The Open Access Government charts the Canadian Government’s policy priorities on arts and culture, focusing on examples that support cultural spaces, museums and creative professionals
Pascale St. Onghe, Minister of Canadian Heritage, believes that arts and culture promote unity, bring people together, ignite creativity and imagination, and strengthen the well-being of Canadian communities. (1)
Did you know that February 15th, 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Canadian flag? The Canadian flag represents Canada’s excellence at all performance venues and cultural centres. Canadian artists will showcase their talent to the world at museums and festivals celebrating their heritage. Additionally, creators share stories across all stages and screens, highlighting their Canadian identity. (2)
This smoothly transitions to an example of how the Canadian government supports the arts and culture. Particularly by promoting cultural spaces and museums and supporting creative professionals.
Canadian cultural spaces and museums
Cultural spaces play an important role in Canada’s vibrant communities. They serve as a place to run, create, display, store and collect works that reflect Canadian identity. These spaces develop a sense of belonging and bring people together. In January 2025, Jenica Atwin, Minister of Indigenous Services, and Congressman (Fredericton), announced funding from the Canadian Fund for Cultural Spaces for Five Cultural Organizations in New Brunswick.
“Museums, theatres and cultural spaces will allow us to better reflect our community when we have modern infrastructure and equipment. To help our communities achieve this goal, our government is helping us with innovation and essential upgrades to cultural facilities,” says St-Onge. (3)
In November 2024, Minister St-Onge announced the formation of an advisory committee to guide review and updates of interpretive exhibitions and written texts at the National Holocaust Memorial in Ottawa. The initiative aims to increase the importance of Canadians’ perception of the Holocaust and combating hatred in all forms.
“The memory of the Holocaust must be preserved to ensure that lessons from the past will never be forgotten. The National Holocaust Monuments commemorate the six million Jews and millions of other victims of the Nazi regime, while also reminding of the resilience and remarkable contributions of Canadian Minister St. Ozigue’s Holocaust survivors.
The Advisory Committee will comprehensively review the interpretive elements of the monument and provide recommendations to the Canadian Minister of Heritage in 2025. (4)
The cultural space tells stories and offers people of all ages the opportunity to discover and appreciate the rich heritage of Canada. In August 2023, Peter Frasiskatos, a member of the Parliament (London North Centre), announced funding for the London Children’s Museum on behalf of Minister St. Onge. This investment will allow you to create new areas for interactive exhibitions and practical programming at the Children’s Museum in London, allowing you to explore history, science and art through more than 7,000 artifacts.
“Children’s Museum is a great institution in Canada, allowing children and their families to come together to learn about culture, history and art. Our government is proud to support a space where Canadians of all ages can enjoy the arts and heritage in their communities. (5)
Support creative professionals
In February 2025, Minister St-Onge announced Canada’s strong commitment to protecting social cohesion, identity and cultural heritage essential to peace in the digital age. The Canadian government aims to ensure that all cultural expressions are valued in the daily lives of Canadians, and is dedicated to maintaining cultural sovereignty over the influence of the digital giant.
Canada also highlights the importance of collective action to maintain the values of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of Diversity of Cultural Expression, ensuring that a digital environment promotes cultural diversity.
“We are reaching new steps in the protection and promotion of cultural diversity. Canada recognizes the urgency to take action to maintain a rich cultural expression in a ever-changing world. (6)
The Canadian Government is helping Canadian creative organizations and businesses increase visibility and export revenue in the global market. This initiative
It benefits both Canadian creative experts and their economy.
In February 2025, Congress Secretary Taleeb Nohmohamed announced his investment in IP’s Racial Equity Screen Office (RESO) beyond its project, accelerators. The purpose of this project is to empower racialized, independent Canadian producers by helping them find intellectual property buyers in the audiovisual industry.
“We are extremely proud that Vancouver organizations like Reso are committed to supporting racialized creators who build new opportunities in the creative industry that will impact future generations. (7)
When cultural institutions and universities work together, they create a dynamic environment where art and knowledge converge. This partnership strengthens education, enables cultural access and strengthens community ties. This is a good note to end this analysis of art and culture. Therefore, it is appropriate that in February 2025, the Secretary of State No Mohamed announced his investment in the Chan Performing Arts Centre at the University of British Columbia.
“The Chan Centre is the cornerstone of Vancouver’s culture and education. It plays an important role in bringing together artists, students, and people who are passionate about creativity and sharing,” Minister St-Onge said.
“This investment reflects the government’s commitment to providing Canadians with access to exceptional cultural and educational opportunities within their communities, supporting the next generation of performers” (8)
This article was written in late February 2025.
reference
https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/02/minister-st-ongeannounce-pointment-of-cheryl-hickman-as-the-the-the-the-thecanada-council-for-the-the-the-the-the-the-the-the-the-the-the-the-the-the-the- https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/02/statement-byminister-st-onge-on-60th-niversary-ofthe-national-flag-of-canada.html https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/01/government-ofcanada-invests-more-28million-in-cultural-infrastructure-newbrunswick.html https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2024/11/minister-st-ongeannounce-the-creation-the-creation-the-an-renew-the-reptile-exhibit-canadas-national-holocaust-monument.html https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2023/08/government-of-canada-supports-the-london-childrens-museum.html https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/02/the-government of-canada-calls-for-stronger-international-coperation-on-digital-venanceat-unesco.html https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/02/government-of-canada-helps-helps-equity-equity-screen-office-suc on the world-stage.html https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/news/2025/02/the-governments of canada-centre-for-the-the-forming-in-vancouver.
