The government's Chantier gouvernemental en culture 2013-2015 cultural initiative
In 2011, the Government of Quebec adopted the Agenda 21C for Culture (A21C) (link available in French only), which is a reference framework that establishes objectives for Quebec to make culture a major cross-cutting component of sustainable development that is integrated into its social, economic and environmental facets. Adopting this instrument was one of the Government of Quebec's responses to the commitment it made by approving the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions in 2005.
The A21C objectives are divided into four parts that present culture as (1) a vehicle of meaning, identity, values and roots; (2) a vector of democracy, intercultural dialogue and social cohesion; (3) a catalyst of creativity, economic development and wealth creation; and (4) a pivotal structure for planning and developing the area.
The Chantier gouvernemental en culture 2013-2015 is one of the main parameters for implementing the A21C. The purpose of this initiative is to better integrate culture into the government's sustainable development process. This translates into culture being taken into consideration concretely to help achieve social, economic, territorial and environmental development objectives in Quebec's sustainable development efforts, and to foster respect for Quebec's identity, the richness of its diversity, the sustainable use of its resources and the support of its dynamism, which is characterized by its potential for creativity and innovation.
Implementing this initiative means that each ministry and organization subject to the Sustainable Development Act must enhance its sustainable development action plan by adding at least one action that will contribute to achieving the A21C objectives.
Cultural action from a sustainability perspective
Examples of actions:
- the Fondation de la faune du Quebec has showcased a piece of art on wildlife heritage created by a Quebec artist.
Culture and society
Examples of actions:
- the Ministere de la Securite publique encouraged implementing social reintegration activities that integrate cultural content in Quebec's correctional system;
- Revenu Quebec facilitated access to information on tax credits and deductions for cultural activities;
- the Societe de la Place des arts de Montreal focused on public access to culture through its Access to the Performing Arts Program.
Culture and economy
Examples of actions:
- lnvestissement Quebec highlights Quebec's cultural characteristics in foreign investment prospecting activities;
- the Fonds de recherche du Quebec (nature and technologies, society and culture, and health) continues to take an inter-sectoral approach integrating the arts, culture, creativity and innovation at the heart of all research, and promotes unifying, inter-sectoral research practices with many benefits on the development and transformation of Quebec society.
Culture, territory and environment
Examples of actions:
- The Ministere des Affaires municipales et de !'Occupation du territoire maintained its support for cultural initiatives and implemented an inventory of government tools for sustainable development, providing access to 17 support or informative tools related to culture.
On March 31, 2015, 98 government organizations published their Sustainable Development Action Plan 2013-2015, which presented the 128 cultural actions to be carried out.
Cultural action from a sustainability perspective
72 bodies involved (10 ministries and 62 organizations)
84 actions adopted (12 by ministries and 72 by organizations)
Culture and society
11 bodies involved (4 ministries and 7 organizations)
12 actions adopted (5 by ministries and 7 by organizations)
Culture and economy
10 bodies involved, all organizations
13 actions adopted
Culture, territory and environment
15 bodies involved (4 ministries and 11 organizations)
19 actions adopted (6 by ministries and 13 organizations)
Not available.