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Artists ‘should be landlords, not tenants'

TENILLE BONOGUORE AND MURRAY CAMPBELL

Globe and Mail Update

Latest comment posted at 12:06 PM EST 24/09/08

Prominent Canadian artists unite against Stephen Harper's controversial statements about ‘rich gala' arts ...Read the full article

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  1. Canada Rocks! from Calgary, Canada writes: “We should be the landlords of our own industry, not the tenants,” said veteran actor and CBC presenter Gordon Pinsent.

    I fully agree.

    Last time I checked though receiving gov't subsidies and dipping into slush funds to travel the globe to promote one's work doesn't make you a 'landlord'.
  2. D. MacKay from Atlantic, Canada writes:

    “We should be the landlords of our own industry, not the tenants,” said veteran actor and CBC presenter Gordon Pinsent.

    As any landlord will testify , you need enough for the down payment.

    If you can't contribute the 10% needed , then stick with renting and cease the panhandling whine.
  3. Clarence Bauer from writes: The wealthy like to attend elite cultural events that are subsidized by ordinary Canadians who still cannot afford it.

    If it so worthwhile surely the people who attend can pay for themselves.

    The average Canadian is being hosed.

    Of course Layton and Dion will try to sway votes with huge promises of money. They do this on every issue. If they ever get into power they would have two choices: Break the promises or break the country.
  4. spicydoc of the spring from Canada writes:

    The 'artists' are getting bent out of shape over a paltry 1.5% cut to their budget. $45 million. Including a $5 million free vacation fund that was cut. Boohoo.

    $45 million represents about a buck fifty per Canadian. Let's assume Harper is correct, and that 90% of Canadians don't care about cutting free vacations from the budget.

    That still leaves 3 million Canadians who are (presumably) outrages about Harper's neanderthal cuts. $15 dollars per person who cares.

    If the 'artists' want to be 'landlords', then all they have to do is get the 10% of Canadians who are outraged to send them 20 bucks each. No receipt, no nothing...just a gift. This would give the landlords $60 million to spend as they like.

    Why don't they just do this?? Everybody would be happy.

    It won't happen, and we've seen the reason already---the same reason nobody is helping Dion pay off his 600,000 debt.

    Lefties and 'artists' want other people to pick up the tab. Paying for their own hobbies is just so....so....'gauche'....
  5. Counterspinner tells the truth from Canada writes: What planet are these people on? They think taxpayer money is a right instead of a privilege. Why don't they go after corporate donations instead of taxpayer money? Shameful that layton and dion are representing this gang of beggars..... now more than ever, vote Conservative.
    Here's an idea - take money from the CBC and give to these artists! or better yet, take the money from the CBC and put it towards paying down the national debt..
  6. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    Wranglers and rednecks.

    Now that's CCRAP culture!

    ABC
  7. little bear from Canada writes: It is hard to believe that these people walk among us and have a right to vote.

    If they are any good the public will support them but not out of tax dollars.

    Get a job like the rest of us.

    Years ago as a percussionist I had a decision to make, either continue making music and making peanuts or get a job and play on the side.

    My family felt it necessary to eat a couple of times a day and have a roof over their heads. Now I can beat my little drum with a few bucks in my pocket.

    What ticks me off is that all this time I could have been on the dole from Gov. living the life of Riley, travelling etc. on your tax dollars.

    Damn Did not know
  8. David Gibson from Hamilton, Canada writes: I think that art is one of the most important things in western civilization, and I am not a pontificating free-marketeer. However, I have my reservations about people demanding that taxpayers pay for something which nobody would buy voluntarily. When I think of great art - either in the popular sense or to my own taste - I can't think that much of it was governmentally subsidized. True, some great artists in times of old were subsidized by the rich, but only because the artists were so talented that they would become household names. I fear that too many of our 'artists' know only three chords, or draw dogs which end up looking like tooth-brush holders. Granted, they may be more inspirational than the famous Meat Dress of old.
  9. JM Work from Canada writes: Pay your own bills and you wont have to be a landlord.
  10. HARPER 178 SEATS, NDP 58, LIBS 42 BLOC 28 GREEN 2 from Canada writes: i think the first order of buisness when harper become majoraty leader is shut down all funding to the cbc. all they are is a way to get out the liberal lies. i have watched the cbc ctv and the rest are pretty good at not being biast but the cbc will do all they can to make harper look bad. we do not need a publick brodcaster we have lots of private ones that do a lot better job and if the public wants a public brodcaster that the public who wants it can pay for it like pbs and the rest of them listners pay. time to take away its funding and make it a user pays system
  11. Popeye Dillon from North Vancouver, Canada writes: Once the CBC is dismantled there will be lots of money for the arts. Unless you believe that the CBC ' Fox News of the left' creates any form of art.
  12. Centerist Tory From Calgary from Canada writes: The New Democrat that just resigned should have applied for a subsidy under one of these artist programs so passionately being supported by this group of welfare loving artists --Asking to have a bunch of minors finger painting his nude body is art isn't it?
  13. jack Bauer from Canada writes: If no one buys the crap, then who are the artisits to tell us bad art is Canadian culture.............we subsidize people to tell us what is culture, I think not. If on ther other hand a subsidized artist hits the big time will you pay us back???
  14. Richard Soley from writes: Balderdash, the concept that taxpayers should be funding, or otherwise distorting the market just because some 'artist' cries 'it's Canadian' or it's 'culture'. I pay my taxes and I decide what I will buy, listen to, watch, appreciate with the rest of my money. The idea that a politican should decide what is 'art' is a joke as well as an affront to taxpayers. Example: the tax on CD's because the singers cry foul so those of us in business who do not download are forced to subsidize the guitar players! CBC is another taxpayers anchor that should be disbanded. Canada culture will survive because it is good, not because it is funded by overtaxed, hardworking citizens shafted by free spending politicans responding to local selective groups. Tough but realist.
  15. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: Make sure you add up the value of all the 'third party' political advertising done by grant-seeking 'artists'.

