> Why CHRC Is Necessary?
Perhaps more than any other, culture is a field in which people are the principal resource. This sector exists because of its people, their creativity and their resourcefulness, rather than natural resources, financial capital or manufactured goods. Its "raw materials" are infinitely renewable and potentially limitless. However, this labour force has its own patterns of work and training requirements, which challenge old ideas about how to prepare people for viable, lasting jobs and how to increase their skills, competency and mobility.
While 15% of the entire Canadian workforce is self-employed, in the cultural sector, 39% are self-employed. They are creators, artists, writers, actors, musicians, members of film crews, small magazine publishers, directors, editors, curators and museum personnel. They run small businesses and often have to do everything - not only maintaining and improving their cultural skills, but also planning, creating, producing, marketing, accounting, dealing with tax, legal, health and safety matters, developing their own training opportunities and providing their own social benefits. As a result, they need a wider range of skills than most employees.
CHRC responds to all of these needs, providing guidance, counsel and opportunities, on a number of levels.