I try not to use this site as an op-ed soap box, but while I'm on hiatus from vacation and within reach of a good internet connection, I've been reading some of the press about the Promart controversy in which the Canadian federal government is cutting a program that provides funding to Canadian artists for travel abroad. Much of this travel is designed to heighten international awareness of Canadian cultural activities, whether this be international readings for an author or an overseas concert for a performer. I think this makes it fair game for this blog, since part of what I'm all about is understanding the influence of physical space on human behaviour, and grants such as Promart are meant to help overcome some of the limitations imposed by space (yes, a reach, I know, but humour me -- officially I'm still on holidays).
Rumours swirl about the reasons for the cut, but the most oft-cited story suggests that some members of our government have taken offense to the agendas or artistic identities of some of the individuals who received funds. Predictably, some of the mainstream press with narrow prejudices have waded in with much chuffing of "good riddance" to a program that dares to provide funding to radical Muslims. The horror!
The government, just as predictably, is saying that this is all just about routine budget adjustments. For me, the saddest part of the whole story is that these measures are being undertaken by a government that professes to represent the views of the majority of Canadians. I really hope this isn't true, especially as I don't know of much evidence that our current prime minister reads books.
Here's one interesting account of how some controversial Promart funding came about for a "wealthy" rock star. As you'll read, Tal Bachman not only didn't know his funding had come from Promart but he had been invited on what sounds like a fantastic exchange by the government and had attended along with various officials (including a Mulroney appointed senator) who sounded as though they had much less of a useful role on the visit but probably got some funding from somewhere.
Now I'll go and put my vacation hat back on in, ironically, our nation's capital.
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