    Liberals hate 'non-party' involvement in elections and passed laws to prevent it. Let's hope they're consistent in applying that principle!

    HAHAHAHAHA!!
  16. Dave AAA from Canada writes: If I like your art, guess what, I'll pay for it. But please stop demanding that the taxpayer pay for some wacko artist to hang rabbits in trees. MRI vs arts .......Hmmmmm
  17. Risa Roos from Cowtown, Canada writes: HARPER 178 SEATS, NDP 58, LIBS 42 BLOC 28 GREEN 2: I guess when you can't spell or put together a proper sentence, then funding to arts and culture can't be important to you, nor would education, for obvious reasons...
  18. Kim Morton from Canada writes: Get a job if your hobby won't support you. They call this an industry. Any industry that can not support its self but must depend on tax dollars we can do without. Next move should be to make the irrelevant CBC self supporting or do away with it. I work for my pay cheque and don't like governments squandering it to support what somebody decided is 'culture'. Most of this so called art and culture you couldn't drag me to in a coffin.
  19. S. Morris from Ottawa, Canada writes:
    I cannot believe the audacity of some of the members of the so-called Arts and Culture community. Statements such as the following clearly illustrate the 'culture of entitlement' exhibited by these groups.
    “We should be the landlords of our own industry, not the tenants,” said veteran actor and CBC presenter Gordon Pinsent.
    Mr. Pinsent a landlord has made a heavy investment into his/her property in order to be able to rent it out to tenants and in turn to hoepfully collect a return on his/her investment.
    Similarily the arts and culuture community should invest in itself, or seek private investment, if it is to succeed in this country. Only then can it truly become self-sufficient. For example, if a production company is consistently producing flops how long would private investors continue to back a bad product. Here in Canada we seem to back prenneal losers. We must find a balance.
    Government funding/assistance has produced some very good 'marketable' programs. 'How It's Made' and 'Just For Laughs' come to mind as personal favourites. However, the whole misconception here is that everyone seems to think Harper has withdrawn all funding to the Arts and Culture community which is simply not true.
    continued in next post...
  20. Terry F from Edmonton, Canada writes: All throughout history artists were looked on as rather odd, pitiful creatures. Acting was equilvalent to prostitution. It's only now that the thriving entitlement culture thinks artists deserve more than they ever have from time immemorial. I'm with little bear. I'm also a former full-time musician who wised up, got a little more education, a much better career, and now I can afford all the musical instruments I want and I still play. I even know of one keyboard player that still refuses to get a job or dump his old smoke-spewing 1973 Mercury Marquis because he feels it's part of the bona fides he needs to look like an 'artist.' There's a reason why there are starving artists. It's self-inflicted poverty.
  21. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: Hey Pinsent, bad metaphor

    Landlords pay the bills, or go out of business.
    Landlords make sure someone wants the property, or they lose money.

    No room for whining or panhandling or self-indulgence there.
  22. David Griffith from NS, Canada writes: If the CBC and other lefties want to whine about their elitist pursuits, whine away. The VAST majority of regular Canadians are more concerned with real issues such as the economy, taxes, unity and public safety. The left can unite and whine in harmony all they want, but it won't sway the electorate. Except perhaps the 0.001% who think my tax dollrs should subsidize their work. Think about it: health care, jobs, infrastructure, tax relief, and the list goes on. Culture hand-outs: are you KIDDING me???

    What we are seeing here is the capitulation of the left. Being soundly beaten on all the major issues, they resort to getting a few actors, painters and authors to campaign for them on a flashy yet largely irrelvant issue. Its called desperation, folks. Desperation.
  23. Norman Ouston from Armstrong BC, Canada writes: Arts program cuts memo (at least its my opinion anyhow.)

    What in hell is all the kerfuffle about? The government is not shutting down theatres, closing galleries. It is not blacklisting artists or actors. It is not against the arts at all

    They, the sensible government, are merely trimming the industry’s overpayment for non-essentials. Any good corporate CEO and staff would do the same in times of economic downturn.

