MONTREAL — The Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE) and the Department of Communication of the Université de Montréal announced today they are organizing a federal candidates debate on cultural issues to be held on Sept. 13 at noon.
The debate will be moderated by Catherine Perrin and broadcast on CPAC’s website and television channel.
The federal candidates who have confirmed their participation include Pascale St-Onge (Liberal Party), Steve Shanahan (Conservative Party), Martin Champoux (Bloc Québécois) and Alexandre Boulerice (NDP). The Green Party has been invited to the debate but has not yet designated a representative, says a CDCE press release.
The CDCE notes the cultural sector has been among the hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, with significant declines in operating revenues and labour-related expenses, according to a recent Statistics Canada report cited in the press release.
“This crisis will continue to have a significant impact on the sector in the years ahead and will require a commensurate policy response,” reads the release.
“The topics of the debate are varied and will allow the different political parties to share with the public their commitments to adapting funding and support measures, as well as modernizing cultural policies (broadcasting, copyright), which were already largely unsuited to the context of digital broadcasting before the pandemic,” the release continues.
“Over the past year and a half, there has been an increased awareness of how fundamental access to culture is to the well-being of individuals and the community. The organizers hope that this debate will bring the attention that this important sector deserves to the election campaign.”
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