Canadia's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau has announced Government provision of more than $50 million in direct funding to independent, self-employed workers in the live performing arts sector who are experiencing financial hardship, with up to a maximum of $2,500 per individual.
Trudeau and Canada's Heritage Minister, Pablo Rodriguez made the announcement on Tuesday, through the Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund to recognize the live performing arts sector being disproportionately affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While this important funding support will be provided to individuals through these four independent organizations: La Fondation des artistes, The Actors’ Fund of Canada, The Canadian Dance Assembly and The Unison Benevolent Fund.
Moreso, the announcement was made in advance of the National Culture Summit at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, welcomed industry leaders from across Canada on May 2, 3 and 4 to discuss the long-term competitiveness and future growth of the arts, culture and heritage sectors.
Furthermore, these organizations were selected following a national call for applications through Canadian Heritage’s Canada Performing Arts Workers Resilience Fund. This new temporary funding program announced on February 1, 2022 has an overall budget of $60 million (2022–2023) to help workers in the live performance sector.
More details on how the funding support will be distributed for initiatives such as professional development, support programs and career counselling and mentorships will be shared later this spring.
While, Over the next few weeks, the four independent organizations will work to deliver direct funding efficiently and securely and, together, will provide national coverage for all genres and all types of workers in the sector.
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