Monarchy a defining trait of government’s cultural policy
The federal government continues to pay homage to the British monarchy with policies that outside observers say are motivated more by politics than pride. This spring the federal government is marking Queen Elizabeth II’s 60-year reign with Diamond Jubilee celebrations across Canada. The Tories have invested more than $7-million to host celebrations in capitals across […]
Feds should embrace vision of a culturally-vibrant Canada
PARLIAMENT HILL—Arts and culture are central to the Canada’s identity and the federal government has an important role to play in supporting artistic and creative activities. The arts allow communities to tell their stories, to share them across Canada, to celebrate our heritage. These narratives are important to who we are as Canadians. Cultural expressions […]
Without support for arts and culture, government ‘doesn’t have a plan for economic growth and recovery’: Minister Moore
The government has been tight-lipped when it comes to the details of this week’s federal budget, but Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore already knew that his department would see the deepest cuts when he appeared before the House Canadian Heritage Committee last December. “We will have the biggest cut in the operation of my department, […]
Moore says a government without a plan for arts and culture is one that has no plan for economy
Canadian federal Heritage Minister James Moore is credited as being a strong voice for the arts within Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government. Canada’s artistic and cultural industries were major recipients of stimulus funding following the 2009 recession, and Mr. Moore, who has been on the file since the fall of 2008, has consistently advocated for […]
Minister Moore gets high marks as a strong advocate for arts and culture within government, but critics skeptical of feds’ commitment
Conservative governments are often accused of being out of touch with the arts and culture sector, but Canadian Heritage Minister James Moore has spent the last four years working to change that perception. Since entering the House of Commons as a Canadian Alliance MP in 2000 at the age of 24, James Moore (Port Moody-Westwood-Port […]
Opposition calls on feds to take a harder line on elder abuse
Opposition critics of the government’s seniors’ policies say it’s time to stop talking about elder abuse and implement new policies to eliminate it. “We need to do something practical and pragmatic, and not just focus on awareness,” said NDP seniors critic Irene Mathyssen (London – Fanshawe, Ont.), who described elder abuse as an “appalling […]
Canada’s demographic shift redefining retirement
Canada is getting older and living longer, and experts predict that the demographic challenges will reshape the country’s social safety net and redefine retirement in the coming decades. It’s difficult to ignore the oft-stated statistics and inferences: the number of seniors is expected to double by 2030; the average life expectancy has increased by […]
Prepare for increasing mental health issues, urges Mental Health Commission of Canada report
As Canada’s population ages, improving health care has become a priority across the country and while the federal government and provinces may be preparing for increasing health-care burdens, their focus should also include the mental well-being of Canadians, says a report from the Mental Health Commission of Canada. “Canada’s population is currently undergoing a […]
Ottawa must play strategic role in seniors’ care
VICTORIA, B.C.—Although researchers have been warning of the aging of Canada’s population for decades, governments do not yet have an overarching policy strategy to deal with the profound, long-term socio-economic implications of this demographic shift, let alone its more immediate impact on seniors’ care. There is a current imbalance between the demand for and […]
Why Canada needs to expand its public pension system
OTTAWA—The Prime Minister’s recent musings in Davos about raising the age of entitlement for Old Age Security (OAS) from 65 to 67 start an appropriate discussion—but are too simplistic. In fact, the idea of raising the age of eligibility for public pensions in Canada is not new. It was proposed to the Trudeau government […]
