Your Name (required) Your Email (required) Riding The Honourable Chrystia Freeland Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Department of Finance Canada 90 Elgin Street Ottawa, Ontario. K1A 0G5 Email:chrystia.freeland@fin.gc.ca Dear Minister Freeland, Upon the request of my constituents, I am writing to you today in support of the Canadian Artists’ Representation (CARFAC), and le Regroupement des Artistes en Arts Visuels du Québec (RAAV) proposal to enshrine the Artist’s Resale Right (ARR) into Canadian law. Together these organizations represent more than 5,000 visual artists and for more than 10 years, they have been advocating in favour of ARR for visual artists in Canada. Artists are among the lowest paid workers in the Canadian economy, and this modest change would go some way in providing long-term financial stability for visual artists and their families, as their art often increases in value over many years. As you are no doubt aware, the Artist’s Resale Right (ARR) would entitle visual artists to receive a royalty payment each time their work is resold publicly through an intermediary such as an auction or commercial gallery. CARFAC and RAAV propose that 5% of all eligible secondary sales of artwork sold for at least $1,000 should be paid back to the artist or their estate. The addition of the ARR in Canadian law would contribute to a more sustainable cultural workforce without ongoing cost to the government. Some important facts about the ARR: It is a royalty, not a tax. The government would not be involved with collecting, distributing, or monitoring the payment of royalties. It is particularly beneficial for Indigenous and senior artists. It applies to secondary sales of original artworks for the lifetime of the artist, and their estates. It applies to works sold in the secondary market for at least $1,000. ARR is already protected in more than 90 countries, including: Australia, United Kingdom, and all European Union members. In 2018, the Canadian Heritage Committee noted in its ‘Shifting Paradigms’ report that the ARR would maximize Canadian artists' contributions to Canada’s economic growth and productivity. My constituents and I would be grateful for the inclusion of this small legislative change in the 2024 Federal Budget. This could have a very significant and positive financial impact for artists across Canada, including those living within my constituency. Thank you again for your consideration of the Artist’s Resale Right proposal. Sincerely, [MP Name] [Riding] Δ
