WHEREAS the arts and culture sector contributes $28.7 billion to Ontario's GDP and creates over 300,000 jobs
WHEREAS the Ontario Arts Council budget has not been increased at Ontario's rate of inflation, exacerbating the income precarity of artists and cultural workers, some of whom are earning less than $25k/year, and still less for those from equity-deserving groups
WHEREAS the income precarity was worsened during the pandemic through issues of regulatory unfairness in the arts and culture sector, disproportionately impacting the performing arts sector and OAC-determined priority groups, including BIPOC, Indigenous, women, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA2S+ artists and cultural workers
WHEREAS the impact of arts and culture is interministerial with proven benefits across many ministries, including education, mental and public health, infrastructure, tourism, and job creation.
THEREFORE We the undersigned petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to sustain the Ontario Arts Council budget of $65M in the 2023 provincial budget and adequately invest in the arts and culture sector, including supports for equity-deserving groups, small-medium and grassroots collectives in our communities, and individual artists to ensure their personal and economic survival.