2004-03-17

A report, prepared in 2003 and released to the public for the first time today, shows that Canadian consumers spent Can$ 21.3 billion on cultural goods and services in 2001, an amount that is greater than spending on tobacco, alcohol and games of chances combined. The $21.3 billion in consumer spending is over three times higher than government spending on culture in Canada. The report also shows that consumer spending on live performing arts events is nearly double the spending on live sporting events.