ARCHIVED - RPP 2007-2008
Canadian Heritage

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Section I: Departmental Overview

Ministers' Messages

The Canadian Heritage plans and priorities for 2007-2008 demonstrate the fundamental role played by the Department in the lives of Canadians. The Department supports the development and promotion of arts and culture, sport, national celebrations, citizen participation in society, as well as the growth of industries such as broadcasting, sound recording, publishing, film and new media.

Supporting arts, cultural, and heritage activities is key to building vibrant communities where creativity and innovation thrive. This is fundamental to the vitality and well being of communities and individuals across the country.

As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I recognize the key role that our museums play in preserving our heritage and history. Canada’s museum collections are growing and becoming more challenging to conserve, manage and interpret.  In 2007-2008, the Department will focus on our national museums and on defining its role with respect to non-federal museums.

Today’s communications and technological environment is changing rapidly, bringing new challenges and opportunities. The Department will utilize the December 2006 CRTC report The Future Environment Facing the Canadian Broadcasting System to inform it in its policy development. A proper balance protecting the rights of creators and giving Canadians access to their works will be the goal as we work with Industry Canada in amending the Copyright Act.

The Government of Canada is committed to pursuing its goal of recognition of the historical experiences of ethno-cultural communities impacted by wartime measures of immigration restrictions that are not consistent with values held by Canadians today. The Department continues to identify the barriers to social, economic, and cultural participation to ensure that Canadian principles of equality and mutual respect with regard to race, national or ethnic origin, and religion are realized.

In 2008, we will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Québec City, the first French-speaking settlement in North America. I intend to work with my colleague, the Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, to make this a national celebration.

We are preparing to highlight Canada’s achievements and excellence at many international events such as the 2010 World Expo in Shangai, as well as at the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.  I am pleased to work with the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, towards successful Olympics.

Together with my fellow ministers, as well as the Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport) and the Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), I intend to ensure that the Department of Canadian Heritage continues to help build a strong united Canada.

Beverley J. Oda

 

Message from the Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway
and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics

As Minister for the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, I look forward, with all Canadians, to welcoming the world to Canada in 2010.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games will enable Canada to attract the attention of the world and allow us to share our culture, our history, our accomplishments and our values.

The Government of Canada is fully aware of the extraordinary opportunities that the Games offer our country. There is no doubt that the 2010 Games will leave a legacy of sport facilities and programs that will benefit all Canadians for years to come. What’s more, they will yield significant economic benefits, as well as social benefits in such forms as the promotion of volunteerism, sport and physical activity, as well as the participation of Aboriginal peoples.

This is why the Government of Canada has invested so far more than $500 million to organize the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. During the coming months and years, we will work in close cooperation with our partners in order to promote the Games throughout the country and around the world, while work goes on to prepare the sites where competitions will be held and sport delegations will be housed.

In a little under three years, we will welcome the entire world to the Games, making all Canadians proud. As Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics, I am certain that we are up to the challenge of making the 2010 Games a success in every respect.

David Emerson

 

Message from the Minister of International Cooperation and
Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages

Our country is known around the world for the richness of its culture and its linguistic duality. The Government of Canada is fully aware of this richness and is committed to striving toward the ideal of a Canada in which all citizens can live and flourish in English as well as French.

The Government in which I serve is determined to build bridges among Canadians throughout our country and to encourage mutual understanding; this in turn will help to build a stronger, more united Canada.  Linguistic duality is at the heart of the values that make Canada a country in which respect for diversity is inherent and flourishing.  I will also work with civil society partners throughout Canada to increase support for bilingualism in order to ensure that future generations can fully benefit from this great heritage.  For my part, I will continue working with the provinces and territories to ensure that young Canadians living in a minority setting have access to quality education in their language and that, by 2013, we double the number of young Canadians able to converse in both languages.  Part of our efforts will also be dedicated to nurturing vibrant minority official language communities so that they have all the tools they need to contribute fully to our society.

The official languages file is horizontal by nature, involving some 200 federal institutions. The Department of Canadian Heritage plays a leading role, as is shown by the Report on Plans and Priorities for 2007-2008. The report highlights what we intend to do concerning the promotion of linguistic duality, second language teaching and support for official-language minority communities. In accordance with the Federal Accountability Act, I wish to focus on the achievement of concrete results and measurable objectives for official languages.

In my role of providing horizontal coordination, I am working in close cooperation with all my Cabinet colleagues to ensure that linguistic duality is an integral part of decision-making, policy-making and program design.

In 2008, Canada will celebrate the 400th anniversary of Québec City. Proud of the importance of the Canadian francophone community in this country, the Government of Canada is a leading partner in this important event. Quebecers are pleased to welcome people from all over Canada and the world to celebrate our heritage in Québec City in 2008. I can assure you that from now until the festivities begin in less than a year, I will continue to offer unflagging support for the organization of the anniversary of my city’s founding.

