Sometimes You Win One

A WEEK BEFORE the Canadian Federal Election, and the Conservatives have finally released their platform. Details are here, and here, but the important thing from an Arts point of view is that the censorious, industry-crippling portion of Bill C10 will not be reintroduced.

I don't know if there's any other way to spin this than this: we won.

The Conservatives thought they were going to ride on the back of increased Quebec support to a majority. But their anti-culture baiting has had a deleterious effect in the part of the country that actually venerates and fiercely supports homegrown culture.

Is it too little too late to bring their fortunes back? I must say, it's quite an interesting turnaround. Guess we'll see.

Meanwhile, if you're in Toronto tomorrow around lunchtime, why not come help keep the heat on, and help make culture an election issue. At 11:30 there will be a rally outside the CBC building on Front Street.


I'll be popping over from set of my last ep of The Border to give one of the (hopefully mercifully short) speeches. Truth to power, my friends. Sometimes it works. Come on out and show how ordinary Canadians populate our cultural industries.

And be sure to say 'hi.'