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December6,2015OntarioCulturalStrategyConsultationMinistryofTourism,CultureandSportHearstBlock,9thFloor900BayStreetToronto,ONM7A2E1

OntarioCulturalStrategyConsultation:CIMAandMusicOntarioSubmission

TheCanadianIndependentMusicAssociation(CIMA)andMusicOntariocommendtheGovernmentofOntarioonitseffortstocrafttheprovince’sfirst-everculturalstrategy.OnbehalfofCIMA’sOntario-basedmembershipaswellasMusicOntario’smembership,wearegratefulfortheopportunitytoprovideourindustry’sinsightandinputduringtheculturalstrategyconsultationprocess.

ThedevelopmentofaculturalstrategyisanimportantmilestoneforOntario.WithrecentdatafromtheProvincialandTerritorialCultureSatelliteAccountshowingthatOntarioaloneaccountsforcloseto46%ofCanada’scultureGDP(withavalueof$21.9billionin2010),cultureis,withoutadoubt,akeypartofOntario’seconomyandidentity.1Accordingtothissamedata,morethan4%ofjobsintheprovinceareconsideredtobe‘culturejobs’,whiletheGDPofOntario’sculturalindustrieswerevaluedat$23.8billion,accountingforover301,000jobs.2Theimportanceoftheculturalindustries(andcreativeindustries)isn’taphenomenonthat’srestrictedtoOntarioeither.Arecentstudy,conductedbyEYonbehalfoftheInternationalConfederationofSocietiesofAuthorsandComposers(CISAC)andtheUnitedNationsEducation,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO)concludedthattheglobal

1StatisticsCanada.“Cultureandsportactivitiesintheprovincesandterritories,2010”.PublishedonJune9,2015.http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/150609/dq150609b-eng.pdf2“Cultureandsportactivitiesintheprovincesandterritories,2010”

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culturalandcreativeindustriesgenerate$2,250billionUSD,whichisapproximately3%oftheglobalGDP,andemploy29.5peoplearoundtheglobe.3Inshort,culture–aswellasboththeculturalandcreativeindustries-matters.GiventhefactthatOntario’sMinistryofTourism,CultureandSportspendsabout$800millionannuallythrough12cultureagenciesandattractions,thedevelopmentofaunified,forward-thinkingandinnovativeculturalstrategyisanimportantsteptowardsbuildingandstrengtheningatrulydynamicculturalsector.OnbehalfofCIMA’sOntario-basedmembershipandMusicOntario’smembers,webelievethatthemusicindustryinparticularhasasignificantroletoplayinOntario’sculturallandscape,bothinthepresentandinthefuture. ABOUTCIMAANDMUSICONTARIOBywayofbackground,CIMAisthenot-for-profitnationaltradeassociationrepresentingtheEnglish-language,Canadian-ownedsectorofthemusicindustry.Celebratingits40thyearin2015,CIMArepresentsadiversemembershipconsistingofCanadian-ownedcompanies,allofwhichareinvolvedineveryaspectofthemusic,soundrecordingandmusic-relatedindustries.Theseareexclusivelysmallbusinesseswhichinclude:recordproducers,recordlabels,recordingstudios,managers,agents,licensors,musicvideoproducersanddirectors,creativecontentowners,artistsandothersprofessionallyinvolvedinthesoundrecordingindustry.CIMA’smandateistodevelopandadvocatepoliciesandservicesthatservetosupportastrongandeconomicallystableCanadianindependentmusicandsoundrecordingindustry,ensuringthelong-termdevelopmentofthesectorandtoraisetheprofileofCanadianindependentmusicbothinCanadaandaroundtheworld.

CIMArepresentsmorethan240Canadian-ownedcompaniesandprofessionalslocatedineveryprovinceandtheYukonTerritory,engagedintheworldwideproductionandcommercializationofCanadianindependentmusic.Collectively,CIMA’smembersemployalmost2,400peopleandrepresentapproximately6,200artists.Geographically,Ontario-basedcompaniesrepresent63%ofCIMA’smembership.

