tighten

as cuts

loom

The mood at Telefilm Canada, the National Film Board and the Canada Council is growing increasingly grim as each federal agency juggles the nuts and bolts of its operation to meet possible 5% to 8% cuts in government allocations over a four-year period.

September is the deadline for all federal agencies to respond to a program review launched this summer by Minister for Public Service Renewal Marcel Masse. The review requires each agency to submit recommendations to the government as to how 5% to 8% reductions could best be handled.

Masse’s criteria is to eliminate any overlap of agency programs and streamline services to suit public interest.

The nfb has chosen a two-tier strategy to fend off cuts. Part one argues for no cuts and part two addresses the 5% option (equivalent to a $14.3 million reduction).

In a memo to staff, nfb head Joan Pennefather says in the case of a 5% cut, the nfb would have to eliminate the Independent Coproduction Program (which has an effective budget of $4.2 million this fiscal year), slash 154 jobs (from the roster of approximately 625), close remaining film and video libraries, and reduce technical facilities, marketing and fixed costs.

Pennefather says an 8% reduction, coupled with last year’s $7 million chop, would mean a 35% budget drop, ‘and at that level of cut,’ she says, ‘the nfb would likely cut back production and regional centers, thus irretrievably altering its mandate.’

Peter Katadotis, interim head of Telefilm Canada, is mum on the subject of what the agency’s recommendations to Masse will be, despite widespread rumors that Telefilm will deal with any future cuts by sacrificing the Feature Film Distribution Fund and/or foreign and some regional Canadian offices.

Susan Ditta, spokesperson for the Canada Council, says there is nothing to report on the film program at this point, adding that treatment of the film program is all part of a larger strategic plan Canada Council head Roch Carriere plans to have in place by spring.

Cultural agencies will submit their reports to Heritage Minister Michel Dupuy, who will deliver his department’s conclusions to Masse. The final word will be delivered in February’s budget and any changes will be implemented April 1, 1995.