Question Period Notes
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In accordance with the Access to Information Act, the government proactively publishes the package of question period notes that were prepared by a government institution for the minister and that were in use on the last sitting day in June and December.
The question period notes may be partially or fully redacted in accordance with the legislation; for example, if the notes contain information related to national security or personal information. (Learn more about exemptions and exclusions.)
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As part of the $500 million temporary Emergency Support Fund to Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations, the Government announced an investment of $3.5M in citizen focused activities to counter disinformation related to COVID-19. To date, the Government has approved $3.26 million in projects that were submitted by ten civil society organizations. An open call for proposals that closed on July 31, 2020 will result in additional funded projects. This funding will help combat false and misleading COVID-19 information as well as the racism and stigmatization that are often the result.
In the context of the COVID-19 crisis, the Government announced, on March 25, 2020, a simplified process for processing the files submitted through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) to accelerate the attribution of funds awarded to recipients.
The modernization of the CPF will be implemented April 1, 2021, to allow for an orderly transition. In the meantime, the CPF will continue to apply the existing criteria on a status-quo basis in 2020-2021.
Canadian news publishers continue to struggle. The current COVID-19 pandemic has now dramatically amplified revenue shortfalls which jeopardizes an already fragile industry.
The Parliamentary review of the Copyright Act was launched in March 2018 under the leadership of the Standing Committee of Industry, Science and Technology. To support the review, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage conducted a study on remuneration models for artists and creative industries. The Minister of Canadian Heritage’s mandate letter includes a commitment to work with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry to review the Copyright Act.
On November 30, 2018, Canada, the United States and Mexico signed the Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). CUSMA includes an extensive section on copyright that covers a number of items, notably: term of protection, notice-and-notice, national treatment and rights management information. Canada ratified CUSMA on March 13, 2020, and on July 1, 2020, the Agreement entered into force.
On May 8, 2020, the Prime Minister announced further details of the $500 million COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations
The protection of Indigenous knowledge and cultural expressions was raised as part of the recent Parliamentary Review of the Copyright Act and is an element of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People, which the Government of Canada has committed to implementing. Canadian Heritage is leading important work to advance the promotion and protection of Indigenous cultural expressions.
COVID-19 has impacted the ability of Canada and other countries to protect refugees through resettlement.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on cultural events and spaces, which have suffered severe revenue and job losses due to closures and cancellations necessary to preserve public health. The Government is seeking the sector’s guidance in how best to support a safe re-opening.
On April 17, Prime Minister announced a $ 500 million investment in the creation of the COVID-19 Emergency Fund to support organizations responsible for culture, heritage and sport. On May 8 2020, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced the main features of this emergency fund which is intended to help these organizations to plan for the future through temporary relief measures as well as to retain jobs and ensure the continuity of the activities of organizations whose viability is in danger due to COVID-19. It is administered by Canadian Heritage with the support of its partners.