Ottawa's arts, culture and heritage contribute greatly to our city's economy and enviable quality of life. 

Yet the City of Ottawa's per capita investment in the local cultural sector remains 31% below the average of other major Canadian cities.

In 2013, the City of Ottawa unanimously approved a six-year Cultural Action Plan for the much needed benefit of Arts, Culture and Heritage in our capital city.

Although we are halfway through the Cultural Action Plan's time period, only 22% of the planned investments in base operating funding called for by the Plan are in place. With 78% of planned investments outstanding and no new funding in place for 2016 through 2018, Ottawa's cultural sector is straining for necessary financial resources. 

Heritage Ottawa is a member of the Ottawa Cultural Alliance, a coalition of umbrella organizations that works as a collaborative voice for the success of Ottawa's cultural sector. The Alliance also includes AOE Arts Council, Council of Heritage Organizations in Ottawa (CHOO|COPO), Ottawa Arts Council, Ottawa Festivals and Ottawa Museum Network.

The Ottawa Cultural Alliance wants the City to honour the Cultural Action Plan that it unanimously approved in 2013, and unfreeze funding.

We invite you to review the Cultural Action Plan, and the Status Report prepared by the Ottawa Cultural Alliance. 

Ottawa's vibrant cultural sector contributes greatly to our city's economy, and deserves adequate resources which which to operate, thrive and contribute to the success of Canada's 150th birthday celebrations in 2017.