Anglophones get a nod in Quebec's new cultural policy, but funding remains unclear

The Quebec government's new $600-million cultural policy acknowledges the "undeniable" contribution of the anglophone community to Quebec's culture, but it offers few concrete details on how anglophone cultural institutions might benefit.

Premier Philippe Couillard and Culture Minister Marie Montpetitpresented the sweeping cultural action plan before an audience of 200 industry insidersin downtown Montreal Tuesday morning.

The five-year plan includes financial commitments foralmost every aspect of culture, includingfilm and TV production, digital entrepreneurship, more school field trips to cultural events, andeven $5 million to allow museums to offer free admission one Sunday every month.

English languagenot mentioned in financial document

While the new policy clearly underlines the important role of anglophone culture in Quebec, the accompanying documentthat spells out specific financial commitments makes no mention of anglophonesor anglophone cultural institutions.

While there's no mention of English, the document does mention other languages.

It sets aside $11.5 million toprotect the French language, including "intensifying thepromotionof the usage of the Frenchlanguagein the public space."

It also makesspecific mention of recognizing the value of Aboriginal languages, as part of a $17-million investment in First Nations culture.

At the news conference,Couillardinsisted that the anglophone community was an important part of the plan, mentioningLeonard Cohen as an obvious example of the richness of anglophone culture in Quebec.

"English-speakingQuebecersare part of our community, and their culture also must be seen and be heardas part of the Quebec culture,"Couillardsaid.

'At least they have made the commitment'

Guy Rodgers, executive director of the English Language Arts Network, said even without specific financial commitments,mentioning anglophones like thisis significant.

"There's an inherent complication in supporting and promoting French, and finding a place for English, and we've been hearing that they were having a very difficult time within the ministry juggling those two propositions," Rodgers told CBCNews.

"In the briefing documents, there was nothing about English-speaking artists. There was only one reference to the 'problem' of artists performing in English," Rodgers said.

Rodgers said the final policy document is therefore a big improvement.

"Given that we came into the process very pessimistic, we're OK with where we are at the end of this. Exactly what they're going to do is not clear, but at least they have made the commitment," he said.

While the plan makes spending commitments over five years, it my never see the light of day if the Liberals are unseated in the fall election, set for Oct. 1.

PQ leader Jean-Francois Lise said releasing the plan in the monthsbefore an election makes it more like a campaign promise, rather than a genuine policy document.