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S-202Royal assent received

Law Proposed to Create a Parliamentary Artist Laureate

Parliamentary Artist Laureate Law Proposed

Introduced Dec 14, 2021·Last discussed Jun 20, 2024
Summary

This proposed law creates a new role: the Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate. This person will be a visual artist. They will make art about the Canadian Parliament. Think paintings, sculptures, or other visual works. The artist will be chosen by a special committee. This proposed law affects Canadian visual artists. It gives them a chance to be recognized nationally. It also affects anyone interested in Canadian art and politics. The art created will be displayed in Parliament. This will help celebrate Canadian culture. This matters because it highlights the importance of art. It shows how art can connect to important institutions like Parliament. It also provides a platform for Canadian artists. It helps them share their perspectives on Canadian democracy.

Bill Timeline
Introduced in the Senate
Nov 23, 2021
Approved in principle (Senate)
Dec 8, 2021
Passed the Senate
Dec 8, 2021
Introduced in the House
Dec 14, 2021
Approved in principle (House)
Jun 7, 2023
Vote on Bill S-202 — approve in principlePassed
209 Yea114 Nay
Jun 7, 2023
Vote on Bill S-202 — accept committee changes?Passed
210 Yea113 Nay
Jan 31, 2024
Passed the House
Feb 14, 2024
Final vote on Bill S-202Passed
210 Yea115 Nay
Feb 14, 2024
Became law
Jun 20, 2024
Where This Lands on Key Issues

Where this proposed law falls on the policy spectrums that Canadians care about

Taxes & Government SpendingBalance taxes with needed services

Creating a parliamentary artist position involves some government spending, but it's a relatively small program and doesn't represent a major shift in overall spending priorities.

Rural Communities & CultureIncrease rural investment

The creation of an artist position for Parliament could be seen as a minor investment in cultural industries, potentially benefiting artists from across Canada, including those in rural areas.

This bill
Bill Quality
Solid

This proposed law creates a Parliamentary Visual Artist Laureate to promote the arts in Canada. It is a good start to supporting the arts, but relies heavily on the speakers of the Senate and House and the Parliamentary Librarian to define the role.

Things to Watch For

  • The selection process could be seen as biased since it relies on a small group of people.
  • The law does not specify how the Laureate's work will be funded.
  • The definition of 'arts' is limited and may exclude emerging or interdisciplinary art forms.
  • The law doesn't guarantee any specific support or resources for the Laureate to fulfill their mandate.
  • The law does not address how the Laureate will engage with diverse communities across Canada.
Progress

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