3WorldCreative.“CulturalandCreativeIndustriesFuelTheEconomy.”2015.http://www.worldcreative.org/

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CIMAlaunchedMusicOntarioin2012asanon-profit,membership-baseddivisionwhosemissionistoprovideprofessionaldevelopment,education,informationandsupporttotheprovincialmusicindustry.ThroughsupportfromtheOntarioMusicFund(OMF),MusicOntariohasbeenabletodeliverprograms,services,eventsandinitiativesthatfocusonnurturing,developing,promotingandsustaininggrowthacrosstheprovince’smusicsector.Overitsexistence,MusicOntariohasengagedinprofessionaldevelopmentworkshops,artistshowcases,communitynetworkingevents,one-on-oneconsultationswithartistsandbusinesses,andmuchmoretosupportOntario’semergingartistsandmusiccompaniesatthegrassrootslevel.

MusicOntariorepresentsmorethan600artistsandindustryprofessionals,includingemergingartists,industryprofessionalsandcompanies,promoters,publishers,recordlabels,venues,musicsupervisors,bookingagentsandagencies,designers,engineers,lawyers,andmore.Furthermore,MusicOntarioiscommittedtoadvocacyandoutreachinitiativesthatstretchbeyondtheGreaterTorontoAreaandacrosstheprovince.BothCIMA’sOntario-basedmembershipandMusicOntario’smembershiphavebenefitedfromthebusinesssupportprogramscreatedtosupportOntario’smusicindustry.ThroughtheOntarioMusicFund(OMF)andthenow-defunctOntarioSoundRecordingTaxCredit(OSRTC),Ontario’smusiccompaniesandartistshavebeenabletogrowtheirbusinesses,createjobsandexportOntario’smusicaltalenttotheworld.THECURRENTSTATEOFTHEMUSICINDUSTRYINONTARIOByanymeasure,Ontario’smusicindustryisasuccessstory.OperatingastheunofficialcapitaloftheCanadianmusicindustry,Ontarioiscurrentlyresponsibleforgenerating78%ofthecountry’smusicindustry-relatedrevenues4,andthemusicindustrygeneratesannualrevenuesofover$429millionfortheprovince.5Asmentionedinthepreambletothissubmission,themostrecentdatafromtheProvincialandTerritorialCulturalSatelliteAccountshowsthatOntarioisanationalleaderinthecultural

4StatisticsCanada.SoundRecordingandMusicPublishing,2013.PublishedAugust12,2015.http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/150812/dq150812a-eng.pdf5GovernmentofOntario.“OntarioMusicFundGrantsGoto123Recipients”.PublishedMarch25,2015.http://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2015/03/ontario-music-fund-grants-go-to-123-recipients.html

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industriesinregardstoitsshareofthenationalcultureGDPandcultureemployment.Giventhesizeandstrengthofthemusicindustryinthisprovince,itbecomesclearthatmusic(andthemusicindustry)isakeycomponentofOntario’sculturalsectorlandscape.Itcomesasnosurprise,then,thatOntario’smusicindustryproducesagreatnumberofsuccessstories,punchingfaraboveitsweightnationallyandinternationally.Inparticular,theCanadian-owned,independentcompanieswhichcallOntariohomehavebeenleadingthechargefortheprovince’smusicindustry;ensuringthatOntarioearnsandmaintainsitstitleasoneofNorthAmerica’sleadingmusicindustryclustersforproductionandperformance.SpanningthemusicalgamutfromRushtoTheWeekndtoFeist,Ontario’smusicindustryhasbeenattheforefrontofcreatingandexportingrich,diverseandhigh-qualityCanadianmusicaltalenttotheworld.

FromCanada’sMusicIncubatoratCoalitionMusictoawardwinningToronto-basedindielabel/managementcompany/publisherSixShooterRecordstotheinternationally-mindedDineAloneRecords,Canadian-ownedcompaniescanbecountedontodevelop,investandsupportOntario’sartiststhroughouttheircareers.Onbroaderterms,thesuccessoftheseCanadian-ownedsmallbusinesseshelptobuildathrivingmusicindustrythatcreatesjobs,andservestobuildupOntario’seconomy.

