Harper's War on Art: The Backlash Continues

It's been a busy 24 hours for those interested in Stephen Harper's attempts to muzzle Canadian artists. It started with an emergency Heritage Committee Meeting where opposition parties accused Harper of censorship and abuse of power:

""There is real concern the government is picking and choosing which artists it is supporting and which artists it is not supporting," said Nash.

"I suggest, in a democracy, that is a dangerous thing."

The cuts affect programs vital to promotion of Canadian arts abroad, and appear to have been aimed at artists whose politics and philosophies are out of favour with the Conservative government, she said."

These sentiments were echoed at a protest rally today in Montreal.

"Hundreds of people gathered in downtown Montreal on Wednesday to protest government cuts to arts and culture programs.

Artists, singers, actors, writers and politicians spoke out against some $48.5 million in funding cuts announced by the Conservative government earlier this summer.
They accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of censoring creative production in Canada, and harming the nation's image abroad.
The Tories' attitude suggests they scorn culture, says Marie Tifo, a Canadian actress and Genie Award winner."

There are also articles in various publications today hilighting the potential damage to museums, ballet and the music industry. Even the Indo-Canadian community, where the Conservatives once drew considerable support appears to have abandoned him :

"Prime Minister Stephen “Stevie” Harper and his ministers’ many blunders from arts funding cuts to drastic immigration changes to demonizing minorities like Muslims and Sikhs have led to a general negative opinion of minority as well as mainstream Canadians that the honeymoon wit the Conservatives is over as they are not doing a good job. "

It all makes you wonder why Harper is so eager for an election.