NLIS 5
September 19, 2005
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
Minister reports on
meetings of ministers responsible for culture and heritage
Paul Shelley, Minister of Tourism,
Culture and Recreation, today reported on the meeting of ministers
responsible for culture and heritage held in Banff, Alberta,
September 15-16. The theme of the meeting was Responding to a
Changing Canadian Society, and focused primarily on cultural
investment and the role of Canada�s museums.
�We understand that culture is dynamic, and our creative communities
are constantly affected by the trends that exist locally, nationally
and internationally,� said Minister Shelley. �Issues such as
demographics, global networking and learning within the context of
an innovative world have significant impacts on the cultural fabric
of our country, and governments have to acknowledge these impacts as
policies and programs are developed.�
In terms of the current and future cultural needs of Canada, the
ministers were presented with a number of progress reports on the
Historic Places Initiative; the Culture/Heritage and Tourism
Initiative; the revitalization of Canada�s museums; cultural
investment; the National Forum on Health and Culture; arts and
learning; and the significance of preserving, revitalizing and
promoting Aboriginal languages and cultures.
As the Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, Minister Shelley
said he was particularly pleased that Aboriginal culture was given a
distinct focus within the context of the meeting. �We take great
pride in the cultural identity that binds us as Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians, and our Aboriginal culture is a very important part of
this identity,� said the minister. �Our Aboriginal culture includes
our past and present-day peoples and their various art forms, and we
need to preserve, protect and strengthen this part of our culture by
valuing the legacy they have created and continue to create.�
A major component of the meeting was the adoption of a joint
resolution affirming the important role of museums across the
country as cultural, social, economic and educational drivers.
Provincial and territorial ministers called upon the Minister of
Canadian Heritage, Liza Frulla, to move forward with the development
of a museum policy that complements provincial policies and programs
currently in place.
The ministers also discussed other significant cultural issues such
as the long-term future of the Library Book Rate; federal tax
incentives to preserve historic places; support for the development
and maintenance of new and existing cultural infrastructure; federal
funding support for music industry associations; and the
socio-economic status of artists across the country.
�This meeting was most productive in terms of putting our cultural
priorities on the table,� continued Minister Shelley. �We recognize,
as a group, that our cultural identity enhances our lives socially
and economically, inspiring us to maintain our unique culture for
this generation and generations to come. As such, we must work as a
cohesive group to ensure the cultural needs of our country are
addressed in a timely and effective manner, so we have some tangible
results to report when we reconvene in Ontario next fall.�
Media contact: Melony O�Neill, Communications, (709) 729-0557,
728-7762
2005 09 19
2:20 p.m. |