We reported this morning that the federal government would be cutting PromArt, a grant program that helped Canadian artists travel abroad and promote Canadian culture. That program was run by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

A few minutes ago, the Department of Canadian Heritage announced the end of its "Trade Routes" program.

What is Trade Routes?
"Trade Routes is a comprehensive trade development program specifically designed for Canada’s arts and cultural sector. The program helps profit and not-for-profit organizations in the arts and cultural sector prepare to export and sell in international markets.
In particular, the program offers access to market research, trade experts in Canada and abroad, and financial support."

So far as we can tell there has been no official announcement about the closure of the PromArt program but, if you check the program's application page, you'll see the notice that the program will be discontinued on March 31, 2009. That notice wasn't there yesterday.

UPDATE: My colleague Amy Husser has more on the cuts to Trade Routes.