Equity has submitted its brief to the Standing Committee on Finance as part of the federal government’s annual pre-budget consultation process. These consultations provide Canadians and organizations with an opportunity to share their priorities ahead of the federal budget.
As with its previous submission, Equity’s brief outlines three key recommendations aimed at addressing affordability, income instability and job creation in the live performance sector:
- Implement the Live Performance Arts Accelerator, a 25% tax credit on eligible labour-based expenses in the live performing arts industry to increase work opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
- Reinstate income averaging to ensure fair tax treatment for workers with fluctuating incomes.
- Expand access to, and eligibility for, subsidized housing programs to better reflect the financial realities of artists and other gig economy workers.
“We truly believe that implementing these initiatives would not only create an immediate positive impact on the lives of our cultural workers, but would also strengthen the live performance industry and benefit Canadians across the country,” said Equity Executive Director, Alex Levine.