I am pleased to work together with my colleague, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women Beverley J. Oda, for the growth of English- and French-speaking communities across the country. As Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages, I begin the year 2007-2008 with the intention of breathing new life into efforts to promote and strengthen the Canadian Francophonie and our official languages, one of Canada’s strengths today and in the years to come.

Josée Verner

 

Management Representation Statement

I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2007‑2008 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) for the Department of Canadian Heritage.

This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide for the Preparation of Part III of the 2007‑2008 Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports:

• It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat guidance;
• It is based on the department’s Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture that were approved by the Treasury Board;
• It presents consistent, comprehensive, balanced and reliable information;
• It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to it; and
• It reports finances based on approved planned spending numbers from the Treasury Board Secretariat.

______________________________	______________________________
Judith A. LaRocque Deputy Minister	Date

Operating Environment

Mandate, Roles and Responsibilities

Canadian Heritage is responsible for the federal government’s role with respect to arts, culture, sport, and citizen participation. 

The Department and its legislative mandate are established under the Canadian Heritage Act. Other specific Acts fall under the Department.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, is assisted by other ministers and secretaries of state with responsibilities related to Canadian Heritage:

• the Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics;
• the Honourable Josée Verner, Minister of International Cooperation and Minister for La Francophonie and Official Languages;
• the Honourable Helena Guergis, Secretary of State (Foreign Affairs and International Trade) (Sport); and
• the Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity).

The Department of Canadian Heritage Act sets out the Department’s role and responsibilities in the areas of “Canadian identity and values, cultural development, and heritage”.  These responsibilities explicitly include:

• the promotion of a greater understanding of human rights, fundamental freedoms and related values;
• multiculturalism;
• the arts, including cultural aspects of the status of the artist;
• cultural heritage and industries, including performing arts, visual and audio-visual arts, publishing, sound recording, film, video and literature;
• the encouragement, promotion and development of amateur sport;
• the advancement of the equality of status and use of English and French and the enhancement and development of the English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada;
• state ceremonial and Canadian symbols;
• broadcasting, except with respect to spectrum management and the technical aspects of broadcasting;
• the formulation of cultural policy, including the formulation of cultural policy as it relates to foreign investment and copyright;
• the conservation, exportation and importation of cultural property; and
• national museums, archives and libraries.

The Department connects with Canadians through 5 regional offices and 22 points of service located across the country and through its Web site: (http://www.pch.gc.ca). In addition, the Department connects internationally through five Cultural Trade Development Officers located outside the country in strategic areas to stimulate international cultural trade.

Canadian Heritage Portfolio

The Canadian Heritage Portfolio, including the Department and 18 other organizations, plays a central role in supporting cultural and civic activities in Canada. The Portfolio agencies and Crown corporations are among the key Canadian institutions that support cultural and artistic expression: creating, promoting, regulating and disseminating Canadian choices to Canadians; and preserving and protecting Canada’s culture and shared history.

The Canadian Heritage Portfolio is comprised of:

• the Department of Canadian Heritage, including the Canadian Conservation Institute and the Canadian Heritage Information Network;
• nine Crown corporations: the Canada Council for the Arts, the Canada Science and Technology Museum Corporation (including the Canada Agriculture Museum and the Canada Aviation Museum), the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, Telefilm Canada, the Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation (including the Canadian War Museum), the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian Race Relations Foundation, the National Arts Centre and the National Gallery of Canada (including the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography);
• five agencies: the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (an independent regulatory agency), Library and Archives Canada, the National Battlefields Commission, the National Film Board of Canada and Status of Women Canada; 
• three public service organizations: the Public Service Commission of Canada, the  Public Service Labour Relations Board and the Public Service Staffing Tribunal; and
• the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, an administrative tribunal for which the Department serves as Secretariat.

The Department and each agency produce an individual Report on Plans and Priorities.  The Crown corporations prepare corporate plans, the summaries of which are tabled in Parliament or are subject to the accountability requirements of their enabling legislation.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women is responsible for ensuring that the major orientations of the agencies and Crown corporations within the portfolio support the government’s priorities.  The Minister is also responsible to Parliament for the resources allocated to all organizations in the Portfolio.

Summary Information

Raison d'être

The Department of Canadian Heritage seeks to contribute to a cohesive and creative Canada in which all Canadians have opportunities to participate in the nation’s cultural and civic life.  The Department’s two interrelated strategic outcomes that support its mission are: 

• Canadians express and share their diverse cultural experiences with each other and the world; and
• Canadians live in an inclusive society built on intercultural understanding and citizen participation.

Canadian Heritage’s strategic outcomes shape the policies, programs and services it offers to Canadians.  The outcomes are intricately linked to the Government of Canada outcomes related to strengthening Canada’s social foundations.  As stated in Canada’s Performance Report 2006, these are:

• a diverse society that promotes linguistic duality and social inclusion; and
• a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage.

Resources of the Department of Canadian Heritage
	2007-2008	2008-2009	2009-2010
Financial resources (in millions of dollars)	1,382.0	1,307.2	1,161.4
Human resources (in full-time equivalents)	2 299	2 287	2 281

 

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