Explore the economics of Alberta art

On February 27, 2018, Statistics Canada released Culture Satellite Account (CSA) updated economic data for the Canadian arts, culture and sport sectors from 2010 – 2016.

The CSA is an accounting framework that measures the economic importance of culture and sport in the Canadian economy in terms of output, gross domestic product (GDP) and employment, and is supported in part by the Government of Alberta.

In 2016, culture and sport goods and services contributed $6 billion to Alberta's GDP, the fourth highest among the provinces. Like most industries across Alberta, the culture and sport sectors saw a slight decrease in total GDP in 2015 and 2016. However, over the long term, both sectors continue to show growth.  

From 2010 to 2016, Alberta’s culture GDP increased overall by 15 per cent, for a total of $5.3 billion in 2016:

of the culture GDP, the largest growth was observed for live performance (44 per cent growth)
Additionally, Alberta’s culture sector provided a total of 57,816 jobs in 2016.



Alberta’s arts community makes important contributions to the overall economic impact of the province’s culture sector. Through strong and stable funding through the Government of Alberta, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts will continue to support artistic activity across the province to improve Albertan’s quality of life and contribute to the diversification of Alberta’s economy.

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2017 ACIFA CLIMATE SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY + COMMENTS

My dear Fellow members,

You will find attached the latest ACIFA climate survey. Thank you all who participated in this latest iteration. 67 out of 107 members responded! It is a very important document for us as your Faculty Association.  It helps us gauge the tenor of the association members, and see what the driving issues may be. I would like to encourage you all to participate and attend the upcoming ACADFA General Meeting. We will have an opportunity there to talk about this survey in greater detail, and discuss some of its implications.

When you read the survey, I would like to draw your attention to the split in the survey, the first set of questions (1-13) are questions common to all partner institutions of ACIFA. The second set are questions ACADFA puts forward. The set of questions for the Alberta wide portion finds our members responding only above the mean once, and for 6 of the 13 questions we are at the lowest percentage in the province. 

I would argue the point that gives me the greatest pause is how many of our members chose neutral. To me this is not an answer of  “everything is okay”, but one of weariness. I don’t want to prevaricate and say that everything will be alright. I do believe though that we can resist and solve some of the looming challenges, but we will need your help and participation.

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In solidarity,

Natali Rodrigues

NEW BILL GIVES ACADEMIC STAFF the RIGHT TO STRIKE

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Contract disputes for faculty, graduate students currently go to mandatory binding arbitration

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2016 ACIFA CLIMATE SURVEY RESULTS SUMMARY + COMMENTS

ACADFA INTERIM PRESIDENT JUSTIN WADDELL

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General observations are that many of our members often chose “3 – Neutral” to many of the questions. Considering this along with the fluctuating response rate over the last 3 years, it is noticed that our averages remain relatively steady/neutral. So, for the purposes of a summary, it might be worthwhile to identify where there are significant differences (strongly agree/disagree) as well as where there are combined differences (mostly agree/disagree). An example of this might be with Q3: “I have enough time to attend to my professional development needs.” Although 34.4% of respondents selected, “4 – Agree” we also had a combined 36% that either “2 – Disagree” (29.7%) or “1 – Strongly disagree” (6.3%) and there were no respondents that, “5 – Strongly agree.”

Questions 1-13 are common to all ACIFA member surveys and questions 14-25 are specific to ACAD.

• The response rate has gone down to 54% (64/118) from 61% in 2015, which is likely due to the fact that 2015 was a Collective Agreement (CA) Negotiation year. In 2014 the response rate was 47%.

• Q7: “Senior administration understands day-to-day challenges faced by instructors.” A combined 56.2% disagree with 32.8% selecting, “2 – Disagree” and 23.4% selecting, “1 – Strongly disagree” versus 15.6% of respondents that selected, “4 – Agree.”

• Both Q11: “Academic Council has a meaningful impact on academic decisions” and Q:12 “The President of this institution provides effective leadership” have 42.2% of respondents selecting “3 – Neutral.” This may indicate that there is some opacity to these two areas of the institution to our members and/or that well, people are basically okay with how they are going.

• Q17: “The College Administration is effective in the support and promotion of faculty research” is predominantly neutral with 42.2% or respondents selecting “3 – Neutral.” It should be noted however that there has been a steady increase of the support over the past 6 years to 2.91.

