DISCUSSION: Identifying Issues for Society Act Reform

In August 2009 the arts sector was faced with a significant cut to Gaming grants. 

As I write this it appears that those funds have not been restored in the new budget.  Gaming monies have been used by many arts organizations to fund the vital administrative work that is necessary to keep them going.  When the only paid staff person in a small artist run gallery has to handle all  the day to day issues, negotiate the lease, do the bookkeeping, as well as the programming, it is little wonder that some things fall by the wayside.  

Often Society Act compliance is at the bottom of a long list of priorities.  A new structure with enhanced regulatory involvement in the sector does not alleviate the stresses on the sector – likely it could make what is already an issue into a problem.  The priority of any Society Act reform ought to be modernization of the Society Act, not enhanced regulation.

What are your thoughts on this matter?

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