Alliance's cultural position

[Louise H. Forsyth]

Hello to all,

Thanks for posting this, Robert. Deconstructing the language of this
message from Deborah Grey even superficially suggests to me that this is a
very scary policy statement. I can see this country being drawn back to
pre-Massey Report days in terms of public support for arts & letters, along
with an intense censorship regime in place to further stifle the creative
community.

We must not only defeat but also discredit the Alliance Party's discourse.

Louise Forsyth

At 04:20 PM 10/11/00 -0500, Robert Nunn wrote:
>         You may be interested to read this reply from the office of
> Deborah Grey
>to my e-mail asking for a response to Margaret Atwood's stinging attack on
>the Reform/Alliance cultural  policy, which appeared in the Globe a while ago.
>         The second paragraph invites one to read between the lines. It
> sounds like
>the principle of arms-length funding is called into question. Is Deborah
>Gray arguing that the Canada Council should only fund work that Canadians
>can be "proud of", otherwise they must be held to account? It sounds like
>an update of the attitude Dickens complained about, re the demand to avoid
>anything that might bring a blush to the cheek of a young person. This
>mythical person, Dickens observed, seemed to be all cheek.
>         It would be interesting to take a straw poll and see how many
> Alliance
>party members are "proud" of the results of the labours of Edmonton's own
>Brad Fraser.
>         As to the trickle-down theory of the benefit to the arts of all
> that extra
>money in wealthy people's pockets, have another slice of pie in the sky.
>
>Rob Nunn
>
>
> >Return-Path: <GreyD9 at parl.gc.ca>
> >From: "Grey, Deborah - Assistant 2" <GreyD9 at parl.gc.ca>
> >To: "'rnunn at spartan.ac.brocku.ca'" <rnunn at spartan.ac.brocku.ca>
> >Subject: Alliance's cultural position
> >Date: Fri, 10 Nov 2000 11:12:35 -0500
> >
> >O T T A W A
> >November 10, 2000
> >
> >Mr. Robert Nunn
> >rnunn at spartan.ac.brocku.ca
> >
> >Dear Mr. Nunn:
> >
> >This will acknowledge receipt of your e-mail dated November 3, 2000.
> >
> >The Canadian Alliance believes that art and culture can represent the
> >best of our country's creative energy and expression.  Throughout
> >Canada's history, distinguished painters, writers, and musicians
> >have interpreted Canadians to themselves and to the world.  We
> >view this creative heritage as a trust to be protected and fostered for
> >future generations.  We believe that the federal government should continue
> >to play a role in creating an environment that stimulates and encourages
> >artistic endeavour and excellence.
> >
> >We also believe that hard-working Canadians have a right to see their tax
> >dollars treated with respect.  When public funds are entrusted to talented
> >individuals for artistic endeavour, we believe Canadians should be able to
> >say they are proud of the result.  Grants and contributions must be awarded
> >impartially and fairly, with greater transparency and accountability.
> >
> >The Canadian Alliance believes that lower taxes - as well as other
> >incentives to
> >be provided through the tax system - would contribute significantly toward
> >stimulating voluntary sponsorship of the arts that would create the maximum
> >opportunity for artists to strive for excellence.  In this way we will
> >strive to increase corporate and voluntary sponsorship of the arts.
> >
> >In addition, the Canadian Alliance is committed to strengthening local and
> >aboriginal artistic heritage, museums, historic exhibits and libraries
> >across
> >Canada, including remote and isolated communities.
> >
> >Thank you for taking the time to write and share your thoughts on this issue
> >with me.
> >
> >Sincerely,
> >
> >Deborah Grey, M.P.
> >Edmonton North
> >
> >DG/lf
> >
> >
>
>
>Robert Nunn
>52 Crescentwood Drive
>St. Catharines, ON
>L2N 4L2
>(905) 646-6597
>e-mail: rnunn at spartan.ac.brocku.ca