Giving More Support to the Confederation Centre; The Centre Could Have the Same Economic Success as Stratford if it had Serious Investment from Ottawa

Stephen Harper's administration inherited a massive budget surplus of $12 billion from the former Liberal government. So why, in its first budget did it cancel the $5.8-million funding for Confederation Centre of the Arts?

The $5.8-million agreement to fund the Confederation Centre, similar to the $30-million cable agreement for Prince Edward Island, was approved prior to the election of the Harper administration. Mr. Harper reversed the policy and did not keep the promise made by the government of Canada. Now Islanders and the Island tourism industry will suffer long-term pain because of his decision.

The importance of the Confederation Centre to Island tourism is well known. Many visitors come to Prince Edward Island specifically for events at the Confederation Centre. The centre also provides an important local service. As most Islanders know, many concerts, art classes, school events and other entertainment activities take place at the centre throughout the year. These events enrich our community. In turn, the centre provides a professional environment for future cultural development.

The cultural industry has become big business in North America. The best example in Canada is Stratford, where a small Ontario town has become an economic powerhouse. If it can be done in Stratford, why not Charlottetown?

In the fiscal year ending in 2004, the Stratford Festival generated spending of over $125 million and created thousands of jobs in the area. The yearly wages of Stratford employees is more than $50 million. During the same time, the Confederation Centre of the Arts employed 60 permanent, 158 seasonal and 80 seasonal artistic positions.

The Confederation Centre will only achieve success similar to the Stratford Festival if the government of Canada makes a substantial financial investment to launch the Charlottetown Festival to an internationally acclaimed level of excellence.

As is the case in Stratford, the theatre and cultural attractions will bring thousands of new tourists to the province. The investment in the Confederation Centre will be easily regained by new economic activities which will generate additional jobs and taxes and provide greater support to local businesses.

The Confederation Centre of the Arts is a first-class facility. The opportunities for expansion and growth at the centre are unlimited. So, the elements are there to duplicate the success of others and strengthen our cultural sector. Alternatively, we can continue to worry year to year if enough conferences or conventions will save our tourism industry for another season.

The federal government investment of $5.8 million was necessary to build on the recent success at the Confederation Centre and for the overall expansion and growth of cultural investment in Prince Edward Island.

Premier Binns should pick up the telephone and call Peter MacKay and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and get this $5.8 million returned to the Confederation Centre of the Arts. Then, we can get on with the job of moving from one success to another, instead of shrinking our Island cultural industry.