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The Ontario government has slashed base funding to the Ontario Arts Council (OAC) by $5 million, as well as more than $2 million to the Indigenous Culture Fund.

The agency that gives grants and services to Ontario-based artists and arts organizations said base funding for 2018-19 will drop from $69.9 million to the 2017-18 level of $64.9 million.

Ontario NDP culture critic Jill Andrew said the cuts include suspending the Indigenous Culture Fund at a cost of $2.25 million, an initiative set up a year ago to support cultural activities and programming in Indigenous communities.

“The government’s cut of $2.25 million to the Indigenous Culture Fund at the Ontario Arts Council is a disturbing step back from the TRC’s Calls to Action,” Andrew said in a tweet.

READ MORE: Ontario government boosts funding for Ontario Arts Council

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“This and the $5 million cut to @ONArtsCouncil’s base funding is an alarming attack on arts and culture.”

The Indigenous Culture Fund was set up by the previous Liberal government in 2017 with an investment of $5 million annually.

The fund was part of the province’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC).

“Doug Ford’s cuts will cause the layoff of Indigenous staff, immediate cuts to granting budgets, and a significant cut to arts and cultural programming,” Andrew said in a media release on Friday.

“The cuts at the Ontario Arts Council come as part of Mr. Ford’s broader claw backs in Indigenous education and cultural programming and funding in Ontario, such as the cancellation of the Indigenous curriculum writing session earlier this summer. These shameful cuts impact the lives of Indigenous children, youth and elders.”

The OAC currently gets around $60 million a year from the province. By 2021 that was supposed to increase to $80 million.

A spokesperson for Tourism, Culture and Sport Minister Michael Tibollo said in a statement the government is reviewing the fund “to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly and efficiently.”

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“Individuals who have already received grants through the ICF will not be affected during this review. The OAC currently supports Indigenous artists through a number of grant programs

“Unfortunately, the previous Liberal government’s wasteful and irresponsible handling of the province’s finances has left us with a $15 billion deficit, and has forced us to make tough decisions,” Brett Weltman wrote.

He said people who received grants will not be affected by the review. Weltman said there are seven grant programs available for artists through the Ontario Arts Council.

“Professional artists and arts organizations play an important role in building a strong, prosperous economy while making valuable contributions to the quality-of-life in our province’s communities,” he said.

“That’s why our government will continue to invest in the Ontario Arts Council at the 2017-18 level of $64.9 million.”

— With files from Nick Westoll and The Canadian Press

The government's cut of $2.25 million to the Indigenous Culture Fund at the Ontario Arts Council is a disturbing step back from the TRC's Calls to Action. This and the $5 million cut to @ONArtsCouncil's base funding is an alarming attack on arts and culture. #onpoli #Culture https://t.co/4mRfTm3qVZ — Dr. Jill Andrew (@JILLSLASTWORD) December 14, 2018

Hi Scott – yes, we’ve seen a few tweets, too. OAC’s base funding for 2018-19 was originally $69.9 million; the government is continuing to invest in OAC at the 2017-18 level of $64.9 million. — Ontario Arts Council (@ONArtsCouncil) December 13, 2018

The Indigenous Screen Office calls on @MichaelTibollo and @fordnation to restore funding for the Indigenous Culture Fund at the OAC. This fund will help restore, preserve and foster Indigenous languages and storytelling in our communities. This is essential for reconciliation. — The Indigenous Screen Office (@screen_office) December 14, 2018

@fordnation @MichaelTibollo I ask you to immediately restore funding for the Indigenous Culture Fund at OAC. As a beneficiary of the fund, I can attest to the enormous impact that a small amount of funding had on a group of us in Ont. The Ont. gov't has #TRC obligations. #ONpoli — Danis Goulet (@danisgoulet) December 14, 2018

Here's what I'm able to share so far: “The Indigenous Culture Fund (ICF) funding was $5 million and has become $2.75 million for 2018 – 2019…Ontario is reviewing the Indigenous Culture Fund (ICF) to ensure taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly and efficiently to maximize — Aylan Couchie (@AylanX) December 14, 2018

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So when @fordnation cut the Indigenous Culture Fund, he hurt the Canadian economy. He is actually saying that Canadian businesses don’t matter and that he doesn’t want to see Indigenous people Independent, thriving or healthy. And perhaps that’s the point. — Christi Belcourt (@christibelcourt) December 14, 2018