Canadian Government Funding for Culture
When the government is funding cultural programs in Canada they are doing two distinct things:
Playing venture capitalist – Every now and then one of the productions that the government funds goes big. At that point the government gets a good pay back in taxes, a lot of Canadians get employment and Canada often gets a higher profile internationally, possibly bringing more work back to Canada.
Maintaining Canadian Culture – Our wonderful neighbours to the South have one of the largest entertainment arts complexes in the world. To compete with them requires extra assistance. Their marketing budgets, ability to attract talent, homogenizing (aiming at the lowest common denominator) the market prevent the Canadian voice from being heard. Also our population base is small; private industry alone cannot support the arts in this country.
For these two reasons and others the Canadian Government gives money to the arts. If you want your Don McKellars, Bryan Adams, Cronenbergs, Bruce Cockburns, etc., you’ll need the grants to help start these artists off and nurture them.
However, the government, like any bureaucracy is horrible at determining which artists deserve funding. The market should sort the good from the bad. I could see the government reacting badly to a film about a 16 year old girl getting pregnant. No money for Juno. (Actually don’t think there was any Canadian money in Juno!) If a Canadian Michael Moore appeared there would be no money for him either. (Especially with the Conservatives in power – likely to lead to another scandal!)
As for Mr. Charles McVety, a man I have met may times, he should stay out of the arts completely. He, right wing conservative, would only want us to see uplifting conservative Christian art. Similar to the fare offered in North Korea, Communist China and Communist Russia.
Art that makes people uncomfortable, challenges the status quo, goes against the grain, pushes the edge is what we need. Films (and books) like The Diary of Evelyn Lau need to be made, and I don’t care how uncomfortable it makes you or I feel.
To end, the song Maybe the Poet from Bruce Cockburn, captures this issue well.
Maybe the poet is gay
But he'll be heard anyway
Maybe the poet is drugged
But he won't stay under the rug
Maybe the voice of the spirit
In which case you'd better hear it
Maybe he's a woman
Who can touch you where you're human
Male female slave or free
Peaceful or disorderly
Maybe you and he will not agree
But you need him to show you new ways to see
Don't let the system fool you
All it wants to do is rule you
Pay attention to the poet
You need him and you know it
Put him up against the wall
Shoot him up with pentothal
Shoot him up with lead
You won't call back what's been said
Put him in the ground
But one day you'll look around
There'll be a face you don't know
Voicing thoughts you've heard before
Male female slave or free
Peaceful or disorderly
Maybe you and he will not agree
But you need him to show you new ways to see
Don't let the system fool you
All it wants to do is rule you
Pay attention to the poet
You need him and you know it
Any ham fisted approach by the Canadian Government to control the arts may silence important voices. In that regard Bruce Cockburn, in my humble opinon, nailed it.
The Canadian Government needs to be in Canadian culture as a backer; however, Canadian government can only approach their role in a non judgmental manner. Our artists make us great, and the Canadian Government should maintain its current role in supporting them.