QP: How can the Minister justify taking dedicated funds from the arts community?
CLAUDIA CHENDER : A bright spot in our province is our arts and culture sector but it remains on the chopping block. When the Support4Culture program was created on 2013 Nova Scotians were assured that revenues from provincial gambling would be set aside as dedicated funding to support arts, heritage, culture, and community interest, unassailable social goods. Now support for culture is being cut in half as part of this government's long list of grant cuts.
How is this government justifying redirecting gambling revenue that Nova Scotians were assured would go to supporting local events and jobs? Do they hate culture that much?
HON. JOHN LOHR : Let's be clear, we're investing $66 million this year in arts and culture. That's up from 2021, when it was $50 million.
Speaker, we are investing another $738 million in health care in all its various things. We're investing in the basic needs of Nova Scotians in housing, in health care, in affordability, and I could go on. We are concerned about Nova Scotia, we're concerned about meeting the basic needs of Nova Scotians. We will continue to do that. No apologies.
CLAUDIA CHENDER : Again, the minister doesn't seem to know about this program. Support4Culture, a specific funding stream, uses the revenue it receives it receives through the sale of designated lottery tickets to support new art, heritage, and cultural opportunities across our province. Over 22,000 Nova Scotians work in arts and culture, and this program has revenues specifically set aside to support the community Mawio'mi Fund, the Screenwriters Development Fund, and others to grow the sector and create new job opportunities.
When we are looking for ways to grow our economy, when we are looking for ways to be positive, how can the minister justify taking away dedicated funds that lead to jobs and economic spin-offs?
JOHN LOHR : Speaker, we have invested more than any previous government ever in the arts and culture sector. This year we are spending $66 million in this budget. I will point to the film industry - we have had unprecedented support to the film industry they are at an unprecedented level in our province. We are supporting the arts.