What about the (cultural) workers?

The Professional Writers Association of Canada has expressed disappointment today about the absence of measures to assist cultural workers in the federal budget. PWAC said that, after sharing with the Department of Canadian Heritage and the Ministry of Labour "the disquieting results" of research showing a steady erosion of writers' incomes in the past 5 years, they had hoped for more, paritcularly tax incentives for the creation of Canadian written content.

As a representative of small business owners, PWAC acknowledges potential benefits to our members from new provincial transfers, the capital cost allowance and increased funding for skills training, but remains disappointed that the importance of cultural workers to the overall economy is not addressed.

“What's really missing from this budget,” former PWAC President Tracey Arial notes, “is a recognition that self-employed creators are important knowledge economy workers. Cultural sector investment pays this country back at an incredible rate of return, yet professional creators remain economically threatened."