Report of the Federal Cultural Policy Review Committee

Paul G. Thomas is a political science professor at the University of
Manitoba and the co-author of Canadian Public Administration:
Problematical Perspectives.

This document is popularly known as the Applebaum-Hebert Report in honour of the committee’s co-chairmen. The report ignited a storm of controversy when it first appeared and, by the time that this review is printed, the report will in all probability be gathering dust on library shelves. This outcome is unfortunate. It was the committee’s recommendations to dismantle the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the National Film Board which most destroyed the credibility of the report. The critics also found the report wanting in terms of a vibrant and coherent philosophy of culture, such as that presented in the Massey-Levesque Report three decades ago. This reviewer agrees with those criticisms. On the other hand, there is much of value in terms of advice to government found elsewhere in the report. For example, there is the practical and persuasive argument that cultural agencies should have greater independence from political control. There is an interesting attempt to delineate and to make sense of the federal government’s multiple roles in relation to cultural matters. It is perhaps not surprising that these “nuts and bolts” matters would appeal to a political science reviewer like the present writer, but I was also intrigued and impressed by the chapters dealing with the usually neglected aspects of cultural heritage and international cultural relations. There are also good chapters on the visual, applied, and performing arts, on the publishing industry, and on the sound recording industry. Like the majority of reviewers, I would dissent strongly from the committee’s recommendation that the CBC contract out to the private sector all program production except news and public affairs. In the rapidly changing broadcasting environment, the CBC remains, whatever its shortcomings, our best hope for the provision of a solid core of quality Canadian programs. Likewise, the proposal to transform the NFB into a film training centre would destroy another valuable national asset. The report’s analysis in support of its 101 recommendations is slim and, unfortunately, the committee chose not to publish the background studies that supported its conclusions. Readers can find a more complete treatment of the details of this topic in Paul Audley’s recent book, Canada’s Cultural Industries (Toronto: James Lorimer, 1983).