Responding to the Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance

[Tibor Egervari]

Dear Bruce,

Many thanks for your answers. They show clearly, and you state it at the 
beginning, that we see things differently. Indeed, the only intent of my 
questions was to register my dissenting opinion. Therefore, I see no 
reason to pursue a debate that could go on forever.

However, allow me one last remark concerning the original purpose of 
subsidies. You should check Canada Council's original mandate (1957) 
that has never been changed. You would pay particular attention to the 
order of tasks that has been assigned to the organization.

 Kind regards,

Tibor


Bruce Kirkley wrote:

>Dear Tibor:
>
>Clearly we see things differently. But to answer your questions:
>
> 1)     Why do you think that spending money earned by your fellow 
>citizens is better employed according to your choices rather than to 
>their own? 
>
>Not MY choices, but rather collaboratively and consensually determined
>national objectives.
>
>2)     Have you thought that those citizens might spend those extra 
>dollars to go to the theatre that became more and more expensive in 
>spite of subsidies? (Remember, the original purpose of subsidies was to
>
>allow for more, less wealthy people to attend. Nowadays, a normal
>ticket 
>price in any legitimate theatre in the country is almost a day's salary
>
>at minimum wage.)
>
>I doubt the vast majority of Canadians will be spending their extra
>dollars at the theatre. They'll be needing them to pay for increased
>user fees and privatized health care. And I disagree completely that the
>original purpose of subsidies was simply to allow for less wealthy
>people to attend. Their primary purpose was (and is) to nurture and
>develop creativity and culture in this country.
>
>3)     Has it occurred to you that today's children will become 
>tomorrow's "individuals making very poor consumer choices"?
>
>Um - yes. Which seems to me to be a powerful reason for setting
>directions that will enable them to make wise consumer choices (such as,
>for example, supporting the growth of a nation).
>
>4)     Finally, don't you think that the vast majority of parents do 
>care for their children and are quite capable of making responsible 
>choices regarding their future?
>
>Yes, of course they do. But that's a red herring. And you know it.
>
>Respectfully,
>Bruce
>
>Dr. Bruce Kirkley
>Theatre Department
>University College of the Fraser Valley
>45635 Yale Road
>Chilliwack BC  V2P 6T4
>(604)702-2613 office
>(604)792-2615 fax
>  
>
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