What counts as Canadian heritage?

Our tax dollars are used to build community centers, dance halls, supporting various museums and art galleries. However, who get's to define what pieces of architecture deserve funding or more importantly is there meaning to be found beyond the standard definition of heritage? Take the recent controversy about the possible federal funding for the arena in Quebec City. Looking past this as a political move on the part of Stephen Harper is looking to pick up seats in Quebec for his majority many citizens have been wondering if funding a place like a arena is worth it? Now an arena provides us with a different type of culture and side of Canadian life. Sport as some authors call it is important to the Canadian lifestyle no matter what culture your from. Health experts encourage parents to enter their kids in leagues to foster their teamwork skills and of course get them off that couch. We can see this no better then the Vancouver Olympics. Though I do not remember where I was when Sydney Crosby scored the "Golden Goal" I remember watching that last few minutes. According to the CBC almost 1/3 of Canadians watched that moment which was a broadcasting record. No matter how you slice it sport is a important part of Canadian life. I think it is worthy of federal funding and contributes to the Canadian cultural theme enormously even if we look down upon it compared to say a art gallery.

Now recently there was talk around the Toronto Stock Exchange merging with the London Stock Exchange. Nationalists saw this as giving up Canadian sovereignty and having less control over our own economic fortunes. I doubt this will happen. Even if Harper approves the deal, which he will not, both Ontario and Quebec (since the Toronto Stock Exchange merged with the Montreal Stock Exchange) would use their veto's. A stock exchange is not exactly the first thing that comes into someones mind when they think about Canadian culture. However, it in a notable Canadian institution controlled by Canadians. I would prevent this deal strictly on the grounds of Canadian sovereignty and that we were not getting a fair share of the economic pie. Beyond this we can see that even a "private building" deserves just as much attention as that public library or arena.

Canadian heritage is a tricky subject especially when funding is involved. Canadian culture has been called dynamic. So, let's keep up that standard and fund or support something non-standard. Is that not the Canadian way?