• Q19: “The College treats sessional faculty in a fair and equitable manner” is very spread out with a combined 36% that “Agree” and 42.2% that “Disagree.” The largest portion of respondents, at 31.3% chose, “Agree – 4.”

• Q21: “I support the overall direction of the College under the Board of Governors” has 45.3% at “Neutral – 3.” Again, this may possibly be due to a certain opacity with the role of the BoG or, alternatively, that those surveyed believe that the BoG is doing okay. There is a slight dip in the with 2.67/5 for 2016 however, these fluctuations are common over the past 6 years.

• In 2016, ACADFA added a new Q25: “I support the current academic schedule (4.5 hour timetable).” The respondents were rather spread out with a combined 40.6% that “Agree” and 34.4% that “Disagree.” The largest portion of respondents, at 28.1% chose, “Agree – 4.”

POST-SECONDARY LABOUR RELATIONS CONSULTATION 2016

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In the fall of 2015, the Government of Alberta consulted on changes to the labour relations model for faculty members and graduate students at Alberta’s public post-secondary institutions. The Legislative Assembly of Alberta recently passed essential services legislation for a variety of public sector workers including non-academic staff members; however, no immediate changes to the labour relations model for faculty and graduate students were made. 

Advanced Education is now launching the next phase of the labour relations consultation in order to determine the most effective post-secondary labour relations model. Government would like to hear from all stakeholders including faculty members, graduate students and anyone else interested in this discussion. The guide is also available on a new consultation website at http://PSLALabourRelations.alberta.ca so that you may provide your feedback online.

The consultation website has information on all of the different ways you can participate and provide your feedback, including:

1. Online Feedback Form:

Through this online form you will be able to provide feedback on some of the main areas identified in the fall 2015 consultation, such as scope of collective bargaining, bargaining agent status and phasing in of changes.

1. Online Written Submission:

You may also choose to prepare a written response to the discussion guide and submit it to Advanced Education no later than October 17, 2016. Written submissions may be emailed to:  PSLALabourConsultation@gov.ab.ca

1. Discussion Sessions:

Advanced Education will be scheduling stakeholder discussion sessions in various locations throughout Alberta prior to the October 17th deadline. The discussion sessions will be open to anyone who wants to attend and will include a brief presentation by department staff followed by a Q&A session. Dates, times and locations for the discussion sessions will be posted on the consultation website once they have been finalized.

If you have any questions about the consultation please contact Advanced Education at PSLALabourConsultation@gov.ab.ca or at 780-422-0512.

Thank you.

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COU Statement: 2016 Federal Budget Recognizes Value of Strong Postsecondary Institutions to Canada

TORONTO, March 22, 2016 /CNW/ - "The federal government has signaled in the 2016 Budget its belief that investing in students and research and innovation is key to well-being and prosperity in today's and tomorrow's knowledge-based economy.

Ontario universities thank Prime Minister Trudeau and Finance Minister Morneau for an economic plan that draws on the power of a university-educated population to help build a strong, revitalized economy for all Canadians.

Our graduates and their ability to innovate, along with the world-class university research they conduct, is a valuable resource in helping build stronger communities and a stronger Canada.

The new $2-billion Postsecondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund will provide critical funding to enhance and modernize our research and commercialization facilities.

The additional $95 million annual boost for Canada's research granting councils recognizes the fundamental role of research in an innovative society. That investment will keep top talent at Ontario's universities, where they will carry out the innovative research that is so vital to the health, prosperity and quality of life of all Canadians.

Enhancing the Canada Student Loans Program will make postsecondary education more affordable and open up new opportunities for those from low-income families, and ensure graduates can manage debt as they transition into the workforce.

University students will also benefit from the work of the new Postsecondary Industry Partnership and Co-operative Placement Initiative to expand work-integrated learning.

We thank Minister Morneau also for investing in education for Canada's Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous learners are achieving greater success for themselves, their families and their communities at Ontario universities in increasing numbers, and it is our hope that more Indigenous youth will see the benefit of higher education if they are given more opportunities in primary and secondary schools.

The 2016 Federal Budget recognizes the value to Canada of strong postsecondary institutions, and Ontario universities are working to ensure their graduates are leading contributors to a strong economy."

David LindsayPresident and CEOCouncil of Ontario Universities

COU is the voice of Ontario's universities, promoting the value of education, research and innovation that leads to social, cultural and economic success.