    The artists are still getting nearly 5 BILLION in support, guidance and indeed, help from the people of Canada.

    Settle down you artists and actors, be thankful we still give. I am the people.

    Adios Amigos

    Noim da Woim
  24. S. Morris from Ottawa, Canada writes:
    ...continued from previous post.

    As for Dalton McGuilty's hopping on the bandwagon with his comments:

    'Premier Dalton McGuinty also weighed in on the issue although he refused to single out Mr. Harper for blame.

    He said arts and culture “enrich us not only economically but in so many other ways.” He said a society does not reveal itself through its roads and golf courses but rather through its literature, architecture and music.

    “It simply enriches the enjoyment of our lives,” Mr. McGuinty said. “I think that's pretty powerful stuff and I think we should continue to find ways to support arts and culture.”

    Well Mr. McGuilty, personally speaking, my life would be tremendously enriched if you were to focus on the 'roads' and not on these federal issues which you seem to be more intent on. Why Dalton to you insist on getting involved with things that are really beyond your scope at the moment? This whole issue is being addressed during a federal election, you'll get your chance during the next provincial election. In the interim please stick to the facing the peoples of Ontario which you seem to avoid.
  25. John the Baptist from Canada writes:

    The only part of our culture that requires a subsidy is our culture of entitlement.
  26. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: The Arts community is railing against a $45 million dollar cut when they receive over $3 billion in funding from the government annually. This government has also increased funding to arts by 8% over the past Liberal government.

    Why didn't the artists tell us these facts when they held their news conference today? I support Harper's position as do most Canadians outside of Montreal and Toronto.
  27. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: I can't believe these people just played into the hands of the Tories SO easily! No so Bright, I think.

    Do they not know that only 8% of Canadians choose to watch CBC TV after having had a look at it?
  28. David Griffith from NS, Canada writes: HARPER 178 SEATS, NDP 58, LIBS 42 BLOC 28 GREEN 2 from Canada writes: i think the first order of buisness when harper become majoraty leader is shut down all funding to the cbc. all they are is a way to get out the liberal lies. i have watched the cbc ctv and the rest are pretty good at not being biast but the cbc will do all they can to make harper look bad. we do not need a publick brodcaster we have lots of private ones that do a lot better job and if the public wants a public brodcaster that the public who wants it can pay for it like pbs and the rest of them listners pay. time to take away its funding and make it a user pays system
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    With its shamless and in-your-face pandering to the left, the CBC is digging its own grave, as a Tory will begin dismantling this biased 'news' organization and forcing it to sink or swim on its own.
  29. Greg Out West from Canada writes: Comments so far are fairly one sided. Stand on your own two feet like the rest of Canadians. You're not special or different from the rest of Canadians.
    Wow a government that treats all Canadians as equals and doesn't just favor the ones who vote for them. What a concept.
  30. David Griffith from NS, Canada writes: If this thread is any indication of support for this leftist whine, I'd recommend culture types $hut up right about now, as all they are doing is stirring up negative public opinion, hence support, for their efforts.

    PAY YOUR OWN DAMNED WAY!
  31. Erik Sorenson from Canada writes: The oinks from those at the trough are predictable. As another poster has written, handouts from any government are not a right. If products of art and culture are so profitable and beneficial to Canada, or in such demand, then let's see that proven. Cut off all funding and let's see whose atistic or cultural productions or products make money.

    If there's a lot of 'business failures' through this process, and probably 95% will fail (to be generous), I guess we will all know that it's a pile of bullplops that these 'enriching artists' are complaining about.
  32. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: Greg, what bugs Canadians every time is that, as an affluent country, we all spend a good chunk of our after-tax income on arts and entertainment. Most people support the arts they prefer. So the attitude that an extra $3 Billion a year in grants and programs to support things that the public generally does not prefer should be met with gratitude, not open hostility to regular Canadians. They come off as greedy snobs.
  33. Missa A from Toronto, Canada writes: Average artists who benefit from subsidies aren't the wealthy elites people are talking about. They depend on subsidies to be able to support themselves while producing their work. Many of them have other jobs as well, often low-paying service-sector jobs. They perform or display their work in small local venues, galleries and playhouses that themselves need subsidies to continue to operate. Or other venues, like local pubs whose owners support the arts, or on the street. These are people who work hard to realize their ambitions to become cultural touchstones for Canadians. Their interests are not at odds with those of 'ordinary Canadians' -- if there is such a thing as 'ordinary Canadians', they would be included in that category. Moreover, as explained in the article, having a thriving arts sector, with all its supporting occupations, contributes considerably to the economy, as well as to our quality of life. In addition to this direct contribution, studies show that cities with a high quality of life, including a thriving arts scene, are better able to attract entrepreneurs and innovators. Harper's ideas about 'ordinary Canadians', in my opinion, are highly problematic. The term, especially when coupled with 'hard working', seems to be loaded with presumptions about class, race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, and (dis)ability. By appealing to 'ordinary Canadians', Harper implies that there are abnormal Canadians who do not need to be included in the democratic process, despite the fact that they have the same rights as anybody else. Harper is practicing the politics of exclusion. He is the real elitist here.
  34. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: HARPER 178 SEATS, NDP 58, LIBS 42 BLOC 28 GREEN 2 from Canada writes:
    time to take away its funding and make it a user pays system
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    David Griffith from NS, Canada writes: With its shamless and in-your-face pandering to the left, the CBC is digging its own grave, as a Tory will begin dismantling this biased 'news' organization and forcing it to sink or swim on its own.