FollowingarejustsomeofthehighlightsandsuccessesexperiencedbyCIMAandMusicOntariomembersthispastyear:

• The2015PolarisMusicPrize,aprestigiousawardgivenannuallytothe

bestCanadianalbum,wasawardedtoBuffySainte-MarieforPowerInTheBlood,releasedbyOntario-basedCIMAmemberTrueNorthRecordsanddistributedbyCIMAmembereOneMusicCanada.ThismarksthesecondyearinarowwherethewinningalbumwasreleasedbyaCIMAmemberlabel.In2014,thePolarisMusicPrizewasawardedtoTanyaTagaqforAnimism,releasedonOntario-basedCIMAmemberSixShooterRecords.

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• The2015JUNOAwardswereheldinHamiltonlastMarch,andunsurprisingly,Ontario’sartistsandmusiccompanieswereonceagainattheforefront.LeadingOntariomusiccompanies(andCIMAmembers)likeArts&Crafts,AnthemEntertainment,DineAloneRecords,SixShooterRecords,SonicUnyon,LastGangEntertainment,OutsideMusicandCoalitionMusic,justtonameafew,sawtheirartistsnominatedfortheprestigiousaward.Ofthe12CIMAmembercompaniespickingupJUNOAwardsin2015,10oftheseCIMAmemberscallOntariohome.

Thesearejusttwoexamplesofrecentsuccesses,butweareincrediblyproudofthewealthofcreativetalentthatisdrivingOntario’ssuccessfulmusicindustry.INVESTINGINONTARIO’SMUSICINDUSTRYInpart,Ontario’smusicindustryisthrivingbecauseofthesupportprovidedthroughtheGovernmentofOntario.ThesupportprogramsavailabletoOntario’sartistsandmusiccompaniesareunparalleled,andpositionOntarioasaleaderinsupportingitsmusicindustry.Theresults,asdemonstratedbytheexamplesabove,speakforthemselves.WhileOntariohashistoricallyhadrobustbusinesssupporttoolsforitsCanadian-ownedmusiccompanies(i.e.:theformerOntarioSoundRecordingTaxCredit),thecenterpieceofthecurrentfundingenvironmentistheOntarioMusicFund(OMF). Originallylaunchedasathree-year,$45millioninvestmentin2013,themusiccommunityisextremelygratefultotheMinisterforextendingtheOMFonapermanentbasis6.ThefundsupportsOntario-basedmusicbusinessesthat“produce,distributeandpromoteOntario-basedmusicandartists”,andisaimedatcreatinga“businessenvironmentwhereOntario’stalentedartistsfromdiversemusicalgenresandbackgroundscangrowandthrivewhilehelpingtheindustrybecomeevenmorecompetitiveinternationally.”7Todate,theOMFhassupported231projects,and

6GovernmentofOntario.“MakingTheOntarioMusicFundPermanent.”PublishedonJune17,2015.https://news.ontario.ca/mtc/en/2015/06/making-the-ontario-music-fund-permanent.html7GovernmentofOntario.“OntarioMusicFundGrantsGoto123Recipients.”PublishedonMarch25,2015.http://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2015/03/ontario-music-fund-grants-go-to-123-recipients.html

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availabledatasuggeststhatthefirstyearoftheOMFproduced$24millioninadditionalrevenuesformusicbusinesses,andhelpedcreateandretain2,000jobs.8 Fundingsupport,suchasthegrantsprovidedthroughtheOMF,assistsCanadian-ownedsmallbusinessesintwoimportantareas:accesstocapitalandcashflow.Withinthissupportiveenvironment,Ontario’smusiccompaniesareabletoleveragethesefundstogrowandexpand,aswellascreatenewopportunitiesbothhereathomeandoutsideOntario.WhileCIMAandMusicOntarioweredisappointedwiththelossoftheOSRTCasatoolreservedforCanadian-ownedcompanies,westronglybelievethatOntario’smusicbusinesssupportprograms,andtheOMFinparticular,arekeyelementsofmakingOntario’smusicindustryacontinuoussuccessstory.

