The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, P.C.
Minister of Canadian Heritage
15 Eddy Street
12th Floor
Gatineau QC K1A 0M5

Dear Minister Oda:

After carefully reviewing the recent announcement on funding for the Confederation Centre of the Arts, I feel compelled to express my grave disappointment.

As you know, the previous government committed $5.8-million in additional funding to the Confederation Centre back in November of 2005. The beneficiaries of this announcement - the arts community, both in Prince Edward Island and elsewhere in Canada - greeted this announcement with a great deal of enthusiasm. They were firmly of the opinion that this additional funding would permit the Centre to take a more active role in the creation and promotion of educational activities.

Therefore, it was with some dismay that I discovered that the current government is still refusing to commit to a level of funding that was judged necessary by the Island arts community - and in fact, is providing only about 20 per cent of the target set last year.

In other words, the shortfall in new resources you recently announced is still $4.7-million short of the figure that was committed in November of 2005.

I would like you to revisit your recent announcement, and find the resources required to meet the $5.8-million commitment made to the Confederation Centre of the Arts last November.

The dedicated individuals who were counting on that money can still do a tremendous job with limited funds - but I can assure you, they could do so much more with the resources that were committed.

Sincerely,

Percy E. Downe
Senator