Justin Trudeau promises increased funding for the arts, CBC/Radio-Canada

A Liberal government would invest $380 million in new money into the country's cultural and creative industries, leader Justin Trudeau said today.

During acampaign stop in downtown Montreal,Trudeau told supporters and members of the Quebec arts community that culture and creative industries generatejobs and help to strengthen the economy.

He was introduced by his wife Sophie Gregoire, a former broadcaster and television host.

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Trudeau said that if the Grits form government following the Oct. 19 vote, they would:

It's not a coincidence Trudeau made the announcement in Quebec, a province with strong ties to its artistic communities.

Funding for the arts quickly became a critical campaign issue, especially in Quebec, during the 2008 federal election after the Conservatives made nearly $45 million in cuts to arts and culture funding. Many high-profile Canadians actors decried the cuts at a pre-election event in Toronto organized to drum up support for renewed arts funding.

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