    ____

    Totally agree, CBCTV has turned itself into a specialty cahnnel for a small minority fo far-lefties. Why not turn it into a pay channel and then it can stay like that, just the way they like it - a 24 Hour Michael Moore festival.
    It makes the most sense rather than trying to 'fix' it at this point.

    To update the hippie poster:
    It will be a great day when the CBC has to hold a bake sale to disseminate left-wing propaganda and our Armed Forces have the resources they need to do their job.
  35. Moi Too from Canada writes: Cons, the arts in Canada generate more revenue than mining and forestry combined. Which part of that don't you get?

    Conservative economic policy in the West has lead us to the brink of the largest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Which part of that don't you get?

    In recent history many Canadian Conservative governments, Mulroney, Harris etc, left deficits not balanced budgets. Which part of that don't you get?

    The most heavily socialized subsidized area in Canada is business not the arts. Which part of that don't you get?

    Cons, your economic policies have failed. Which part of that don't you get?
  36. Kan Tankerous from Tronna, Canada writes:

    It's remarkable how similar CCRAPers are to the fanatical wing of U.S. Republicans.

    If you don't agree with us then shut up!

    Charming creatures.

    ABC
  37. Norman Ouston from Armstrong BC, Canada writes: Hmmmm.... Artists can shout from a stage, rail on street corners but they don't seem to have the ability to come close to a computer to defend their so called honorable requests for another load of free dough.

    Mr. Harper has a winner on this subject.

    Way to Go Conservatives.

    NBC

    Nothing But Conservative

    Adios Amigos

    Noim da Woim.
  38. Rebel Prince from Berlin, Germany writes: This is all basically a replay of what the Liberal Party of Australia (that's right-wing conservative) did under Howard. Harper is using their play book and has hired their strategists.

    Assuming 'ordinary' Canadians are no more intelligent than their Australian counterparts, the hoax will work famously for a while. Harper will get at least one majority before working-class and middle-class Canadians finally wake up to their own stupidity and see how they've been duped to vote against their own economic and social interests for years.

    Voter apathy and dimness were always the Achilles heal of democracy.
  39. c rob from Canada writes: So the Arts, the entire Arts, contribute nothing. I would like to know where Mr. Harper thinks he has the right to equate for me, an average Canadian, what I think about when I think about the arts. A star studded gala? No. But I really think he should ask his wife about that type of thing. She seems to know more about it than me.
    What hypocrisy.
  40. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: Missa A from Toronto, (of course) Canada writes: Average artists who [blah blah first-year sociology essay], Harper implies that there are abnormal Canadians who do not need to be included in the democratic process, despite the fact that they have the same rights as anybody else. Harper is practicing the politics of exclusion. He is the real elitist here.

    No, (you still get a vote, and waste it) we are talking about subsidy which is taking money from one Canadian by force, and giving it to another Canadian. Nothing in your essay justifies extorting money from one Canadian and giving it to another. Artists will continue to produce and sell art of all kinds without any need for government money, and since we already spend $3 Billion per year......
  41. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Sammy White from Canada writes: Nice to see you Con liars out in force. Do you really think anyone believes your B.S.
    ------------------------------------
    The cuts are $45 million in a $3 billion annual arts fund from the government. The Conservatives have increased funding to the arts by 8% over the last Liberal government.

    Sammy, please explain what is incorrect or BS as you put it?
  42. Erik Sorenson from Canada writes: @Missa A: $2 billion a year is 'practicing the politics of exclusion'? Get real. And an 8% increase in cultural funding over the past two years is harming the Arts? Get real again.

    Maybe you'd like to be an auto worker facing layoffs because of tanking markets, or a forestry worker in the same situation, or take your pick of a dozen other hardship jobs and environments (including financial jobs, the latest casualty), all of whom are being asked to support your thirst for more and more 'arts and culture' money.

    I work, have a budget for what i earn and can spend at home, and most Canadians are the same. And your 'demands' are getting very tiresome. If you can't live on what Canadians can afford to give you via government handouts, then find another (better paying) profession, cut back like we are doing on expenditures, or get a second job.

    I've given enough, more than enough, and the trough isn't going to get any bigger for you and your associates.
  43. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: Rebel 'Voter apathy and dimness were always the Achilles heal of democracy.'

    Everytime, when lefties lose, it's because WE are stupid, not their ideas.
    Check.
  44. City Wok from Toronto, Canada writes: Ya see, the problem is just what harper has said. That most humans come home, sit on our spotted behinds, and flick on the idiot box.

