NICKEL BELT – GREATER SUDBURY- COVID-19 has caused the unexpected cancellations of cultural and sporting events, and the closure of facilities. Many cultural, heritage and sport organizations, their workers, and their families are grappling with extraordinary financial pressure. To help mitigate these concerns, the Government of Canada introduced the COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations. In total $500 million was made available for eligible organizations through various needs-based streams of the funding program.

Today, MP Serré is announcing that Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury has received over $125,000 to help maintain jobs and support business continuity for organizations in the heritage, sport and cultural sector whose cash flow and short-term operational viability have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This plays an important role in stabilizing this sector which is a major driver of the Canadian and local economy.

Cultural, heritage and sport sectors are often more vulnerable, as they tend to be characterized by seasonal revenues, high self-employment and contract work, barriers to accessing credit, and a degree of reliance on public funding. These funds allowed local organizations to diversify their operations and adapt to digital changes.

Consultations were led at a grassroots level to identify gaps in the program as new measures were implemented to improve access to a more diverse set or organizations and initiatives.

Quotes

“Our cultural and heritage sectors promote community spirit and are a strong local economic driver. These sectors, along with many others, have been deeply impacted by this pandemic. These challenging times have however further exemplified the importance that cultural outlets, museums, newspapers and magazines, digital media, recorded music and have a positive on the morale and lives of Nickel Belt – Greater Sudbury residents.” – MP Marc G. Serré MP Nickel Belt

“President Evelyn Dutrisac and the Board of Directors are indeed pleased that Café Heritage was a successful recipient of $5,000 from Canadian Heritage "Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage.” This funding will go a long way in assisting the organization in creating additional virtual productions promoting local artists.” – Gary Michalak, Executive Director Café Heritage

"I want to thank MP Serré and our partners at the Federal Government for their support through the Museum Assistance Program. I'm confident that this funding will enable the City of Greater Sudbury Archives to continue the important work they do to promote access to our heritage and care of our city's holdings." – Brian Bigger, Mayor of Greater Sudbury

Quick facts

• Up to $326.8 million to be distributed by Canadian Heritage, of which:
  • $198.3 million will be provided to the beneficiaries of arts and culture funding through existing programs as well as other organizations with demonstrated needs;
  • $72 million will be provided to the sport sector;
  • $53 million will be provided to the heritage sector through the emergency component of the Museums Assistance Program; and,
  • $3.5 million will be provided for COVID-related projects under the Digital Citizen Initiative.
• $55 million to be distributed by the Canada Council for the Arts to help arts organizations that support artists.
• $115.8 million to support the Canadian audiovisual sector, to be distributed by the Canada Media Fund ($88.8 million) and Telefilm Canada ($27 million).

 Associated links

• Link to find COVID-19 Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations still accepting calls for proposals
• Emergency Support Fund for Cultural, Heritage and Sport Organizations
• Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

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Contact
Kaylie Dudgeon
Special Assistant
Marc G. Serré MP Nickel Belt
705-897-2222