1. Culture, Diversity and Social Benefits – The Canadian Experience
Presentation at the Seventh Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities of the OAS
Gordon Platt
Senior Director
Department of Canadian Heritage
November 17, 2016

2. “Canadian culture, heritage, language and sport are key drivers of Canada's economy, and play a central role in Canada's diverse, inclusive and innovative society…culture and heritage represent approximately $47.7 billion in the Canadian economy, and over 642,486 jobs*. This will only grow as a share of Canada's economic activity as new digital technologies open the door to new pathways for creativity and innovation.” The Honourable Mélanie Joly, P.C., M.P *$54.6 billion and 630,483 jobs in 2014

3. Cultural Policy Context
One of the most diverse countries in the world, with two official languages and aboriginal communities, sharing a border with the US – a global cultural powerhouse
No single national identity
Relatively small, dispersed population; no economies of scale relative to major competitors
Canada’s government regards these challenges as strengths - as our Prime Minister likes to say, “Diversity is our great strength”

4. Indigenous Peoples in Canada
The size of the Indigenous population was 1,400,685 in 2011
Indigenous people accounted for 4.3% of the total population of Canada enumerated in 2011, up from 3.8% in 2006.
Relative to much of the rest of the population, they face significant socio-economic and cultural challenges

5. Data according to the latest census in 2011
The Canadian Mosaic
Data according to the latest census in 2011

6. Policy toolkit
The mandate of Canadian Heritage – which includes culture, heritage, social inclusion, multiculturalism, sports and official languages - draws on universal rationales about the social and economic benefits of arts and culture
Canada's broad cultural policy goals – that Canadians have access to a rich and diverse range of Canadian cultural expressions – is delivered through a range of cultural policy instruments:
Legislation and Regulation
e.g. Copyright Act, Broadcasting Act, Official Languages Act, Multiculturalism Act, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
Financial support through departmental programs or arms-length funding agencies, such as the Canada Council for the Arts and Telefilm Canada
Tax incentives
National institutions
e.g. National museums, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Library and Archives Canada

7. Current priorities Connecting Canadians through language and culture
Official languages (English and French) and indigenous languages
Helping Canada’s creative and cultural industries drive Canada’s economic growth
Promoting an open, modern and inclusive government for all Canadians across our vast cultural diversity
Celebrating Canada’s 150th Anniversary in 2017
Modernizing our cultural policy tool kit in light of the challenges and opportunities that digitization presents
National reconciliation with our indigenous peoples, that have been treated unjustly in the past

8. Benefits of Canadian investments
Public investment in culture, multiculturalism, and official languages over the past 50 years has paid off
Canada enjoys an enviable level of economic prosperity, with culture as one of the cornerstones
$54.6B and 630,483 jobs (2014)
Canadians value human rights and respect for diversity
Canada enjoys a considerable level of social stability and sense of inclusion

9. Economic prosperity: contribution of cultural goods and services, and sport to Canada’s economy (2014)
Written and published works – $9.7B
Audio-visual and interactive media - $18.4B
Sound recording - $560.8M
Live performance - $2.5B
Visual and applied arts - $11.2B
Heritage and libraries - $833.0M
Sport - $5.8B

10. Diversity, identity and inclusion
SECRET
Diversity, identity and inclusion
Recognizing multiple identities
“National” identity is only one identity, not always
primary
Competing narratives of Canadian identity have emerged and faded away in different historical periods
Identity formation is subjective, based on
recognition
Mutual recognition
Modern struggles for rights and respect
Treaties, formal recognition of identities (Québecois nation) and state apologies (especially for past state exclusion and assimilation)
Japanese-Canadian Interment Camps
Chinese Head Tax
Indian Residential Schools

11. Diversity, identity and inclusion
SECRET
Diversity, identity and inclusion
Canadians are amongst the most likely to say they are “Very proud” of their country (World Values Survey 2009)
Canada 70%, Australia 69%, US 65%, UK 54%, France 30%, Japan 22%
Canadians’ sense of belonging to their community, to their province and to Canada have all been rising over the past decade (Statistics Canada, General Social Survey )
The general population’s sense of belonging to Canada (90%) and total sense of pride in being Canadian (very proud + somewhat proud) (84%) are both higher than ever before (GSS 2013)
85% of Canadians believe ethnic and cultural diversity is a value Canadians share to a great or moderate extent
Youth under 24 show the highest support amongst any age group for key Canadian values of multiculturalism, official languages and respect for Aboriginal culture (GSS 2013)

12. Department of Canadian Heritage
THANK YOU
Gordon Platt
Senior Director
Department of Canadian Heritage