[Cacs] Fw: DFAIT--pass it on

[Ric Knowles]

----- Forwarded message from jody.berland at sympatico.ca -----
     Date: Mon, 21 May 2007 12:33:53 -0400
     From: Jody Berland <jody.berland at sympatico.ca>
Reply-To: Jody Berland <jody.berland at sympatico.ca>
  Subject: [Cacs] Fw: DFAIT--pass it on
       To: CACS <cacs at mailman.srv.ualberta.ca>



  Begin forwarded message:


> The Harper government has approved a $11.9 million
> budget cut to Department of Foreign Affairs and
> International Trade (DFAIT) that will represent 100%
> withdrawal of the Public Diplomacy budget funds over
> the next two years.
>
> What does this mean to you? For one, Canadian
> Embassies across the globe will either have ZERO or
> minimal budget to finanically assist  artists abroad.
> This affects Canadian art across the board e.g. visual
> art, theatre, film, music, authors and YOU having a
> show in another country.
>
> Please do not accept this lying down.
>
> Visit http://www.petitiononline.com/DFAIT07/ to sign
> this petition and pass it on... the text of the
> petition is below:
>
> To:  Government of Canada
> The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of
> Canada. The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance
> The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign
> Affairs, The Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage
>
> We are writing in response to the announcement of cuts
> to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International
> Trade (DFAIT) for Public Diplomacy. This funding
> currently supports the creation, dissemination and
> promotion of Canadian arts, Canadian cultural
> initiatives, and business opportunities for Canadian
> artists internationally. The health and expansion of
> existing international networks depend on DFAIT
> funding not only to create opportunities for artists
> to participate in an expanded, global economy, but
> also to bring professionals and key decision-makers
> from abroad to Canada to create and promote cultural
> exchange and business opportunities here at home.
>
> The $11.9 million cut over two years represents a 100%
> withdrawal of the Public Diplomacy budget funds that
> would normally enable Canadians to participate in
> international festivals, exhibitions, concert and
> lecture tours, dance and theatre productions,
> conferences, and academic exchanges. These cuts to the
> Public Diplomacy budget will jeopardize Canada's
> longstanding international reputation as a free and
> democratic nation with a commitment to supporting
> Canadian values through its arts.
>
> We believe that fiscal responsibility involves
> securing our long-term investments into the arts and
> cultural industries in Canada, and that sustaining
> Canadian culture abroad is an effective and productive
> use of our tax dollars. The effects of the Public
> Diplomacy cuts are aimed at hard-working Canadians who
> depend on international recognition to succeed in
> their field. This withdrawal of support to diplomatic
> funding is particularly disconcerting considering that
> other governments are continuously increasing their
> Public Diplomacy funding, such as the United States,
> which has tripled its efforts in cultural diplomacy
> since 2001.
>
> We, the undersigned, would like to see the
> international dissemination of Canadian culture and
> values maintained as a priority for Canadians. We urge
> you to reverse your decision to cut these funds to the
> Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.





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----- End forwarded message -----


Ric Knowles
Professor of Theatre Studies
School of English and Theatre Studies
202 Massey Hall
University of Guelph
Guelph, ON
N1G 2W1

ph: 519-824-4120, x52931
FAX: 519-824-0560