Canadian goverment: Keep your Tory hands off artistic content

The Canadian government is using clauses hidden away in Bill C10, an omnibus piece of legislation tweaking the Income Tax Act, to set itself up as the arbiter of which films and TV programs made in Canada are offensive, or not in the public interest. If C10 passes, the Heritage Minister will develop guidelines to deny tax credits (a key part of film and TV financing in Canada) to shows that step over the line--and it's anyone's guess how the Tories will define 'decency', 'obscenity', or 'contrary to public policy'.

The Tories' evangelical base is celebrating the new legislation as a victory: the Globe and Mail reports that "Charles McVety, president of the Canada Family Action Coalition, said his lobbying efforts included discussions with Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, and 'numerous' meetings with officials in the Prime Minister's Office. 'We're thankful that someone's finally listening,' he said yesterday. 'It's fitting with conservative values, and I think that's why Canadians voted for a Conservative government.' 'There are a number of Conservative backbench members that do a lot of this work behind the scenes,' he said."

Right.

What's more, most films and TV programs apply for tax credits late in the game, after scripts have been written and principal photography completed. They use the predictability of tax credits to apply for federal subsidies, loans, and Telefilm Canada grants. With the proposed new guidelines, films and TV programs with even a whiff of controversy will become risky for funders, and artists will be under strong pressure to self-censor.

Please join this group, encourage people you know to join, and WRITE LETTERS to Senators, MPs, party leaders, the Minister of Heritage, and others. You'll find contact info and sample letters below.

Bill C10 is currently in Third Reading, which is to say that there's little time to mobilize on this. (Though see the Discussion Board below for updates.) Please do what you can.

For more info, see:

Canada tax credits: strings attached (The Hollywood Reporter): http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/international/news/e3i0055cabe5256398a723f2462ae029b3c

Evangelist takes credit for film crackdown (Globe and Mail): http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080229.wculture29/BNStory/National/home

Tories plan to withhold funding for 'offensive' productions (Globe and Mail): http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080228.wheritage28/BNStory/robColumnsBlogs/