We wish to draw your attention to an important issue that is occurring right now that affects the fashion industry and ask for your support.
In 2014-2015, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport invested approximately $800 million into the province’s cultural industries. To date, the fashion industry has been ineligible to receive any of this funding on the basis that it does not qualify as culture or arts.
Ashlee Froese, a fashion lawyer who is a Bay Street partner, co-chair of FGI, and a mentor with TFI and CAFA, is filing submissions to the Government of Ontario advocating that fashion should be eligible for government funding. A number of entities and individuals have officially endorsed her submission, including the Toronto Fashion Incubator, Fashion Group International, the Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards, Lisa Tant, Jeanne Beker, Stylist Box, Sue Roadburg, David Dixon, Suzanne Rogers, Deirdre Kelly, Paul Mason, Robert Ott, Sabrina Maddeaux, Ryerson Fashion Zone, Mikael D, Novella Magazine, Toronto Men’s Fashion Week.
We believe that mass support from within the fashion community will help get the fashion industry noticed.
We invite you to familiarize yourself with Ashlee’s submissions, which can be accessed here: Ontario Culture Consultation.
If you support this position, please sign the petition which can be accessed here. The deadline is December 7, 2015.
This submission has been endorsed by the Toronto Fashion Incubator, Fashion Group International, the Canadian Arts and Fashion Fund, Lisa Tant, Jeanne Beker, Suzanne Rogers, David Dixon, Paul Mason, Sue Roadburg, Dierdre Kelly and Stylist Box.
Together we can make this happen, together we will make this happen!
Thank you.
Canada Fashion Law 