Debates of March 17, 2004 (day 2)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the honourable Member responsible for RWED brought to my attention an initiative that was called integrated arts strategy to support art and culture in the NWT. Part of this strategy is designed to bring support to the arts and craft industry. Current and immediate actions proposed in the integrated arts strategy are supported by having raw materials and equipment available for people out there. This strategy, as the honourable Member stated in his letter to me, is to be completed by early 2004. Since the time is nearing, my question for the Minister of RWED is what is the present status of this initiative and how does the Minister see this initiative being rolled out?

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 16-15(3): Integrated Arts Strategy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to thank the Member for bringing this question to the House and also for raising this prior to today with me. I’ve had a chance to discuss this with the department and, as the Member knows, our department is working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment to roll out this integrated arts strategy, and we are optimistic that by summer we will have this integrated arts strategy and be able to articulate our vision for meeting some of the gaps that we see in current arts support and development.

Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 16-15(3): Integrated Arts Strategy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I wanted to thank the Minister for recognizing that there are gaps in the system, because that leads me very nicely into my next question. What is the Minister’s plan to ensure that the gaps are filled for supplying raw materials to the public out there who wish to continue the traditional lifestyle of the arts and craft industry? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 16-15(3): Integrated Arts Strategy

Thank you. I will acknowledge that there are gaps in our support where the traditional economy is concerned, but I’d also like to highlight the fact that the Department of RWED does offer grants to small businesses. Arts and crafts businesses are absolutely eligible and do qualify and we have given grants in the past to the arts sector. In addition, we have the business development fund which provides contributions of up to $25,000 for a wide range of business needs. Arts businesses would obviously qualify, as well, here.

So I think we haven’t been excluding the arts and crafts sector. Can we do more? Yes, I believe we can. The Member has proposed something to do with raw materials and I will give the Member my commitment that we’ll address this in some manner in the upcoming strategy.

I would say that we’re not in the position to get into the game of outright subsidies for raw materials. I think that will cause us problems. Any time you get into the free market and start to distort the pricing of these products, I don’t think that probably is somewhere that we want to go. I’m not proposing that we will do that, but we will discuss the availability of raw materials. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mr. Hawkins.

Supplementary To Question 16-15(3): Integrated Arts Strategy

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Could the Minister provide all the Members of the Assembly the action plan that will show the steps to be taken to complete this initiative and how his department plans to maintain this strategy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister of RWED, Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 16-15(3): Integrated Arts Strategy

Yes, I will do that. The action plan was submitted to and approved by Cabinet of the past government in August 2003, and then Minister Jake Ootes tabled a response in the House in October 2003. Now we’re talking about the planned development of the integrated arts strategy and we will articulate the implementation of that and I’ll make sure that all Members have a copy of that. Thank you.