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Senate Bill

Bill S-208

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
October 06, 2022
Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada Act
  • This bill, called the Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada Act, aims to recognize and affirm the importance of artists and creative expression in Canadian society. It requires the Minister of Canadian Heritage to develop an action plan to implement the Declaration, which includes consulting with various government ministers, artists, organizations, and Indigenous peoples. The action plan will focus on measures to support and promote the arts, improve access to artistic events and collections, enhance artistic education for all Canadians, protect artists' rights and intellectual property, increase representation of artists in public life, and encourage investment in the arts. The Minister must present an annual report on the implementation of the action plan to Parliament.
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • Steelman Argument: The Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada recognizes the fundamental importance of artists and the arts in Canadian society. By affirming the Declaration and implementing it through this Act, the Government of Canada can promote and support artists, ensuring that all Canadians have equal opportunities to access and enjoy art. The Act highlights the need to respect and promote the role of artists in order to enhance the vitality and development of English and French linguistic minority communities. It also emphasizes the importance of considering the diversity of Indigenous peoples and their artistic traditions. The Act establishes an action plan to give expression to the Declaration, requiring the Minister of Canadian Heritage to consult with relevant ministers, provincial governments, artists, organizations, and other interested parties. This extensive consultation process

SteelmanSpren Against

  • Steelman Argument Opposing Bill S-208: While recognizing the importance of artists and creative expression, there are concerns about the implementation and potential consequences of Bill S-208. 1. Government Overreach: This bill gives the Government of Canada significant authority in implementing the Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada. There is a risk that the government will overreach in its involvement in artistic affairs, potentially stifling creativity and limiting artists' freedoms. 2. Lack of Clarity: The Declaration and the bill do not provide clear definitions or guidelines regarding what constitutes artistic expression. This lack of clarity could result in subjective interpretations and potential conflicts, leading to restrictions and contradictions in the implementation process. 3. Implications for Indigenous Art: While the bill acknowledges the diversity of Indigenous peoples an
Senate Third Reading
  • April 24, 2023, 11 a.m.
  • Passed
House First Reading
  • Oct. 19, 2022, 6:23 p.m.
  • In Progress
  • Read

Senate Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 20, 2022
Social Affairs, Science and Technology (SOCI)
Re. Bill S-208, An Act respecting the Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada, with amendments …
  • Ninth Report

  • The Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology has the honour to present its

    NINTH REPORT

    Your committee, to which was referred Bill S-208, An Act respecting the Declaration on the Essential Role of Artists and Creative Expression in Canada, has, in obedience to the order of reference of April 7, 2022, examined the said bill and now reports the same with the following amendments:

    1.Preamble, page 1: Add the following after line 12:

    “Whereas English-speaking artists and French-speaking artists, as integral parts of the two official language communities of Canada, should have equal opportunities to pursue their artistic endeavours in order to enhance the vitality and development of English and French linguistic minority communities;”.

    2.Clause 4, page 2:

    (a) Add the following after line 18:

    “(d.1) the Minister responsible for official languages;”;

    (b) add the following after line 24:

    “(g.1) French-speaking artists and organizations representing those artists;

    (g.2) artists who represent the ethnic and racial diversity and all other diversities of Canada and organizations that work on their behalf;”.

    Your committee has also made certain observations, which are appended to this report.

    Respectfully submitted,

    RATNA OMIDVAR

    Chair

    Observations to the ninth report of the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (Bill S-208)

    Observation 1

    Although invited, your committee did not hear from the Department of Canadian Heritage on Bill S-208. As such, your committee did not gain perspectives on the impact of this legislation on departmental policies and programs.

    Observation 2

    Your committee heard of the need for the Government of Canada to develop a national cultural policy framework in consultation with the provinces and territories, and with all arts groups.

    Observation 3

    Your committee heard that the Government of Canada should ensure equitable funding for both emerging artists and organizations and established artists and organizations.

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Senate Second Reading
  • April 7, 2022, 5:10 p.m.
  • Passed
Senate First Reading
  • Nov. 24, 2021, midnight
  • Passed