Synergy, the electronic newsletter
information for people who value arts and culture

BC's election budget
More funding for BC Arts Council, arts endowment fund

Colin Hansen, BC's finance minister, delivered Balanced Budget 2005 today in the legislature. A number of arts and culture related initiatives received a boost, alongside long-rumoured increases to health and education services, debt repayment, and tax breaks.

The biggest news for the cultural sector comes in annual $3 million increase for the BC Arts Council, in addition to $25 million for the Arts and Culture Endowment Fund. That total amount will be distributed to the arts community to build their own endowments, though a timeline for distribution has not yet been determined. As stated in the budget highlights, this fund encourages groups to "leverage private sector support to build endowments for arts and culture organizations", possibly indicating that organizations will have to have matching private support when applying to the fund.

As well, public libraries across the province will receive $12 million for new programs and initiatives including broadband internet access and 24-hour virtual reference desks. The Ministry of Education receives an additional $622 million to increase access to "school libraries...music and arts programs and a new school-based literacy innovation program."

The tourism industry receives $81 million, and $207 million has been earmarked for municipal and regional infrastructure.

Balanced Budget 2005 forecasts surpluses of $220 million in 2005-06 and $200 million in each of 2006-07 and 2007-08.

For more information, visit: http://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/

Last Updated: Wednesday, February 16, 2005