TheGovernmentofOntariohasalreadydemonstratedtremendousleadershipbymakingtheOntarioMusicFundapermanentinvestmentintoOntario’sartistsandmusicindustry.Thishelpsmusiccompaniessupportartists,createjobsandcreateCanadiansuccessstoriesathomeandabroad.OnbehalfofCIMAandMusicOntario’smembership,weagaincommendtheGovernmentofOntarioonitsleadershipandcommitmenttothemusicindustry.MUSICASTHEFOUNDATIONOFCULTUREMusicpermeateseverythingwedoasasociety.Youwouldbehardpressedtofindapartofyourdaythatdoesn’tinvolvemusic,eitheractivelyorpassively.Itdefineswhoweareashumanbeings;itbindsustogetherandhelpscreateandsustaincommunities.Furthermore,musicisquiteoftenakeyelementinotherculturaldisciplines,includingdance,film,andtelevision–andevene-books,whichareincreasinglyembeddingmusictracksintothenarrative.Fromacommercialperspective,Ontario’smusicindustryisasignificanteconomicdriverandjobcreator.ItisourviewthatOntario’snewculturalstrategyshouldexplicitlydefinemusic’sfoundationalroleinOntario’sculturalidentity.Ontario’shomegrownartistsandmusiccompaniesrepresentOntarioathomeandonaworldstage,andworktoshowcasethebreadthofthediversityacrosstheprovince.Thus,musichasintrinsicvalueasaculturaldriver,offeringanavenueforOntarianstoexpressthemselvesandtheiridentities. 8“OntarioMusicFundGrantsGoto123Recipients.”

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Beyondtheintrinsicvalueofmusic,investinginthecommercialmusicsectorisasoundinvestmentforgovernmentsinanerawherepublicfundsarelimited.WhilethecurrentlyavailabledatafortheOMFhintsattheeconomicbenefits,CIMA’sSoundAnalysisreportshowedthatforevery$1ofindustrysupportinvested,$1.42wasreturnedtoprovincialgovernments.9Furthermore,thatsamereportsuggestedthatthemusicindustrypaidmoreintaxesthantheyreceivedbywayoffundingsupportfrombothlevelsofgovernmentcombined.10Thus,music’sroleasaneconomicdriverisanotherreasontosupportitsexplicitrecognitionasafoundationalelementoftheculturalstrategy.Indeed,accordingtothe2014annualreportbytheInternationalFederationofthePhonographicIndustry(IFPI),therecordedmusicsectorinvestedahigherpercentageofitsrevenues(15.6%)intoResearchandDevelopment(calledA&Rinthemusicindustry),thanPharmaceuticalsandBiology(14.4%),SoftwareandComputerServices(9.9%),TechnologyHardwareandEquipment(7.9%),AerospaceandDefence(4.5%)andHealthcareEquipmentandServices(4.1%).OPPORTUNITIESFORGROWTH:CIMAANDMUSICONTARIORECOMMENDATIONSWhilewearegratefulforthesupportprovidedbytheGovernmentofOntariothroughtheOntarioMediaDevelopmentCorporation(OMDC),webelievethatthecraftingoftheprovince’sculturalstrategyoffersanunprecedentedopportunitytoexamineanddevelopavisionforthefutureofmusic,andthemusicindustry,intheprovince.Withthisinmind,CIMAandMusicOntariobelievethatthereareseveralwaysthattheculturestrategycouldbeleveragedtoprovideadditionalsupportforthedevelopmentofOntario’smusicindustry,furthercementingOntario’splaceasaclusterformusicproductionandperformance.Wefirmlybelievethatthefollowingrecommendationsareatangiblewaytobolsterthedevelopmentofmusicasacorecluster.

