Bigrex said:
Ask the summer festivals that had to go without funding from Ottawa if they are getting the job done. Ask the conservationists if they are getting the job done.
Tories launch revamped sponsorship program
DANIEL LEBLANC AND VAL ROSS
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
September 13, 2007 at 4:04 AM EDT
OTTAWA, TORONTO — The Harper government replaced the sponsorship program that brought down the previous Liberal government in a storm of scandal, launching a $30-million initiative Wednesday to sprinkle cash to hundreds of community festivals across the country.
"We're absolutely not going in the same direction," Heritage Minister Josée Verner said in an interview.
"It will be done in a transparent and efficient way, and the advantage is that all regions of the country will benefit, which was not the case under the previous regime," she said.
The complete criteria for applicants has yet to be released, but among the rules that will need to be met is approval from a municipality.
Of the $30-million in new money, $18-million will go to a new program, Building Communities through Arts and Heritage, to support performing and visual arts events that "express, celebrate and preserve local heritage."
Small-town agricultural fairs, for example, could get up to $200,000 each to fund their activities.
"It's good news," said David Bednar, president of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, reached at the Arran-Tara Fair near Chatsworth, Ont. "Here at Arran-Tara, they're celebrating their 150th anniversary, and I'm sure they'd like new bleachers."
The government is also spending $7.4-million a year to top up an existing program, Arts Presentation Canada, to bring professional artists to larger festivals. The new money will bring the program's budget to $20-million a year, up from $12.5-million.
Luc Fournier, co-chairman of the Canadian Festivals Coalition lobby group, said he was disappointed with the announcement, having hoped for broader, less arts-specific criteria.
"We've created a program to give money to an existing program. Why?" he asked. "I am very disappointed."
Still, Gilbert Rozon, founder of the Just for Laughs festival, said it certainly is a "step in the right direction," especially if his event qualifies for the top grant of $1-million.
Alain Simard, whose Spectra group organizes major cultural events in Montreal, said the influx of "new money is very good news."
The balance of the new money, $4.6-million, will be available to pay for infrastructure costs related to major community anniversaries (100 years old or more) of a "locally significant historical event or person." The eligibility criteria specifically mention band and tribal councils for that program.
"They have rarely been able to get Heritage support in the past, and we know there are festivals in aboriginal communities that can benefit," a departmental spokesperson said.
The Liberals killed the sponsorship program in late 2003 before launching the Gomery inquiry that concluded in late 2005 that the national-unity initiative was at the heart of a Liberal kickback scheme. The Liberal government of Paul Martin fell shortly after that report's publication.
In addition, four people involved in the program have been found guilty of fraud.
In the 2007 budget, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty pledged $30-million a year for a new program to support heritage festivals. It was assumed that because most events take place in late spring and summer, the money would be disbursed quickly.
Instead, Canadian Heritage stalled after the Conservatives, who had promised to cleanse politics of Liberal-style patronage slush funds, were accused of plotting to direct the money to Tory ridings.
Amid the outcry, Heritage said it needed time to develop fair criteria for fund applicants.
Ms. Verner said the announcement of the new program has nothing to do with the three by-elections in the province on Monday. The Bloc Québécois angrily rejected the replacement program as inadequate.
Guess we got that one sorted, next.
MOD EDIT: fixed the quote box
