Untapped Potential For The Arts Exist In Nepean-Carleton, Says Cooke

 OTTAWA – The Green Party of Canada candidate for Nepean-Carleton is highlighting the need to invest in the arts as a means of facilitating economic growth and cultural expression.

Bells Corners resident Jean-Luc Cooke says that the arts community represents “an enormous resource that continues to go unrealized by both Conservative and Liberal governments.  For every dollar that is placed in the arts, we generate seven in tax revenue.”

“In addition to the great economic boost given us, the creative arts define our communities in ways that shape us in the minds of others. Our best ambassadors are commonly our writers, music bands, performers, and painters. These artists have much to give the world but we need to facilitate their nurturing and growth,” says Cooke.

“More people are employed in the arts than in the forestry and auto industries combined. Arts and culture are a crucial aspect of developing a harmonious diverse society. The arts teach a variety of vital life skills from inventive problem solving to discipline to multiple forms of literacy, including verbal, visual, musical and spatial,” declares Cooke.

Accordingly, Green Party MPs will:

- Increase funding to all of Canada’s arts and culture organizations including the Canada Council for the Arts, Telefilm Canada, orchestras, theatres and publishers.
- Provide stable base funding for the CBC so it can continue to provide quality Canadian content in both official languages for Canadians.
- Enact legislation that requires cinemas and video providers to have at least 20% Canadian content.
- Ensure that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) reserves more bandwidth for independent and on-profit stations.
- Increase support for community arts programs and facilities across Canada by establishing stable base funding at a set percentage of the federal budget.
- Provide incentives to all provinces and territories to restore and improve arts and culture components to schools and extra-curricular activities not only in urban but also in rural areas.

“The people of our communities here in Nepean-Carleton are as talented as anywhere else. If elected on May 2, I will be a tireless advocate of the arts as a means of helping us reach our remarkable potential,” commented Cooke.
 
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For more information, please contact:

Jean-Luc Cooke
Small Business Critic
Green Party of Canada Candidate for Nepean-Carleton
Phone: 613-800-0571
Email: jean-luc.cooke@greenparty.ca