartmental committee to work towards realizing the objectives of the proposal. Over the coming months, we will continue to work with the association and other stakeholders to bring forward a cultural policy for the province."

Bruce Porter, chair of the association, welcomed the ministers' commitment to work quickly towards the release of a provincial cultural policy and was pleased with the opportunity to meet with the committee.

The Association of Cultural Industries was created in 1998 and is comprised of artists from various disciplines, cultural employees and administrators of arts organizations. The association's cultural policy proposal was developed by four working groups, which included members from the cultural community and the provincial and federal governments, and addresses four different aspects of policy: (i) Support and Investment; (ii) Status of the Artist; (iii) Access to the Arts in Schools and Communities; and (iv) Cultural Tourism. They have made 72 proposals to government.

The Economic Policy Committee is a standing committee of Cabinet, chaired by Minister Tulk. The Committee includes Finance Minister and Treasury Board President Joan Marie Aylward; Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Kevin Aylward; Works, Services and Transportation Minister Percy Barrett; Mines and Energy Minister Lloyd Matthews; Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ernest McLean; Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Gerry Reid; Environment Minister Ralph Wiseman; and, Forest Resources and Agrifoods Minister Rick Woodford. Mr. Wally Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, and Mr. George Sweeney, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Rural Development are also members.

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2001 06 15                                                         4:05 p.m.