CQT Strategic : Follow-up on the working meeting with the Ministère de la Culture et des Communications
24 janvier 2022 |
PARTAGER :
On January 21st , the CQT was present at the working meeting that was convened by the MCC cabinet during the week of January 10th . Many of you have been following this file closely, and here, we are sharing the main points from this meeting.
Context
Minister Nathalie Roy did not attend the meeting as she was held up in the consultations concerning the revision of the Status of the Artist legislation. She joined us for just under an hour at the beginning of the second part. During discussions, people from the MCC, the MCC cabinet, CALQ and SODEC as well as several service and representation organizations were present. We were given few details about what to do next, since the main objective was to hear our concerns and recommendations regarding the current situation.
As a result, we knew from the beginning that there would be no question of a specific date for reopening. However, you may have heard Dr. Boileau, Director of Public Health, say on the radio on the morning of January 21st that the first announcements of measures could take place before mid-February.
Summary of the discussions at the Friday, January 21st meeting :
First point: broad guidelines and solutions for a predictable recovery
The meeting showed that there are significant differences among the performing arts sectors. Some want full capacity at all costs, while others feel that audiences are more comfortable with specific distancing regulations, even if it means removing the mask. The differences between multidisciplinary presenters, festivals and specialty presenters are varied in this area.
What was unanimous: We need a plan with a timetable that tells us how quickly we plan to change the measures. The waiting, the in-betweens, the confusion – this cannot go on. Most people have argued for a seasonal timetable. The CQT advocated for a three-step schedule (April reopening/spring-summer/fall reopening).
In addition, some people noted that as early as December, people were starting to become ill and that it was often impossible to replace them because of the shortage of manpower. This explains for some the fear of reopening too quickly in the middle of the season.
Many, including the CQT, also argued for the need to know standards for outdoor presentations as soon as possible so that the producers and presenters concerned could get their programming underway. The issue of communication difficulties regarding school outings which has prevailed since the beginning of the pandemic was also raised. On this particular subject, we were unanimous: predictability is necessary.
The vulnerability of producers, particularly the smaller ones, was emphasized as they cannot absorb all the costs generated by the multiple postponements with only the benefits of the Performance Support Measures. Many are also asking for access to rapid tests to be able to follow the health of our teams more closely.
Second point: Short term (over the next months) and long term (over 2 years) support measures for our recovery
Here are the main support measures that were mentioned (while remembering to avoid dissemination in mini programs that increase the administrative burden) :
- Support recovery plans for organizations (as an annex to operations)
- Recognize human resource issues (non-competitive salaries, labour shortages, etc. ) by increasing operating grants
- Support innovation among presenters
- Reflect on the increased difficulties of integrating newcomers
- Multiply initiatives for individual artists who are the ones suffering from the greatest disregard from provincial assistance (in terms of laboratories, research, grants, etc.)
- Increase and retain philanthropy
It was also said that the provincial government's measures talk a lot about retraining the workforce, which is worrisome from the point of view of a sector that does not want to see its expertise leave. It was suggested rather that we think in terms of retention of the workforce.
It was also suggested that a summit on the future of the performing arts be prepared (besides the summit which is being prepared at the federal level).
The cabinet also stressed that there was no reason to worry about the renewal of the Performance Support Measures after March 31st , even though they are not in a position to officially announce them immediately. Ideally, they would be announced before the 2022-2023 budget (expected in March).
Next steps
For MCC: The MCC will follow up with Minister Roy and the Public Health Department on January 24th . There will also be follow-ups this week with CALQ and SODEC regarding specific measures. Some points will also be brought forward to the Ministry of Finance. The next information will be directed towards the pre-budget consultations.
For the CQT: We will be holding our virtual Agora on January 28th from 2 to 4 pm and a board meeting on February 2nd . We will take advantage of these two opportunities to hear concerns from all of you and prepare our next plans and ideas for the reopening.
👉 Zoom Agora link : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83333490831
Realistically, we expect the government to provide us with indications during the week of January 24th. about the measures for reopening. We are meeting with Christine St. Pierre, the Liberal opposition culture critic, today, January 24th. The party has proposed a "deconfinement squad" this weekend and we will be able to discuss this with her.