    Let's not forget that the fragmented, often unintelligent babble from TV also is also a creative outlet, and could be considered an art of one sort, although mass marketed, and well...crudely developed plot lines we've seen over and over again.

    And Lection Fever, the problem with your idea is it won't be something you can 'just order' it will be bundled into 30 other channels by Robbers Communications, and some more zero option billing enforced by merely giving you horrible alternatives.

    You know, there is the u.s. just south of here where you pay for everything just like you do here, except it goes to some rich person who would never dream of living anywhere near the likes of you/us.

    I mean if you prefer giving millions to Uber Global Corp of Switzerland, rather than the tax base, I think you are mad.

    I have friends who tell me that instead of paying more taxes, they just get bills for e.g., 'the street lights' from x company etc., It is not cheaper, just more rewarding for those whose fangs are already plunged into the collective throat.
  45. Rebel Prince from Berlin, Germany writes: That's exactly right, Lection. Excellent deduction.
  46. c rob from Canada writes: Art has been funded throughout the ages either by governments or by kings. To argue otherwise is to simply lie. But hey, let's not speak truth.
  47. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Moi Too from Canada writes: Cons, the arts in Canada generate more revenue than mining and forestry combined. Which part of that don't you get?...we do get it Moi that is why the government funds the arts to the tune of $3 billion annually and the Conservatives have increased funding to arts by 8%. What don't you get?

    Conservative economic policy in the West has lead us to the brink of the largest economic crisis since the Great Depression. Which part of that don't you get? We get the part that we are in the midst of a GLOBAL economic crisis in which Canada is the healthiest of all G7 nations.

    In recent history many Canadian Conservative governments, Mulroney, Harris etc, left deficits not balanced budgets. Which part of that don't you get? Trudeau, Turner, Chretien, Petterson, Rae and McGuinty all Liberals and all ran defecits. Mulroney and Eves are the only two conservatives to run a deficit.

    The most heavily socialized subsidized area in Canada is business not the arts. Which part of that don't you get? The part where business is what employs people.

    Cons, your economic policies have failed. Which part of that don't you get?
    ...only according to your very, very selective memory.
  48. The Work Farce from Canada writes: Mr. Pinsent is quite right of course. If artists are reflectors of society and who we are as a people, the human condition in Canada is in profound trouble; for artists have now regressed from the good ol' days of dying alone and miserable in some rich landlord's attic to dying alone and miserable in some rich landlord's basement. If Canadians don't want to support artists with tax dollars, they should at least support them morally and encourage them socially. Europeans woke up in affluence and realized they were tired of seeing dead artists lying around their attics. So they started funding the arts. Quite civilized. They also honour the struggling writers, poets, actors and painters in their communities. They are not quite as fast to laugh them into mental hospitals and suicide, like they did with Van Gogh and many others. And by the way, now is as good a time as any to reveal one of Canada's best kept political secrets - many of Canada's welfare recipients are artists who are incapable of holding a job. I would have expected, at this late stage in the game, Canadians would be educated, sophisticated and compassionate enough to support the artists among us in some small way so that they survive and develop their talents without hanging themselves or becoming homeless. Anything less would be uncivilized.
  49. Terry F from Edmonton, Canada writes: c rob from Canada writes: Art has been funded throughout the ages either by governments or by kings. To argue otherwise is to simply lie. But hey, let's not speak truth.

    While it's true that some past governments and kings have paid for art the vast majority of art throughout the ages was created through private commissions.
  50. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: c rob's not so educated 'Art has been funded throughout the ages either by governments or by kings. '

    Just watched a PBS documentary on the Warner Brothers last night.
    Really interesting.
    No Kings, No governments.
    But because of it, these guys were free to be very brave about the values they put in their films. You don't see that kind of brave in the grant-seeking weasels of today.

    Freedom is important, Freedom of expression for artists comes from being free of dependence on the state.
  51. Greg Out West from Canada writes: c rob from Canada writes: Art has been funded throughout the ages either by governments or by kings. To argue otherwise is to simply lie. But hey, let's not speak truth
    ------------------------------------------------------------
    Well rob if we're going to speak the truth we should at least mention that the arts are getting 3 billion a year from the government who gets it's money from Canadians.
  52. Erik Sorenson from Canada writes: @Moi Too: Where's your source of that outrageous claim, 'the arts in Canada generate more revenue than mining and forestry combined'?

    Hope you aren't trying to count box office receipts of American films, or American TV productions, or chargeable TV and radio programming, all of which are additional costs to individual Canadians (show tickets, cable/satellite bill, etc., over and above the $2 billion/year we are forced to pay in taxes to support 'The Arts', like it or not.
  53. Dan Zenderman from TO, Canada writes: me and my wife pay in an average of 30,000 $ a year in combined provincial and federal income tax .....that's over 300,000 $ in the last ten years !!! enough to almost pay off a house in most places in Canada !

