Consumer Spending on Culture in 2005

in Canada, the Provinces and 15 Metropolitan Areas

February 21, 200721 February 2007

Some key findings of this report include:

Canadian consumers spent over $25 billion on cultural goods and services in 2005.
The $25.1 billion in cultural spending is 5% higher than the combined consumer spending on household furniture, appliances and tools ($24.0 billion).
Consumer spending on culture is over three times larger than the $7.7 billion spent on culture in Canada by all levels of government in 2003/04.
Spending on cultural goods and services grew by 48% between 1997 and 2005, much higher than the 18% rise in the Consumer Price Index during the same period.
Canadians’ spending on live performing arts is now more than double their spending on live sports events.
Cultural spending per capita varies significantly between the provinces, from a high of $971 in Alberta to a low of $691 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Alberta had the highest growth in consumer spending between 1997 and 2005, both on cultural goods and services and on all goods and services.
Among 15 metropolitan areas, Ottawa and Calgary have high per capita consumer spending on cultural goods and services.

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