9CanadianIndependentMusicAnalysis.2013.SoundAnalysis.http://www.nordicity.com/media/201336fjtnrdeunp.pdf10SoundAnalysis,2013

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STRENGTHENINGTHEONTARIOMUSICFUNDCIMA,MusicOntarioandourrespectivemembershipsarethankfulforthesignificantcommitmentandinvestmentmadebytheGovernmentofOntarioviatheOMF.Overall,theOMFappearstobetargetingitsresourcesinthemostappropriateway,andtothemostappropriatecomponentsoftheindustry.Intheinterestsofensuringthatmorequalifiedapplicantsareabletoreceivefundingsupport,webelievethatfundinglimitsoftheOMFCompanyDevelopmentStreamshouldbeloweredto$750,000percompanyfromthecurrentlimitof$1.5million.WiththeOMFbeingahighlycompetitiveprocess,weareconfidentthatloweringtheceilinginthisparticularstreamwillallowformoremoneytobedisbursedtohigh-qualityprojectsandactivities(withoutincreasingthe$15millionannualallocation). Secondly,themusicindustryisrapidlyandconstantlychanging,particularlywhenitcomestotheemergenceofdisruptivetechnology.Withphysicalsalesanddownloadsfalling,coupledwiththeriseofstreaming,businessprogramssuchastheOMFneedtocontinuetobenimbleandproactivewithinthisconstantlychangingenvironment.Tothisend,CIMAandMusicOntarioencouragestheOMDCandtheGovernmentofOntariotocontinueitspracticeofregularconsultationwithindustrystakeholders,particularlytheCanadian-ownedmusiccompanies,toensurethatsupportprogramsliketheOMFremaineffectiveandrelevantwithinanevolvingbusinessclimate.MUSICANDEDUCATIONThere’sagrowingbodyofevidencethatsuggeststhatmusiceducationisapowerfulcatalystforunlockingtheintellectual,socialandcreativepotentialofchildren.11Furthermore,researchconductedbyMusicCanadasuggeststhatmusiceducationcontributes“tothedevelopmentoftheinnovativeandskilledworkforcerequiredinthedigitaleconomy.”12Interestingly,theskillsthataredevelopedthroughmusiceducationareoftenthesameskills–math,logicandcognitiveprocessing–thatarerequiredintheinformationandcommunicationstechnologysectorsthatarecrucialtothe21st

11RoyalConservatoryofMusic.TheBenefitsofMusicEducation.https://www.rcmusic.ca/sites/default/files/files/RCM_MusicEducationBenefits.pdf12MusicCanada.TheNextBigBang:ANewDirectionforMusicinCanada.http://musiccanada.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/TheNextBigBang.pdf

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centuryeconomy.13Inaddition,musiceducationisundeniablyanimportantcatalystfordevelopingthenextgreatcohortofOntarioartists,songwritersandmusicindustryprofessionals.Beyondtheconcreteandtangiblebenefitsofmusiceducation,educationingeneralservesakeypurposeinsociety:shapingculturalnorms.Byconsistentlyintroducingmusicintothecurriculumatanearlyage,studentsbuildanappreciationformusicthathasimportantbenefitsforthecommercialmusicsector.StakeholdersdiscussedthesebenefitsatlengthduringtheStandingCommitteeonCanadianHeritage’sReviewoftheMusicIndustry,statingthateducatingthegeneralpublicaboutmusic,andaboutthecostofmusicinparticular,mightbeaninnovativewaytoguidethepublictowardslegitimatesourcesofmusicconsumption(andawayfrommusicpiracy).14Asaresult,CIMAandMusicOntariobelievethattheculturalstrategymustincludeacommitmenttoensuringthatOntarianshaveaccesstomusiceducation.ThiswouldbewhollyconsistentwithoneoftherecommendationsthatemergedfromtheStandingCommitteeonCanadianHeritage’sReviewoftheMusicIndustry,whichstatedthattheGovernmentofCanadashouldopttoworkalongsidetheprovincesandterritoriesto“improvethemusicalknowledgeandskillsofCanadians.”15MUSICANDBUSINESSTOURISMOntario’sculturalstrategyshouldalsoexplicitlyconnecttourismandthemusicindustry.AsthesinglelargesttraveldestinationinCanada,Ontariocurrentlyaccountsfor55%ofCanada’stourismbyoverseasvisitorsandgeneratescloseto$28billionintourismrevenuesonanannualbasis.16In2010,therewere9.5millionartsandcultureovernighttouristsvisitingOntario,withspendingreaching$4.1billion.17Theeconomicimpactis 13TheNextBigBang:ANewDirectionforMusicinCanada,201414StandingCommitteeonCanadianHeritage.“ReviewoftheMusicIndustry”.PublishedonJune10,2014.http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=6661036&Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=2&File=57-1115ReviewoftheMusicIndustry,201416InvestOntario.“TourismInvestment.”http://www.investinontario.com/tourism17OntarioArtsCouncil.“OntarioArtsandCultureTourismProfile”.Publishedin2012.http://www.arts.on.ca/AssetFactory.aspx?did=8780

