Tourism, Culture and Recreation
August 16, 2013
Federal–Provincial–Territorial Ministers Focus on Cooperation to Promote Culture and Heritage
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers responsible for culture and
heritage in Canada held their annual meeting on Wednesday of this week in
Iqaluit, Nunavut, to discuss issues of common interest.
The meeting was co-chaired by the Honourable James Arreak, Nunavut Minister
of Culture and Heritage, and the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of
Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. At the meeting, all participants
agreed to continue to work together to support and promote culture and
heritage.
The day’s discussions focused on government support for encouraging the
development of creative industries; increasing Canadians’ engagement and
their appreciation of culture and heritage; and fostering the conservation
of places of historic and cultural value.
“I am honoured to have had the opportunity to share Nunavut’s rich culture
and heritage with my counterparts this week. Today’s meeting provided the
opportunity to highlight the urgent need, as outlined in the Nunavut Land
Claims Agreement, to establish facilities in the Nunavut Settlement Area for
the conservation and management of the cultural assets of Nunavummiut,” said
Minister Arreak. “I am pleased that today’s meeting provided an opportunity
for Ikajuqtigiinniq (working together for a common cause) in our efforts to
celebrate, preserve and promote our joint and individual cultures, histories
and heritages.”
“We all agree that culture and heritage are essential to our country’s
social and economic development. Our governments are investing in innovative
and meaningful initiatives to help our communities grow and to enrich the
lives of all Canadians,” said Minister Glover. “The approach of Canada’s
150th anniversary, in 2017, is an opportunity to celebrate all the
accomplishments that have contributed to making Canada a remarkable
country.”
During the course of the meeting, the ministers discussed the latest
economic data on culture developed through a joint effort of all
governments. The data produced by Statistics Canada reveals that the culture
gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009 increased to $49.9 billion, which
accounts for 3.4 percent of the total GDP. This amount provides clear and
concrete evidence of the importance of the cultural sector to the Canadian
economy.
As host province of the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games,
Ontario reiterated its offer for all jurisdictions to help make the event a
celebration of Canadian culture, creativity and pride through participation
in its Pavilion.
At the invitation of the Honourable Robert L. Henderson, Prince Edward
Island Minister of Tourism and Culture, the ministers will meet in 2014 to
again share their views on various cultural and heritage issues. This
meeting will coincide with the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the
Charlottetown Conference, which laid the foundation for Confederation.
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Media contacts:
Leevede Atagoyuk
Manager of Communications
Department of Culture and Heritage
Government of Nunavut
1-867-975-5526
latagoyuk@gov.nu.ca |
Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
Government of Canada
819-994-9101
1-866-569-6155
media@pch.gc.ca |