PEN CANADA has reported that the Senate banking committee is meeting today to talk C-10. They're not hearing from the WGC or other groups. In fact, the Heritage Minister's ducking behavior and assurances that "all this is nothing new" is probably going to carry the day. Just in case, an email blast to Senators wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. Feel free to adapt my letter below, which I adapted from the PEN letter. Do it tonight.
Details and addresses can be found here in this Facebook group.
I'm also posting them here:
Senate Commerce, Banking and Trade Committee.
General email:
banking_banques@sen.parl.g
anguswd@sen.parl.gc.ca, goldsy@sen.parl.gc.ca, bironmi@sen.parl.gc.ca, rokosg@sen.parl.gc.ca, harbm@sen.parl.gc.ca, jaffem@sen.parl.gc.ca, massip@sen.parl.gc.ca, meighen@sen.parl.gc.ca, moorew@sen.parl.gc.ca, ringup@sen.parl.gc.ca, tkachd@sen.parl.gc.ca
Angus, W. David Chair - C - (Alma - Quebec)
Goldstein, Yoine Deputy Chair - Lib. - (Rigaud - Quebec)
Biron, Michel - Lib. - (Mille Isles - Quebec)
Eyton, John Trevor - C - (Ontario)
Harb, Mac - Lib. - (Ontario)
Jaffer, Mobina S.B. - Lib. - (British Columbia)
Massicotte, Paul J. - Lib. - (De Lanaudière - Quebec)
Meighen, Michael A. - C - (St. Marys - Ontario)
Moore, Wilfred P. - Lib. - (Stanhope St. / South Shore - Nova Scotia)
Ringuette, Pierrette - Lib. - (New Brunswick)
Tkachuk, David - C - (Saskatchewan)
My letter:
Denis McGrath
(full address and postal code)
March 4, 2008
Senator W. David Angus
Chair - Senate Committee on Bank, Trade and Commerce
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Dear Mr. Angus,
I am writing regarding Bill C-10: An Act to amend the Income Tax Act, including amendments in relation to foreign investment entities and non-resident trusts, and to provide for the bijural expression of the provisions of that Act. I am writing to ask you to exercise judgement to preserve an industry.
I strongly, in the most strenuous terms, urge the Senate to hold public hearings on Bill C-10, with witnesses from the arts community, and to present an amended bill to the House of Commons removing those provisions that would subject film and television productions to censorious and redundant assessment according to so-called "public policy" criteria.
I am also deeply unsatisfied with the Hon. Minister of Heritage's statement on this matter, released yesterday, and with her reluctance to face the arts community at the Genie Awards last night. This is an issue of great import to our country's artists and content creators, which is why I am desperately appealing for your help on this matter.
I am a professional film and television writer, and an immigrant to this great country. I was born in the United States, and have watched with dismay as concepts and ideas that were once freely expressed on television and radio in the 1970's, cannot be broached today due to the pernicious and unyielding pressure of religious zealotry there. Canada has a tradition that is more tolerant, and evenhanded -- and yet we seem to be repeating the same mistake.
I have written episodes of CBC Television's THE BORDER, as well as comedies for SHOWCASE. I co-created the series ACROSS THE RIVER TO MOTOR CITY, which explores issues of Canadian identity from the 1960's through to the post 9/11 world. I strive every day to try and make entertainment for Canadians, that speaks to them and offers them a view of themselves that differs from the prevailing worldview of our neighbour to the south. Television and film are the most influential media of our times -- just as we've made space for Canadian literature, we must make the space for a Canadian voice on TV. That voice cannot be made without the tax credits that producers rely on to make their shows here. I have seen that first hand. This is an industry that employs thousands across Canada. This bill plays politics with both their jobs, and the very concept of Canadian culture.
The issues noted above as contained in Bill C-10 mark a major departure from past practice and is simply not acceptable as a policy to be applied in determining which film projects can receive favourable tax treatment.
There is a longstanding principle that in funding the arts, government does not interfere in artistic expression. Nor does it dictate what has artistic merit; that has wisely been left in the hands of artists themselves which is where it should reside. For one example, I know several people who write for the programs THIS HOUR HAS 22 MINUTES, and the RICK MERCER REPORT. Both of these programs, as satire, are required to be skeptical and sometimes critical of the government. How can this be accomplished if the arm's length principle of arts funding is abandoned?
Although the offensive provisions of this bill got through the House of Commons and most of the way through the Senate before they were noticed and publicized, fortunately there is still time to act to ensure that Parliament does not end up as the agent restricting freedom of expression in Canada.
What's more, I wish to call your attention to the depth of feeling out there, the concern that this change that grants new power to the Heritage MInister, has been slipped past in a fundamentally undemocratic way. Over twenty thousand Canadians have joined a group on a social networking site to oppose this bill, in only five days. These sites represent a revolution in communication for a newer generation of Canadians. You are the steward of policy that can affect people and their artistic choices long after you, and I are both dead. I ask you to err on the side of protecting future expression.
I urgently request the Senate to amend Bill C-10 and return it to the House of Commons where there could be a real debate about the reasons for and the impact of this attempt by government to restrict freedom of expression and artistic merit in Canada. Professional organizations such as the Canadian Film and Television Production Association, the Writers Guild of Canada, ACTRA, and the Directors Guild must be heard from on this matter before you proceed. To allow this bill to pass into law without doing so will be viewed as an act injurious to the culture of this country. And it won't be forgotten.
I trust you and all others Senators will support and vote for freedom of expression on this issue.
Sincerely
D McGrath
cc Senator Yoine Goldstein
Senator Michel Biron
Senator John Trevor Eyton
Senator Mac Harb
Senator Mobina S.B. Jaffer
Senator Paul J. Massicotte
Senator Wilfred P. Moore
Senator Donald H. Oliver
Senator Pierrette Ringuette
Senator David Tkachuk
Maureen Parker, Executive Director, Writers' Guild of Canada
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