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significant,withartsandculturetouristscontributing$3.7billiontowardstheprovince’sgrossdomesticproduct(GDP)in2010,employing67,700Ontariansandgenerating$2.4billioninwages.18WhileculturaltourismisanimportantelementforattractingforeignanddomesticvisitorstothenumerousliveperformancesandfestivalsthatOntariohastooffer,CIMAandMusicOntariobelievethatthereisanunprecedentedopportunitytolinktogetherthemusicindustry(andOntario’sartists)withbusinesstourism.Ontarioattractsmanyconventions,tradeshows,exhibitions,exposandotherformsofbusinesstourism.AccordingtotheCityofToronto,thecensusmetropolitanareacurrentlyboaststhreeconventioncentres(MetroTorontoConventionCentre,TorontoCongressCentre,andtheDirectEnergyCentre),58multifunctionaleventvenues,34meetingfacilities,and100professionaleventandmeetingplanners.19LookingbeyondToronto’scitylimits,thereareconventioncentresincitiesacrosstheprovince.20Furthermore,boththeMetroTorontoConventionCentre(MTCC)andtheShawConventionCentre(Ottawa)arebothCrownCorporationsoftheGovernmentofOntario. Linkingbusinesstourists,suchasconventiondelegates,withinformationaboutlocalentertainmentoptions,includinglocalvenues,performancespaces,festivals,etc.,wouldbeatremendousopportunityforbothparties.Encouragingbusinesstouriststopatronizesmallbusinesses,likemostvenuesandperformancespaces,isnotonlygoodforbusinessbutitalsoprovidesnewwaystoexposeOntariotalent.Conventioncentresandthelikeshouldbecometurnkeyoperations,wherebytheycanprovideinformationregardinglocalentertainmentclustersorhubs,andcanliaisewithlocalmusiccompaniestosecureentertainmentataconference,forexample.Theserelativelysimpleactionscanbeaneasywaytoencouragevisitorstothisprovincetotakeinlocal

18OntarioArtsandCultureTourismProfile,201219CityofToronto.“KeyIndustrySectors:Tourism”.http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=580b6fe8341da310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextchannel=401132d0b6d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD20BanquetHallsOntario.“ConferenceandConventionCentres”.http://www.banquethallsontario.com/conference-and-convention-centres/

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culture,frequentOntario’ssmallbusinessesandgetexposedtoOntario’shomegrowntalentinparticular.CIMAandMusicOntariobelievethattheGovernmentofOntario’sculturalstrategyshouldexplicitlylinkculture,andmusicinparticular,withthebusinesstourismsectorinOntario. OPPORTUNITIESFORCROSS-COLLABORATIONWebelievethatthereisalotthatthemusicindustrycanlearnfromotherindustries,andviceversa.Theemergenceofdigitaltechnologies,changingconsumerbehaviour,copyright,accesstocapitalandcashflowissuesareallacuteconcernsformostculturalindustries.Thus,CIMAandMusicOntariobelievetheculturalstrategyshouldacknowledgetheneed,andperhapsguidestrategies,forcross-collaboration.Forexample,theOMDC’sDigitalDialogueBreakfastSeries,billedasa“forumforongoingconversationamongdecision-makersintheculturalmediaindustries”,isagreatexampleofcross-culturalcollaboration.21Thistypeofinitiativeallowsdecision-makersacrossallindustries,fromvideogamestobookpublishingtomusic,tolearnfromeachother’sexperiencesanddevelopnewskillsthroughcollaborativelearning.Asecondbenefitfromthistypeofbusinessinitiativeisthatitallowsfornetworking.ThisisparticularlybeneficialforthesmallbusinessesthatCIMArepresents.With46%ofallbusinessesintheindependentmusicindustrybeingsoleproprietorships,therearen’tmanyorganicopportunitiesto‘breakthesilo’andlearnfromotherindustries,letalonenetworkoutsideofthemusicandmusic-relatedindustries.22Asaresult,CIMAandMusicOntariobelievethataculturalstrategyshouldexplicitlyencourageandperhapshelpfacilitateopportunitiesforcross-culturalcollaborationandlearningopportunities.

