Round-Table Meeting On Culture
OTTAWA, January 23, 1997 -- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced that she has invited a group of prominent Canadians active in culture and communications to participate in a national round-table discussion about Canadian cultural policy for the 21st century. The meeting will be held in Ottawa on February 9 and 10.The round table will focus on the federal Government's current cultural policy instruments and how they should be adapted and renewed for the longer term.
"My goal is to build and strengthen a national consensus on how the federal Government can best support and encourage Canadian cultural activity and Canada's cultural industries," said
Minister Copps. "Canadians want to buy Canadian books and music, watch Canadian films and TV programs, attend Canadian dance and theatre, and go to Canadian museums."
"I have invited to the round table a cross section of leaders in the cultural sector, chosen for their expertise and experiences in various fields," added the Minister. "Our discussions will be an important first step towards a full and balanced airing of the issues we face and options for addressing them."
Canada's cultural sector has seen significant growth and success over the last several years. Overall, the sector employs almost a million Canadians and makes a $29.6 billion direct contribution to the economy.
"A constructive partnership between the federal government and the cultural sector is essential if we are to build on this growth and ensure that the right mix of policies are in place as we move forward towards the next millennium," said Ms. Copps.
Information:
Julia Arnsby
Press Secretary
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
and Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
List of Participants invited to
Minister's Round-Table on Culture
The Honourable Perrin Beatty
President
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Mr. John Kim Bell
President
Native Arts Foundation
Ms. Claude Benoit
Director
McCord Museum of Canadian History
Mr. Simon Brault
Executive Director
National Theatre School
Mr. Michel J. Carter
Vice-President & General Manager
Cogeco Radio-Télévision Inc.
Mr. John Cassaday
President and Chief Executive Officer
CTV Television Network Ltd.
Ms. Maureen Cavan
Publisher
Saturday Night
Mr. Gordon Craig
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
NetStar Communications
Mr. Alexander Crawley
President
Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television & Radio Artists
Mr. Michael Donovan
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Salter Street Films
Mr. Peter Grant
Senior Partner, McCarthy Tétrault
Barristers & Solicitors
Mr. John Hobday
Executive Director
The Samuel and Saidye Bronfman Family FoundationMr. Keith Kelly
National Director
Canadian Conference of the Arts
Mr. Richard Laferrière
Le Groupe Coscient Inc.
Mr. Robert Lantos
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer
Alliance Communications Corporation
Mr. Philip B. Lind
Vice-Chairman
Rogers Communications Inc.
Mr. René Malo
Malofilm Productions Inc.
Mr. John McLennan
President and CEO
Bell Canada
Mr. Scott McIntyre
President & Publisher
Douglas & McIntyre Greystone and Groundwood Books
Mr. Alexander Mair
President
Attic Music Group
Ms. Ellie O'Day
Executive Director
Pacific Music Industry Association
Mr. David Silcox
c/o Massey College
Ms. Candace Stevenson
Executive Director
Nova Scotia Museum
Mr. Jim Shaw, Jr.
President
Shaw Communications Inc.
Dr. Shirley L. Thomson
Director
National Gallery of Canada
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