With the upcoming federal election, we believe it is important for voters to understand where each candidate and party stands on key issues related to arts, culture, heritage, equity, and reconciliation.
To support this goal, we invited candidates running in the Columbia-Kootenay-Southern Rockies riding to respond to our Federal Arts, Culture & Heritage Candidate Questionnaire.
This is the response from Reggie Goldsbury (Liberal):
- What role do you believe the federal government should play in supporting Canada’s arts, culture, and heritage sectors, particularly in rural and remote communities?
In these uncertain economic times the federal government has a clear responsibility to ensure that the arts and cultural sector thrives—not just in major urban centres, but across Canada, including our small and rural communities. Programs like the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund (CCSF) are instrumental in improving physical conditions for arts and heritage activities, supporting renovations, construction, and specialized equipment purchases.
I will be a strong voice ensuring our small community artists and cultural workers are not left out of national conversations or funding opportunities. As your MP helping your organizations find and take advantage of existing programs is also an important role for me. I know how resources are stretched in our community groups. For me, my job is to help you and your organizations get the most out of federal government programs.
- How does your party plan to ensure long-term, sustainable funding for arts, culture, and heritage organizations, as well as individual artists and cultural workers?
Stable, predictable funding is key to allowing artists and cultural organizations plan, grow, and take creative risks. The Liberal Party has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to this through programs such as the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, which supports professional arts festivals and performing arts series, and the Canada Music Fund, which increases access to a diverse range of Canadian music. I support reviewing and strengthening these mechanisms to ensure long-term sustainability—especially in a post-pandemic recovery context.
I’m also open to hearing your suggestions for sustainable funding. It appears the Liberal Party will be governing again, making me the candidate with the closest ties to the policy and decision makers. I intend to use that advantage for our Kootenay needs.
- What specific policies would you support to advance equity and inclusion in the arts, culture, and heritage sectors—particularly for Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and disabled communities?
- How will your party address systemic inequities in federal funding programs and ensure more equitable access to resources across all regions of Canada?
Equity must be at the heart of cultural policy. Programs like the Museums Assistance Program’s Indigenous Heritage Component support the preservation and presentation of Indigenous cultural heritage, ensuring that underrepresented communities have access to the resources they need to tell their stories.
I support efforts to improve representation and access for Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, and disabled artists—not just in funding, but in leadership and decision-making. This includes reforming grant processes to remove barriers and ensure a more regionally balanced distribution of support.
5. How does your party plan to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action related to arts, culture, and heritage (specifically Calls 67–70)?
- What steps will you take to help preserve and promote Canada’s diverse cultural heritage, including Indigenous languages, traditional knowledge, and heritage sites?
The TRC’s Calls to Action, particularly 67–70, should guide our cultural policy. Continued investment in Indigenous-led initiatives, language revitalization, and heritage site preservation is essential. The Documentary Heritage Communities Program provides funding to support the preservation of Indigenous documentary heritage, aligning with the spirit of these Calls to Action. These are not only acts of reconciliation but fundamental to Canada’s collective identity.
7. How will your party support museums, archives, cultural centres, and heritage institutions—especially those serving small or remote communities?
Our museums, theatres, archives, and cultural centres are vital to community life. The Access to Heritage component of the Museums Assistance Program helps small and remote organizations circulate exhibitions and reach broader audiences. I recognize the unique challenges you face: limited volunteers, reduced access to materials and supplies, and less corporate support than in urban areas. I will advocate for greater logistical and operational support to ensure that our small community arts organizations remain resilient and accessible.
- How will you ensure that the arts, culture, and heritage sector—whose contributions to the economy and community well-being are substantial—is recognized as essential, and not sidelined during times of economic uncertainty or political change?
The arts are not a luxury. They are essential to community well-being, education, and economic vitality. Programs like Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage celebrate local talent and traditions and help foster pride and belonging. It is vital that the cultural sector is never sidelined—especially in times of economic or political uncertainty.
9. How would you advocate for improved protections and social supports for cultural workers (e.g., affordable housing and studio space, employment insurance, health benefits, or basic income)?
I recognize the challenges many cultural workers face, including precarious employment and lack of benefits. I support ongoing efforts around affordable housing, health coverage, employment insurance reform, and access to studio spaces. The Liberal Party has an extensive platform to address the social concerns. My current job is with the team leading social investment in the Kootenays. These investments are imperative.
I further lend my support to programs like the Canada Community Revitalization Fund help improve the spaces where artists work and perform, contributing to a healthier ecosystem for cultural workers.
- What role should the federal government play in addressing the specific needs of Indigenous artists and cultural custodians, particularly concerning the provision of Indigenous cultural spaces in rural and remote communities, as well as in relation to cross-border Nations and tribes?
- What role should the federal government play in ensuring that non-Indigenous institutions and communities are educated in Indigenous protocols, traditional and contemporary laws, and the principles of Indigenous governance—particularly in relation to land, art, culture, and civic decision-making?
- How do federal responsibilities—under frameworks like the TRC Calls to Action, UNDRIP, and DRIPA—inform policy on unceded lands, housing, education, and immigration? Why is it essential to prioritize equity (not just equality) and include Indigenous Nations in decisions that impact land, culture, water, and community development?
Respecting Indigenous governance, protocols, and sovereignty must be central to cultural policy. This includes the provision of dedicated cultural spaces, recognition of cross-border considerations, and meaningful, ongoing consultation with Indigenous communities. The Indigenous Heritage component of the Museums Assistance Program provides targeted support. Frameworks like UNDRIP and the TRC Calls to Action should continue to guide federal action on unceded lands and shared cultural stewardship.
- If elected, how will you stay engaged with local artists, cultural workers, and heritage organizations to ensure their voices are heard in federal policy decisions
I’m committed to using 21st-century tools to maintain an ongoing two-way dialogue with local artists, cultural workers, and heritage organizations. If elected, I will ensure our region’s voices are heard in Ottawa, using digital communication, regular outreach, and open forums to stay connected. I will work with you to assist in finding the federal initiatives available for your group. I believe strongly that cultural policy should be informed by the people living it, not imposed from above.