OTTAWA-GATINEAU — The Department of Canadian Heritage announced today it is postponing a national summit on arts, culture and heritage that was announced last month and was originally scheduled to take place in Ottawa on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1.
The focus of the two-day summit was to be on the arts and cultural sectors’ recovery from the pandemic.
“Due to recent developments in the Covid-19 pandemic, we have refocused our attention on the immediate challenges facing Canadian artists and cultural workers,” says Canadian Heritage minister Pablo Rodriguez in a statement released by the department.
“The Government of Canada will continue to support artists, cultural workers and their sector through the challenges they now face and collaborate with them to identify timely support for these immediate issues.”
The in-person summit will take place “once public health measures allow face-to-face meetings to occur safely,” Rodriguez says.
“At that time, we can all reflect on the post-Covid recovery and long-term competitiveness of Canada’s arts sector. We will have meaningful conversations on measures and initiatives for a sustainable recovery, the return of visitors and the engagement of new audiences, the role of digital platforms, the contribution of cultural sectors to reconciliation, the fight against climate change and how we can build a more just and inclusive society.”
Although the summit has been postponed, “dialogue with our artists and cultural workers continues to be my utmost priority,” Rodriguez adds.
“Over the next couple of weeks, I will continue to meet with artists, technical and production people, creative professionals, producers and presenters to listen to their challenges and determine how the Government of Canada can continue to provide support.”
For the minister’s full statement, please click here.