21OntarioMediaDevelopmentCorporation.“DigitalDialogue/BreakfastSeries.”http://www.omdc.on.ca/collaboration/business_initiatives/digital_dialogue/digital_dialoguebreakfast_series.htm22SoundAnalysis,2013

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ENCOURAGETHEDEVELOPMENTOFCULTUREATALOCALLEVELWebelievethattheculturalstrategyshouldoperateonthefundamentalpremisethatwhilethestrategycanbeoverarchingandfocusontheprovinceasawhole,thedevelopmentof‘culture’andcultureassetshappenatthelocallevel.Localactorsatthecommunitylevelareveryimportantinthemusicindustry,asthisiswhereartistsbegintohonetheircraftandsetupthebuildingblocksfortheircareer.Clearly,theideathatcultureislocalisevidencedbythegrowthofmusicofficesinmunicipalitiesacrosstheprovince.FromTorontotoLondontoHamilton,municipalgovernmentsaredevelopingconcretestrategiesabouthowtoencouragemusicindustrydevelopmentintheircommunities,recognizingthatmusicisbothaculturalandeconomicdriver.Atthelocallevel,issueslikecityplanning,diversity,employment,education,transportation,regulationandurbanlifeinteracttoplayakeyroleinmusicindustrydevelopment.Music,andculturebroadlyspeaking,servesasanimportantbusinessandemployeeattractionandretentiontoolforcommunitiesacrosstheprovince.Peoplemoveto(andstayin)communitiesthathavediverseandrobustculturalattractions.Indeed,companiesinvestinthosesamecommunities,becauseastrongculturalpresenceservestoattractadynamicandlocalworkforce.AnoutletforactiononthisrecommendationisthroughconsultationwiththeAssociationofMunicipalitiesOntario(AMO).AMO’s444-membermunicipalitieshavethetremendouscapacitytoimpactthedevelopmentofcultureatalocallevel,andthusensurethatemergingartistsandmusiccompanieshavehospitableenvironmentstopursuetheircraft.23Involvinglocalcommunitiesintheprovince’sculturalstrategymayfacilitatetheprofoundlyimportantbuy-inandexecutionofitskeyprioritiesatthelocallevel.HARMONIZATIONOFCULTURALPRIORITIESACROSSALLLEVELSOFGOVERNMENTWebelievethattheculturalstrategyshouldbeharmonizedwithinternationalagreementsregardingtheroleofcultureinsociety,andtheConventionfortheProtectionandthePromotionoftheDiversityofCulturalExpressionsinparticular.Onthispoint,webelievethattheGovernmentofOntarioshouldfollowtheexamplesetby

23AssociationofMunicipalitiesOntario.“About”.http://www.amo.on.ca/About.aspx

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Quebecin2007,andadoptamotionrecognizingtheConvention.Tothatend,theConventioncouldserveasaframeofreferenceforthecraftingoftheculturalstrategy.CONCLUSIONThankyouverymuchfortheopportunitytocommentontheprovince’sculturalstrategy.WewouldbepleasedtoansweranyquestionsorrespondtoanycommentsthatyoumayhaveaboutCIMA’sandMusicOntario’ssubmission.Yourssincerely,

StuartJohnstonPresidentCanadianIndependentMusicAssociation30St.PatrickStreet,2ndFloorToronto,ONM5T3A3stuart@cimamusic.ca416-485-3152,extension232