    ..we don't have open access to the media spotlight any time we want to voice our partisan disscontent at the way our hard earned money is squandered....all I have is this simple blog in the comments section of the G&M...

    ..thanks G&M for at least giving me a voice ..no matter how small.

    Artists..get a second job ..like we have had to do from time to time ..
  54. S. Morris from Ottawa, Canada writes: WOW!!

    It is indeed intersting to note and observe that those against Harper's initiative to 'reduce' funding to 'some' areas of the arts and culture community imply that he is removing all funding, which of course in not true and is misinformative.(Missa A

    Sammy White - Do you have anything concrete or substantive to offer or say in support of the article or your stance on the issue and it's associated arguments. The reason that I ask is that your post is reminiscent of children playing and arguing so why not just use their terminology and keep posting the following: 'Liar Liar pants on fire.' It would appear to suite you!!

  55. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: The Work Farce 'many of Canada's welfare recipients are artists'

    Who knew?
    Greatness is just a grant away!

    Got any evidence for that?
    I'm going to take a drive through the projects and see if I can see any 'arts' activity.

    Let's change that around:

    Many of Canada's self-annointed arts elite recieve money from the state.
    Now your sentence is better.
  56. Erik Sorenson from Canada writes: @The Work Farce - Quoting You: '... now is as good a time as any to reveal one of Canada's best kept political secrets - many of Canada's welfare recipients are artists who are incapable of holding a job. I would have expected, at this late stage in the game, Canadians would be educated, sophisticated and compassionate enough to support the artists among us in some small way so that they survive and develop their talents without hanging themselves or becoming homeless.'

    Wow. Double-dipping, too. Explain this 'compassionate' need to the average Canadian struggling to make ends meet each month, or to the two income family who has just seen one wage go away forever because ot tough economic times.

    If you feel such compassion, dip into your own pocket. Don't ask me and other struggling Canadian families to contribute more at the risk of us sinking more into the economic abyss that we are in. Tough luck, Work Farce, but 'enough is enough'.
  57. evelyn robinson from Canada writes: I see governments subsidizing all kinds of sports. Helping rich NHL teams build stadiums.
    Sports is good to subsidize; then arts and culture certainly deserve some subsidies.
    We subsidize young athletes who if successful make multimillion dollar salaries. How is that fair?
  58. Richard Soley from writes: Moo too, while you rant at Business and the industrial sector of Canadian activity I would point out, you need lumber to build your music hall, you need fuel to get there, your need copper for your guitar strings, you need gas to heat your hall, you need petoleum for the plastic to cut your CD, you need electricity to light your hall, and finally you need jobs so you can sell tickets and get off the public dole.
  59. none of your business from Bethuneville, Canada writes: The 'Artists' take themselves too seriously.
  60. active reader from canada, Canada writes: So far, each time in the RARE moment a conservative actually opens their mouth -- they put their foot firmly in it too.

    Now it is even when Harper speak that the diatribe is nonsense, divisive, baseless and foolish.

    His fifteen minutes (adly really 2.5 years) is firmly DONE.
  61. c rob from Canada writes: Gee Terry F from Edmonton
    No is the answer to the private commissioning by governments.
    Lection Fever, thanks for coming out to play, but you need to do a little more digging on Warner Brothers.
    Greg out West, I was referring to those who rant and rave about funding as though it has never existed, which you and I both know is a lie. I don't like that nonsense any more than you do.
    Goodness guys, all this attention from the West. What's a girl to do ....
  62. Not the Alliance from In my opinion, The Harper Gov't is totally Incompetent, but excel at whining that it's ALWAYS somebody else's fault., Canada writes: “I think when ordinary working people come home, turn on the TV and see a gala of a bunch of people, you know, at a rich gala all subsidized by taxpayers claiming their subsidies aren't high enough when they know those subsidies have actually gone up, I'm not sure that's something that resonates with ordinary people,” said Harper.

    Meanwhile: 'Laureen is the honorary chair of the National Arts Centre's gala next month in Ottawa.'

    THAT says it all about Harper. The man's an ideologically driven hypocrite. IF this were all about return on investment (i.e. the subsidies represent 'investment') then Harper has NO argument. But this is about ideology.
  63. Marvist Clank from Alberta, Canada writes: An Artist who gets government money is a thief, plain and simple.

    Regulating content is another issue but how is something that is a figment of a bureaucrats funding formula ... culture? I just don't see how it is part of anything but an elitist discourse among fictional characters.

    So when some of this marginal stuff is trimmed off the rotting monstrosity and people are singing about it ... I'm glad they were able to dredge up some new material. Serious content block there.
  64. Dave Kar from Vancouver, Canada writes: Just a quick question - I know that $45 million has been cut, but what is the arts budget still? That is obviously not all of it.

