Press release - Economic brief filed with the Ministry of Culture and Communications
12 juin 2020 |
PARTAGER :
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release
Montreal, Friday, June 12, 2020 - In anticipation of the Quebec government's complementary budget statement, expected by the end of June, the Conseil québécois du théâtre (CQT) submitted an economic brief yesterday to the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications (MCC) that lays out four specific requests for economic funding needed to support the theatre community in its transition to recovery. This document was produced following discussions held on June 3 and 5 between Minister Nathalie Roy, Deputy Minister Marie Gendron and representatives of the Pour les arts vivants group, Théâtres associés inc., the Association des diffuseurs spécialisés en théâtre and the CQT. Following these meetings, the CQT was mandated to present the MCC with a document detailing the needs indicated in the scenarios for the resumption of theatre activities tabled on May 15.
The CQT's economic brief makes four requests :
The precariousness of artists and cultural workers is the primary issue at stake in these measures requested as the human factor remains the heart of all the CQT's concerns. These four demands are fundamental to ensure an adequate recovery and revival of the entire theatre sector. They are based on in-depth consultation within the community.
The CQT thanks the MCC for listening to these requests and the conscientious collaboration shown in order to better understand the particularities of the theatre ecosystem.
For immediate release
Economic brief filed
with the Ministry of Culture and Communications
Montreal, Friday, June 12, 2020 - In anticipation of the Quebec government's complementary budget statement, expected by the end of June, the Conseil québécois du théâtre (CQT) submitted an economic brief yesterday to the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications (MCC) that lays out four specific requests for economic funding needed to support the theatre community in its transition to recovery. This document was produced following discussions held on June 3 and 5 between Minister Nathalie Roy, Deputy Minister Marie Gendron and representatives of the Pour les arts vivants group, Théâtres associés inc., the Association des diffuseurs spécialisés en théâtre and the CQT. Following these meetings, the CQT was mandated to present the MCC with a document detailing the needs indicated in the scenarios for the resumption of theatre activities tabled on May 15.
The CQT's economic brief makes four requests :
1. Financial support to offset losses related to lower ticket sales, either $17 million (situation if physical distance measures are in effect until December) or $30 million (if the entire next season must be carried out according to the physical distance standards in effect).
This support, the content of which to needs be known in June, must be pegged to the revenues of a regular season. In addition, it is essential that theatres be able to use this support with flexibility to meet their specific needs.
2. A one-time investment of $25 million to offset the loss of other revenues incurred, in donations, sponsorships and other essential operating revenues.
3. The extension of the federal government’s Canada Emergency Benefit (ECP) for cultural workers, thereby allowing support for fees and compensating artists and cultural workers for the loss of contracts and commitments, which represents $15 million over a period of six months. The extension of the Emergency Wage Subsidy is also requested for organizations in the cultural sector. The provincial government's support is a determining factor in our request to the federal government to extend these two programs.
4. An investment of $50 million to be used to support artistic research, creation and innovation for the first phase. This process is not only the very basis of our work, but also of our expertise. Secondly, this investment will support the community in the execution of health protection measures and in the implementation of a campaign to invite the public to return to our venues.
The precariousness of artists and cultural workers is the primary issue at stake in these measures requested as the human factor remains the heart of all the CQT's concerns. These four demands are fundamental to ensure an adequate recovery and revival of the entire theatre sector. They are based on in-depth consultation within the community.
The CQT thanks the MCC for listening to these requests and the conscientious collaboration shown in order to better understand the particularities of the theatre ecosystem.
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CONTACT
Marine Gauthier
Communications Coordinator
Conseil québécois du théâtre
cqt@cqt.qc.ca