On April 24, I convened Davenport-focused provincial arts roundtable to talk about the impact of COVID-19 on arts and culture workers, organisations and institutions. We were proud to be joined by the Official Opposition Critic for Culture, Dr. Jill Andrew (MPP for Toronto-St.Pauls) as part of her province-wide consultations on the sector.
The important feedback and concerns we heard during that meeting helped inform an open letter to Doug Ford and Minister Lisa McLeod calling for urgent action to support the sector during this pandemic and after.
You can read the letter here and add your own name to our call for support.
Davenport has a proud community of creators - from those working in the visual arts, dance and theatre to filmmakers, film and tv professionals, writers and musicians. Their work not only contributes greatly to Ontario's economy, but to our quality of life, and understanding of society and humanity. Cultural producers and the institutions that support them deserve the support of the government - now more than ever.
You can count on me to keep raising the issues facing our arts and culture sector and fighting for fairness for cultural workers and organisations.
Read the notes from the April 24 meeting here.
See a PDF of the letter to Ford here.