    I buy art at least once a year and always provide donations to arts charities ... but I'm not sure I want tons of tax dollars going to artists as well - otherwise, what am I paying for when I buy it directly?
  65. jobie weetaluktuk from Canada writes: I have enough of the Conservatives telling me what I think.
    Be a man and say what you want, don't cloak it in 'Canadians'.
    We have no problem importing American culture and arts and some of our talent have no problem becoming economic refugees in the states. Why? Not because of any sense of American patriotism but in consideration of opportunity and economic realities. Canada exports talent to the states and to a large extent imports American culture.
  66. Actual Name from Ottawa, Canada writes: It's pretty amazing how uninformed the people on this thread are.

    There is no government grant for a 'vacation', there is a travel grant of about five to seven hundred dollars artists can apply for if they are travelling or taking up residencies outside of the area in which they live.

    A ton of these grants go to people who are teaching and helping with public programming in the arts and many of whom are often REPRESENTING CANADA overseas.

    I encourage you to have a look at the Canada Council for the Arts website where you can see exactly who the grants are being given and for what reason, if you are so concerned with 'media bias' which I think is the term most of these posts are lacking, you should try primary sources rather than referencing generalized newspaper accounts of this information from almost TEN years ago. (I reference Diana Thorneycroft's 'Monstrance' from 1999- yes imagine, it even has a name, oh the things a person can know!).

    Not all artists get funding, in fact very few do and the more difficult the government makes it the less money artists are going to have access to. Rather than just giving the CCFA money they can sit around for hours debating it and how much do you think the conservative MP's get paid per hour to do that.

    As for us Artists: we get paid about 8-9$ an hour to make your coffee.
  67. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: active reader from canada, Canada writes: So far, each time in the RARE moment a conservative actually opens their mouth -- they put their foot firmly in it too.Now it is even when Harper speak that the diatribe is nonsense, divisive, baseless and foolish. His fifteen minutes (adly really 2.5 years) is firmly DONE.

    -----------------------------------
    ...and yet he holds a double digit lead over the Liberals...the Liberals who are now in 4th place in BC. Appears to me that he is only 1 minute into his 15 minut time span.
  68. Douglas MacDONALD from Canada writes: Its easy to see why all these conservatives rail aainst the CBC as it actually requires some degree of intelligence to watch it and this would be quite complex for conservatives as they are mostly not able to differentiate between competent intelligent broadcasting and the awful dribel coming from the right wing channels of the USA
  69. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Dave Kar from Vancouver, Canada writes: Just a quick question - I know that $45 million has been cut, but what is the arts budget still? That is obviously not all of it.

    ---------------The annual budget for the Arts is over $3 billion. the Conservatives have increased funding to the arts by 8% over the last Liberal government....I think the actors at the press conference today just forgot to tell us that.
  70. Rebel Prince from Berlin, Germany writes: Look at Lection go. Practically spinning like a Turkish top, she's so excited about about the prospect of a Con majority!

    Meanwhile, Schadenfreude! I'm already looking forward to the amusing spectacle of dim-witted, me-too Canadians voting themselves a right-wing government just as the Americans - and the Australians, for what they're worth - have finally rid themselves of their neo-con nutters.

    Just imagine how deeply the same voters will decide to loath the CPC by 2012. It ought to be a real bloodbath! Just like when li'an Brian got crucified at the polls. :-)

    Bravo, Mr. Harper. You're a smart guy. (But with 'ordinary Canadians' to fool, you didn't really have to be!)
  71. Risa Roos from Cowtown, Canada writes: Shawn Bull and the rest of the Reformers - again, the point and intelligence of your posts are severely reduced when you don't know how to spell or put together a proper setence... So very sad.
  72. Greg Out West from Canada writes: The CPC has this one right and the more these artist are shown on TV with their hands out all shouting the LPC theme song of entitlement the more the average Canadian is going to demand that we cut further in their current 3 billion in handouts. Besides it's not like these free loaders were voting for the conservatives in the first place.
  73. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Risa Roos from Cowtown, Canada writes: Shawn Bull and the rest of the Reformers - again, the point and intelligence of your posts are severely reduced when you don't know how to spell or put together a proper setence... So very sad.
    ------------------------
    OK. Puting my worstest speiling aside, why don'te you please show me wear my facts arre incorrectte in regards to what eye posted..
  74. John the Baptist from Canada writes:
    Moi Too from Canada writes: Cons, the arts in Canada generate more revenue than mining and forestry combined. Which part of that don't you get?

    @@the part where we subsidize them.
  75. Marvist Clank from Alberta, Canada writes: Douglas, the CBC is a wonderful institution and why and how it exists is a whole seperate discussion from trimming little tid bits of forgetable stuff off a bureaucrats ledger.
  76. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: c rob 'you need to do a little more digging on Warner Brothers'

    Do tell young man.
    Do tell.
    I'm all ears.
  77. Greg Out West from Canada writes: Rebel Prince from Berlin, Germany writes: Bravo, Mr. Harper. You're a smart guy. (But with 'ordinary Canadians' to fool, you didn't really have to be!)
    -------------------------------------------------------------
    Why is it that so many people think that people who vote for a patry other than the one they voted for are stupid ? I'm voting CPC but I don't for a second think people voting for other parties are stupid.
  78. Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Ah I see all the Theo-Con Borgie knuckle draggers are out this morning. Taking time away from your monster truck rallies are you? Crawl back under your rocks - and take Fuhrer Harper with you.
  79. Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: When did these people start to think they are entitled to my money?
  80. Shawn W from Toronto, Canada writes: Stephen Harper is obviously playing the populist card and trying to drive a wedge between Canada's arts community and 'ordinary' Canadians. Hopefully Canadians will be wise enough to see this for what it is - manipulation and an all-out assault on arts and culture.

