Federal Cultural Policy Review Committee

Federal Cultural Policy Review Committee

The Federal Cultural Policy Review Committee was established 28 August 1980 to review CULTURAL POLICIES for Canada. Its chairman was Louis APPLEBAUM and its co-chairman was Jacques HÉBERT. Other members included Thomas SYMONS, Mary PRATT and Rudy WIEBE. The report was published November 1982, after hearings in 18 centres and 1369 briefs. The committee recommended that the operations of key cultural agencies, such as the CANADA COUNCIL and CBC, be immune from political direction. It also recommended the establishment of several new agencies, including a Canadian Heritage Council, and that more funds be given to art galleries. It called for support for book publishing through subsidies and for the film industry through increased funding for Telefilm Canada. Its suggestion for payment to authors for library use of their books was acted upon in 1986. It also recommended changes in the CBC, particularly that it relinquish TV production and acquire programs from independent producers.

In minority reports, Albert Breton protested the committee's policy of recommending that grants be given only to Canadian-owned film companies, and Guy Robert felt that the committee placed too much stress on the role of institutions. See also ARTS, HERITAGE AND CULTURAL INDUSTRIES FUNDING.