Amazingly, Stephen Harper's Tories want to fight an election on a pro-censorship platform. "Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is declaring film tax-credit legislation a matter of confidence in the Conservative government, meaning MPs could land on Canadian doorsteps this spring to debate the line between art and pornography.For those of you who don't know, Bill C-10 would allow a government appointed bureaucrat to censor films and television shows after they are made and, if they are deemed "offensive" in the personal opinion of that bureaucrat their funding would be pulled after the fact. This would have the effect of essentially ending the Canadian film and television industry. Very few people will be willing to invest in a production if part of the funding can be pulled after the fact because a bureaucrat didn't like it.
Mr. Flaherty said the legislation, known as Bill C-10, contains a range of important tax measures and changes will not be tolerated."
Interestingly C-10 would only apply to Canadian productions. American and other foreign films would still receive tax credits for shooting in Canada.
It is not really that surprising coming from this Government. Harper's (us Republican style tories - not to be confused with traditional Canadian conservatives) have, to date:
Now he would like to fight an election over his desire to sensor and if possible kill Canadian film and television.
The time has come for Stephen Dion and company to step up, or step down. Stephen Harper is not a fit prime minister. He would be more at home as a third world dictator, or perhaps in the Chinese government. If Mr. Dion and his liberals sit on their hands in this vote I will not even consider giving them a vote in the next election (whenever it comes). I like the Liberal (Gerard Kennedy) who will run in my riding, but I won't support a party that buries it's head in the sand and allows a direct attack on Canadian film and television. If they, once again, decide to abstain they will have to replace Stephen Dion before I will even consider them again.
2 comments:
Yes the Cons are bad, they are doing much of what the Liberal party said they would in the last election. What Canadians should be asking themselves is - why then is the Liberal Party supporting/allowing this government to do this? The answer is quite simple, the LPC is more concerned with their own quest for power than they are with their purported principles. It is Charlie Angus (NDP MP) that is fighting for copyright laws that artists can support. It was Dawn Black (NDP MP) who raised the alarm about the killing of CAIRS. It was Jack Layton (NDP Leader) who said that we needed to talk to moderate Taliban fighters if we are ever to get out of the morass that is Afghanistan. So as much as I agree that the Cons are bad, I can't stress enough that it is Mr. Dion and the Liberal Caucus that have failed miserably in their role as opposition. I am deeply disappointed as are many of my progressive friends who have voted for the Liberals in the past. BTW - not related specifically to your post - it was Peggy Nash (NDP MP Parkdale-High Park) who fought hard to stop the sale of MacDonald Detwiler and Associates (crucial Canadian space industry player) to a US arms manufacturer. Thankfully that was a win (at least for now) for progressives.
Kudos from one anonymous commenter to another.
It's the real progressives who have been standing up to Harper, while the Liberal's lay low waiting to improve their own fortunes. Talk about irreversible damage.
Peggy Nash has been quick to point out in the House that C-10 is nothing short of censorship. She's doing her job, that's why we elected her - and other New Democrats.
It's good to know that at least some of the people we send to Ottawa are doing their job.
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