Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to speak about the creative arts industry. I'm referring in part to our painters and storytellers, musicians and film makers, carvers and authors. They are the people in our communities who tell our stories. Through their art, in whatever form that takes, our creative artists give form and shape to our identity as individuals, as communities, and to this great territory.
It is also important to recognize that the North's creative industries go well beyond the performing and visual arts. The creative industry is very diverse -- advertising, architecture, crafts, design, fashion, television and film, information technology, and even museums, galleries, and libraries show that we are surrounded with an abundance of creative artists in a multitude of mediums. These mediums impact our everyday lives on many levels.
Mr. Speaker, creative arts contribute in very significant ways to our economy. This is an important element of our goal of a diversified economy, and that's also why I support investment by this government in the creative arts community.
Of course, artists and those employed in the creative industries make money, sell their wares, pay their rent and mortgages, and pay their taxes like everyone else. That's a significant factor in any local economy.
Beyond that, the performing and visual arts help to draw and retain people to our communities. An artistic community is a more welcoming, inclusive, exciting place to live and visit. Investment in the arts community can provide multiple economic spinoffs, including increased cultural tourism, more support for emerging artists, and increased investment from other levels of government and the private sector.
A vibrant creative community challenges creativity in all of us in all kinds of endeavours. New ideas encourage more new ideas. New creative experiences promote innovation in all fields. Canada is a leader in many creative fields like graphic design and architecture. In the North, we can build on that creativity in the areas that are significant for our own economic growth. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
---Unanimous consent granted