Par Thomas BOUGET - Agent de communication
Context
Minister Nathalie Roy did not attend the meeting as she was held up in the consultations concerning the revision of the Status of the Artist legislation. She joined us for just under an hour at the beginning of the second part. During discussions, people from the MCC, the MCC cabinet, CALQ and SODEC as well as several service and representation organizations were present. We were given few details about what to do next, since the main objective was to hear our concerns and recommendations regarding the current situation.
As a result, we knew from the beginning that there would be no question of a specific date for reopening. However, you may have heard Dr. Boileau, Director of Public Health, say on the radio on the morning of January 21st that the first announcements of measures could take place before mid-February.
Summary of the discussions at the Friday, January 21st meeting :
First point: broad guidelines and solutions for a predictable recovery
The meeting showed that there are significant differences among the performing arts sectors. Some want full capacity at all costs, while others feel that audiences are more comfortable with specific distancing regulations, even if it means removing the mask. The differences between multidisciplinary presenters, festivals and specialty presenters are varied in this area.
What was unanimous: We need a plan with a timetable that tells us how quickly we plan to change the measures. The waiting, the in-betweens, the confusion – this cannot go on. Most people have argued for a seasonal timetable. The CQT advocated for a three-step schedule (April reopening/spring-summer/fall reopening).
In addition, some people noted that as early as December, people were starting to become ill and that it was often impossible to replace them because of the shortage of manpower. This explains for some the fear of reopening too quickly in the middle of the season.
Many, including the CQT, also argued for the need to know standards for outdoor presentations as soon as possible so that the producers and presenters concerned could get their programming underway. The issue of communication difficulties regarding school outings which has prevailed since the beginning of the pandemic was also raised. On this particular subject, we were unanimous: predictability is necessary.
The vulnerability of producers, particularly the smaller ones, was emphasized as they cannot absorb all the costs generated by the multiple postponements with only the benefits of the Performance Support Measures. Many are also asking for access to rapid tests to be able to follow the health of our teams more closely.
Second point: Short term (over the next months) and long term (over 2 years) support measures for our recovery
Here are the main support measures that were mentioned (while remembering to avoid dissemination in mini programs that increase the administrative burden) :
- Support recovery plans for organizations (as an annex to operations)
- Recognize human resource issues (non-competitive salaries, labour shortages, etc. ) by increasing operating grants
- Support innovation among presenters
- Reflect on the increased difficulties of integrating newcomers
- Multiply initiatives for individual artists who are the ones suffering from the greatest disregard from provincial assistance (in terms of laboratories, research, grants, etc.)
- Increase and retain philanthropy
It was also said that the provincial government's measures talk a lot about retraining the workforce, which is worrisome from the point of view of a sector that does not want to see its expertise leave. It was suggested rather that we think in terms of retention of the workforce.
It was also suggested that a summit on the future of the performing arts be prepared (besides the summit which is being prepared at the federal level).
The cabinet also stressed that there was no reason to worry about the renewal of the Performance Support Measures after March 31st , even though they are not in a position to officially announce them immediately. Ideally, they would be announced before the 2022-2023 budget (expected in March).
Next steps
For MCC: The MCC will follow up with Minister Roy and the Public Health Department on January 24th . There will also be follow-ups this week with CALQ and SODEC regarding specific measures. Some points will also be brought forward to the Ministry of Finance. The next information will be directed towards the pre-budget consultations.
For the CQT: We will be holding our virtual Agora on January 28th from 2 to 4 pm and a board meeting on February 2nd . We will take advantage of these two opportunities to hear concerns from all of you and prepare our next plans and ideas for the reopening.
👉 Zoom Agora link : https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83333490831
Realistically, we expect the government to provide us with indications during the week of January 24th. about the measures for reopening. We are meeting with Christine St. Pierre, the Liberal opposition culture critic, today, January 24th. The party has proposed a "deconfinement squad" this weekend and we will be able to discuss this with her.