Service Delivery and Core Business Areas

Core Business Areas Overview

The Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts was created in June 2005, bringing together several program areas essential to the health of our economy and communities: tourism and resort development; sport, recreation and volunteers; arts, culture and heritage; and the BC Film Commission. The ministry is responsible for seven Crown corporations and agencies that are directly accountable to the Minister, and for a broad range of legislation (see Appendices 1 and 2).

Core Business Area: Arts, Culture and Heritage

The Arts, Culture and Heritage division is responsible for cultural and heritage policy and programs; for the administration and delivery of government programs under the Arts Council Act and the Heritage Conservation Act; and for the administration of the Olympic Arts Fund Special Account. This core business area supports the development of a sustainable arts and cultural sector and a creative economy. It also works to build awareness and implement policies to facilitate the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of heritage sites, including pre- and post-European contact sites, for the benefit of present and future generations. This division managed expenditures of $28.3 million through the efforts of 36 full time equivalents (FTEs) in staff.

This core business area also supports the British Columbia Arts Council which provides opportunities for British Columbians to participate in the arts by supporting arts and cultural organizations and artists throughout the province.

Core Business Area: Sport, Recreation and Volunteers

The Sport, Recreation and Volunteers division supports the development of a sustainable recreation and sport system, which includes many partners including 2010 Legacies Now, Sport BC, BC Recreation and Parks Association, PacificSport and other provincial and multi sport and recreation agencies. It does this by facilitating quality opportunities to increase physical activity, participation and excellence in sport; developing public policy; providing funding to recreation and sport organizations; and working with local organizing and bid committees to promote British Columbia as a domestic and international event host. This core business area managed expenditures of $14.5 million through the efforts of seven FTEs.

The ministry also provides funding for the BC Games Society which is responsible for support to the BC Family of Games, thus enabling the development of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers in preparation for larger scale competitions and events. The BC Family of Games includes the BC Summer and BC Winter Games, the Northern BC Winter Games, the BC Disabilities Games and the BC Seniors Games.

The ministry is also responsible for coordinating government's involvement with organizations representing the voluntary sector and works in partnership with government and non-government organizations to develop, recognize, and build lasting capacity in this valuable labour force. This responsibility area was not yet staffed during the reporting period.

Core Business Area: Tourism and Resort Development

This division leads the implementation of the provincial plan and policies for sustainable development of tourism by: developing and implementing strategies to promote British Columbia and achieve significant increases in tourism; advancing product and sector development; issuing Crown land tenures for adventure tourism businesses and all seasons resorts; supporting major development agreements; managing the provincial system of forest recreation sites and trails; working with industry, not-for-profits and other levels of government to enhance the business climate for tourism growth; and undertaking market and trend research. Tourism and Resort Development managed expenditures of $7.7 million through the efforts of 44 FTEs.

Core Business Area: British Columbia Film Commission

The BC Film Commission supports the promotion of British Columbia's locations and infrastructure for use by the world's film, television and commercial production industries. It also offers production and post-production support for film-making. The commission managed expenditures of $1.3 million through the efforts of nine FTEs.

Core Business Area: Transfers to Crown Corporations and Agencies

In 2005/06, the ministry provided $131.3 million in transfers to five crown corporations and agencies:

Core Business Area: Executive and Support Services

This core business area managed expenditures of $2.1 million through the efforts of eight FTEs. It provides for the offices of the Minister and the Deputy Minister. The Ministry of Community Services provides shared management services to the Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts.

Service Delivery

The ministry works with a diverse set of partners and stakeholders, including other ministries, other orders of government, the private sector and not-for-profit organizations to deliver programs and services and develop policies that foster sustainable tourism, sport and arts sectors, and creative vibrant communities where people want to live, visit and invest.

Arts, Culture and Heritage

The ministry provides secretariat support to the BC Arts Council, an independent board accountable to the Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. The Council delivers grant and funding programs that support the arts and cultural sector to realize its social and economic potential. The council is held accountable through performance measures and targets identified in its service plan.

The ministry also works in partnership with other orders of government, the heritage community and the private sector to encourage and facilitate the protection and conservation of heritage in British Columbia. It has forged strong partnerships with heritage counterparts in federal and local governments, and continues to develop community heritage capacity through a variety of collaborative initiatives. The ministry supports the operation and management of 13 heritage properties in the province through service partners which include not-for-profit organizations, local governments and site managers. These partners are held accountable through performance objectives and targets established in contract and site management agreements.

BC Film Commission

The BC Film Commission works in cooperation with local and regional-based film offices to facilitate access to locations and facilities throughout the province. It partners with industry stakeholders and local communities to maintain B.C.'s international reputation as a film-friendly and cost-effective centre of production. The ministry supports regional film and television activity by providing program funding to eight regional film commissions throughout the province. These commissions are held accountable through criteria and deliverables identified in contribution agreements with the ministry. Other key partners include BC Film, local and international production companies, local labour unions, film studios, post production facilities, service suppliers, industry associations, municipalities, other ministries and government agencies, and the general public.

Tourism and Resort Development

The ministry works closely with key partners and industry associations to guide, support and encourage the sustainable economic development of the tourism sector. It works with stakeholders such as the Council of Tourism Associations (COTA), the Wilderness Tourism Association, the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC, Cruise BC and Conventions BC to resolve issues, coordinate investments and build strong relationships across the tourism sector. These efforts support diversification and growth in all regions of the province.

The ministry has established a service agreement with Front Counter BC to facilitate the delivery of its adventure tourism program. While the ministry continues to make statutory decisions regarding tourism and recreation land use, Front Counter BC guides clients through required authorizations, helps them complete application packages, tracks the status of applications filed and liaises between ministries, agencies and orders of government. It also interprets land information, maps and management plans; begins referral processes with First Nations; and helps identify and market economic development opportunities.

The management and maintenance of forest recreation sites and trails is accomplished through partnership agreements and service contracts with First Nations, local governments, community organizations and contractors. Partners and contractors are held accountable through the terms of their agreements and contracts. The ministry also conducts routine inspections to ensure compliance.

Sport, Recreation and Volunteers

The ministry works to achieve excellence in sport and increase physical activity by building on partnerships with other ministries, orders of government, not-for-profit organizations and the private sector. Key partners in this area include: Sport Canada to support a sport participation program and an Aboriginal Sport Excellence program; and the BC Lottery Corporation and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to deliver SportsFunder, a new lottery program to support amateur sport and physical activity. The ministry also provides funding to 2010 Legacies Now which administers funding to provincial and multi sport organizations to provide programs and services to athletes, coaches, participants, volunteers and others involved in sport and physical activity. 2010 Legacies Now is administered through contracts with specified deliverables.