    Even more disturbing is the fact that the Conservatives do not see the monetary value of supporting the arts. The small investments pay off in spades. I guess the Conservatives are just too ideologically opposed to anything artistic - or just plain too stupid - to recognize the value of arts and culture in society.
  81. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: Rebel ' the same voters will decide to loath the CPC by 2012.

    The Libz are putting up Bob Rae!! in 2012, so you'll have to wait until 2016 for a shot.

    ' You're a smart guy. (But with 'ordinary Canadians' to fool, you didn't really have to be!) '

    Once again, when lefties lose, it's because people are stupid, not their disproven, failed, disasterous ideas??
  82. Terry F from Edmonton, Canada writes: Poverty and misery is the stuff of artists. Any true artist wouldn't lower themselves to taking a government handout. Unless of course you're not very good and don't like to work. These psuedo-artistes may have vivid imaginations but that and a toonie will get you a cup of coffee.
  83. Marvist Clank from Alberta, Canada writes: Greg, I vote the the CPC and generally think most people are emotional wrecks who avoid the logical causal connections between observations, behaviour, actions ...

    No they aren't stupid. It's intentional, even part of our culture ... ;)
  84. ente EighteenEightyEight from Toronto, Canada writes: Even from an economic stand-point the Arts and Culture industry was estimated in the last 2 weeks or so as contributing $86 billion to the Canadian economy per year.

    That's not chump change, Mr Harper.
  85. Shawn Bull from Canada writes: Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Ah I see all the Theo-Con Borgie knuckle draggers are out this morning. Taking time away from your monster truck rallies are you? Crawl back under your rocks - and take Fuhrer Harper with you.
    ---------------------
    Instead of name calling why don't you debate our points? I guess when your on the wrong side of an issue all you have lleft to do is insult the other person. We also have a double digit lead over the next party...just some salt in your wounds Danny.
  86. Sue Edworthy from Canada writes: Kim Morton from Canada writes: Get a job if your hobby won't support you. They call this an industry. Any industry that can not support its self but must depend on tax dollars we can do without.

    Like oil? Like auto manufacturers?
  87. ushaped in Toronto from Toronto, Canada writes: Its interesting so many people seem to respond to Mr. Harper's divisive comments regarding arts funding.

    Maybe it would help to use the word 'entertainment' rather than 'art' because it is clear that the entertainment industry does generate significant income whereas the art industry seems to most people to be associated with individual personalities.

    Other industries accept subsidies and funding, industries that perhaps a significant portion of the commenters may actually work for. Its just not as direct as arts funding. Manufacturing, service and agriculture all have received some types of funding and support. You might even argue that government-funded participation in trade shows etc. is a type of subsidy.

    All of the above-mentioned industries rightfully receive this funding because its looked upon as investment in their success. Arts and entertainment is an industry thats necessarily focused on individuals, personalities, groups etc. because its the nature of the business.

    What is unfortunate is the sympathetic politicians and artists themselves keep using the poetic argument of 'having our own stories to tell' etc. when really the reason we should continue to fund art and entertainment is that the potential economic growth in that industry could be enormous. Other mature industries don't have as great a growth potential.

    An easy example is a single person wrote the Harry Potter books, the international success of that franchise has probably generated a lot of jobs in Britain and worldwide.

    Rather than get caught up in the PM's dismissive attitude to a growing industry, we should continue to fund it in order to see how successful it may become.
  88. Lection Fever from coast to coast in, Canada writes: Shawn W 'The small investments pay off in spades'

    Is that a racial thing?

    Is it related to this liberal's post:

    The Work Farce 'many of Canada's welfare recipients are artists'

    I don't understand.
  89. Greg Out West from Canada writes: Daniel Cunningham from Victoria, writes: Ah I see all the Theo-Con Borgie knuckle draggers are out this morning. Taking time away from your monster truck rallies are you? Crawl back under your rocks - and take Fuhrer Harper with you.
    -----------------------------------
    Danny, I can tell from your post that you're a real class act. People who agree with you , Good. People whe disagree with you , Bad.
    Who's the knuckle dragger ?
  90. Greg Out West from Canada writes: Jimmy K from Toronto, Canada writes: When did these people start to think they are entitled to my money?
    ----------------------------------
    When they started voting liberal.
  91. Shawn W from Toronto, Canada writes: Some of the comments on this board are truly shocking. Who knew there were so many philistines in Canada! Basically every single industry in Canada is supported by the government in one way shape or form. Auto industry - farmers - fishermen - forestry - YOU NAME IT.