Dispatches From the Possibly Next Prime Minister's Aide

Mr. Dion,
As you know, LWOT: The World's Greatest Fiction Magazine is one of the leading forces in the Canadian arts scene. As part of our election coverage we are contacting each of the candidates with regards to a number of issues.

The Conservatives made big cuts to arts funding this year. What is the Liberal plan for arts funding?

We look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely
The LWOT editors

Liberal Party of Canada

81 Metcalfe Street, Suite 400

Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6M8

September 11, 2008

Dear LWOT editors,

Enclosed, please find the Liberal Party response to your questionnaire.

For more information on the Liberal Party of Canada’s vision for Canada, please take a

moment to review our platform online at www.liberal.ca. This document provides details

on Liberal goals and priorities.

On behalf of our Leader, Stéphane Dion, and the entire Liberal team, thank you for

writing to identify the major concerns of your membership. We appreciate your interest

in the Liberal Party’s policies as they relate to the issues which affect you.

Sincerely,

Doug Ferguson, President

Liberal Party of Canada

A Liberal Response to the LWOT: The World’s Greatest Fiction Magazine

1. The Conservatives made big cuts to arts funding this year. What is the

Liberal plan for arts funding?

The Liberal Party of Canada will reverse all the cuts made to arts funding by the

Conservatives and in some instances increase funding.

We have already committed to restore international promotion of Canadian arts and

culture through the Public Diplomacy Program (PDP) cut by the Conservatives in 2006.

This is an investment of $11.8 million. As well, the Liberal Party would also increase the

funding for international arts touring and promotion by $11 million over 3 years.

The Liberal Party believes the federal government has a role to play in supporting our

artistic and cultural community; both of which are key to Canada’s social and economic

success, and international reputation.

Total days response time from the Liberal Party: three