June 8, 2006

Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe is concerned that the Harper Government is spending the $5.8 million they cut from the budget of the Confederation Centre of the Arts on other cultural institutions across Canada.

“In the past two weeks, the Federal Government has announced new funding for arts and culture across Ontario and I am curious if this is the money originally promised to the Confederation Centre and cut from the Conservative’s first budget” said Downe.

The Government has just recently announced funding of $450,000 for the Stratford Festival, $130,000 for the Franco-Ontario Festival and $25 million for the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto. While these are all well deserving recipients, they are no more deserving than the Confederation Centre, which is depending on additional federal support to improve its facilities and continue its important work.

Downe has urged Prime Minister Harper to reverse his decision and restore the full funding that was promised to the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Prince Edward Island.