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People should be able to be successful, to have careers, to write music, to perform,
to be part of the cultural industries right here in Ontario and in Canada. So Michael
and I and our entire government are committed to supporting your work and Ontario's music
scene in a way that will grow our economy and create communities where people want to
live, where they want to put down roots, where they want to grow and succeed.
Each year our music sector generates more than $700 million in revenue and that supports
thousands of artists, technicians, distributors, helps local businesses, and obviously drives
tourism. We did pass our budget, we were actually able to get our budget passed, which means
we can move forward. [applause] That's right, it means we can actually implement the new
Ontario Music Fund! And we're hoping to make the grants available this fall, so we're moving
quickly. The grants will support recording and production in Ontario, will also help
expand music distribution, they'll help our local artists to reach new audiences, support
studios, record labels, distributors and promoters to innovate and grow.
But you and I know that this funding will do much more than that. People want to live
in a place where the culture is vibrant and the music is soulful, where they can go out,
they can enjoy themselves, they can feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves.
And our government really believes in the power of music to build the province up, that
is the economic argument. So I am so looking forward to seeing what
this fund can engender, and how we can grow this industry, and, as I say, continue to
allow music to be the best expression of who we are as Ontarians and Canadians. Thank you
very much. Merci.