Big news this week in Canadian cultural policy: the Harper government is was(?) moving through legislation that would empower the federal Heritage Minister to deny tax credits for film and television productions deemed 'offensive' or 'contrary to public policy'. The Globe and Mail caught the provisions, which are obscured deep inside an omnibus Income Tax Act bill, and published a story on Thursday. The arts community immediately picked up the scent of censorship; by week's end, vociferous (and unusually sensitive and well-composed) opposition was all over the Internet and overflowed the inboxes of MPs and Senators. Word on Friday evening was that the bill was been sent back to committee from the Senate. We're staying tuned.
Steven Harper should be taking extra vitamins this week, first feeling heat from the opposition on the Cadman affair and now the wrath of artists.
Some thoughts on arts funding from Kids in the Hall:
