I'm up north and I can honestly say I haven't heard anything about this... yet. But now I know to keep an eye out and my ears attuned because if there's any sort of public input allowed on this issue, this shit won't fly.

I'd like to think we're a primarily liberal country, but under the temporary rule of some uptight conservative douche (I'm not attacking anyone's political views, I just don't agree with Stephen Harper's policies in general). I know Ontario (and, more importantly, Toronto) is bound to stay liberal, but I find it quite upsetting that we now have a system of government in place that is trying to lobby for this censorshit.

"i do not have many vitamins but i am 100% of the daily allowance of DELICIOUS"

As a Poli-Sci major, I follow the news (especially that of a political flavor) closely, and I've heard nothing of this. I'm definitely going to look into this more closely, start bringing it up in my classes and figure out what I can do to actively oppose this bill (and bring it to light). Don't hold any illusions about the progressive nature of the conservative government in power right now. One of the first things Harper did as Prime Minister was try to overturn the legislation legalizing gay marriage.

I actually heard about this on Saturday I believe. I can't really say I'm surprised considering many of the things going on with the Canadian government right now. It's bad enough to have someone in control of our country who essentially wants to be a mini-me version of Geroge Bush, it makes me really wish we were having an election up here. Back to the story at hand though, I wouldn't be surprised if it ended up passing here, I in no way support the idea, but it just seems like there's something in the water in Canada right now that's causing alot of bad decisions all around. On the other hand even if it does pass, I really wouldn't be surprised to see it overturned in time, but we'll see.

I am Canadian born and raised, and I have heard about this, and discussed it repeatedly with a great many people.  This is really, as the article points out, a blantant ploy by the Harper government for greater control of the subject matter of films that recieve Canadian tax credits.  The CBC is the only major network giving this story play right now, but I'm hoping the debate gets picked up by the larger media soon.

Do I think it will pass?  Yes.  I like to think otherwise, but the Harper government has all the power up here, and the Liberals or NDP won't topple them for the sake of protecting film - they won't even topple them over the important issues.  And this isn't an isolated case; this is just the latest in a series of signs that this government is becoming more and more like the States.  It's scary stuff indeed.

Judging people you don't know for things you don't understand is just really stupid. ~ Ellen Page

I've never heard a thing about this, though that's not surprising considering it's part of a tax credit reform. We here in Alberta don't really hear about such things unless it directly affects the oil patch, then the media coverage is tremendous. Arts funding gets little to no play in Calgary.

It's our provincial election here today, and as the birthplace of the neo-con movement in Canada (I swear I didn't vote for them), we have to get out & change things here today. The current party has been in power for about 37 years. And no I'm not exaggerating.

You forgot about Lost and Delirious (its more a gender identity film)

that's what happen to Canada when they have a conservative xxxk in office.

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I'm Canadian and I find it quite ironic that I have to learn such an important politic news like that on an American website. At least, I can see that I'm not the only one. But after looking it up a little bit on the net, I can't find any mention of it before friday, so it's quite recent.

We are a fairly openminded country, or at least, I'd like to think so. But it doesn't mean there aren't redneck and real conservative person that would like to see the world turn the way they want to.

We got stuck with the Conservative Party on the last election because of the Sponsorship Scandal involving the Liberal Party. People were not ready to vote for them yet, so they voted for the Conservative Party, even if they didn't really agree for what they stand for... and now we're stuck with them and all their bad and judgemental decision.

I'm not sure if it will pass, because i sure hope not. All the movie industry will suffer from it. With no financing, any of the great canadian movie above, and a sh*tload of others, would not exist.  

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=642631188

For the Facebookers out there... there's a group that's got more than 15,000 members opposed to this backwardness. Canada is such a land of contradictions, hey? We're all about gay marriage, but turn around and some dolt is pushing legislation that limits freedom of expression (artistic or otherwise) that could directly affect the types of films we can produce and access. Sigh. I really hope this right-wing, religiously sanctioned crap doesn't get passed. But, like a previous poster said, even if it does, it won't last long.

The CBC reported the bill as if it was already passed. I couldn’t believe my ears. The policies and rhetoric surrounding both the conservative and liberal governments have become increasingly threatening as of late but mainly geared towards military efforts. This was one of the most direct (and lets really hope these things don’t continue – vote people!) assaults.

The headline that day in the Canadian newspaper The Globe and Mail was, “Evangelist takes credit for film crackdown: Christian crusader says he pressured cabinet ministers and PMO officials to deny tax credits to productions deemed too offensive”. The article explicitly states that Mr. McVety (head of the Canada Family Action Coalition) “said films promoting homosexuality, graphic sex or violence should not receive tax dollars…”.

Not much has been reported since other than brief mentions of a new conservative bill to deny tax dollars to films that include ‘gratuitous violence and significant sexual content’. This sounds much less specific and dulls the importance of the situation. As far as I’ve heard there have been no real debates on the topic in the general media.

…

On a slightly different note, during a debate over Sexapalooza! Hamilton (“a fun, upscale consumer trade show dedicated to entertaining and educating attendees on all aspects of sexuality”) our local CTV (female) news anchor told a local pastor that instead of causing a rukus over Sexapalooza! Hamilton he should attend and perhaps try some of the things for himself. I couldn’t believe my ears on this one either, but the other anchors and members of the debating panel agreed that it was clearly the best solution. Perhaps there’s still hope : D

I've been reading a lot on this. Yes, CBC and the Globe and Mail(online) have been covering it and if you like a little gossip, go to laineygossip.com and read her rant. She is the online identity of Elaine Lui, who reports for E! Canada.  Lainey has asked her readers to email their MP's and the government.

I would also strongly urge people to contact the Progressive Conservative Party

Office and the Prime Minister's office and tell them they will lose any chance of being considered for your vote (not that I would expect anyone on this site to ever vote the Conservative, ne: Confascist Party).

Also, contact the NDP and the Liberals. This law cannot pass and if it does, lets hope its constitutionality will be challenged.

As a Canadian living in the capital it is easy to get caught up in all the myriad of issues and rotten deals the current government is trying to pull. I haven't heard anything about this but that is due no doubt to the subtle nature of what will surely be a highly bigoted piece of legislature.

At the moment it is being far overshadowed by the blatant discrimination of the recent move to ban sexually active gay men from donating organs, lumping them in with drug addicts, prostitutes etc.

This is scary on two levels- 1) eww to the discrimination 2)even more disturbing that it appears our medical professionals are not qualified enough to screen out people with AIDS or HIV which is clearly the inferred reason for banning the said groups.

Considering any educated person knows that HIV and AIDS is in no way restricted to one particular group(did no one watch Stephen Fry's special) then Health Canada has some serious problems headed there way!

As for the censorship dealio I'm completely confused as to why anyone would want all of the movies produced to be family friendly- how insanely boring would that be?! Guess I shouldn't be surprised though as all conservative politicians lack any kind of artisitic soul - whoops I think my bias is showing...grrr. It is soooooo frustrating to see ones country do a complete u-turn and have all its progress so easily dissolved by just one administration. Screw it all, I'm moving to France!

man, and I thought of canada as the slightly more liberal country as my beacon. I can't believe that these people could think that they could propose this and get away with it. All I am thinking of is the kind of health movies you had to watch in high school...scarry.

"So put me on a plane, and fly me to anywhere...with you"-Augustana

Canada is currently being governed by a right wing, anti-everything gang who do not have a majority in our parliament. Problem is, the other three parties don't have the cojones to pull the plug on this bunch and let us have an election now.

This bill is a perfect example of what the Conservatives are all about: publically pretending that they don't want to destroy personal freedoms and social programs, all the while doing exactly that through the back door. They have given up on the big cities, while at the same time seducing Quebecois voters with our own money and thinly veiled references to independence. This is a dangerous bunch indeed; quite willing to destroy a country I love in the name of power.

In the immortal words of Donna Summer, "enough is enough!"

I do not think this will go through. It really better not. In the past I have compared an average Canadian movie to a good american indie. Many Canadian films will start to risk losing funding if this passes.

In relation to the facebook comment: I started a group called "Canadian Film Enthusiasts," is there another group along this line that I  just could not manage to find? 

I know I'm inviting a huge load of terror upon myself for saying this...but I feel compelled to.

What the government has proposed here is in no way censorship - or even a slight limitation of our rights and freedoms. It is a re-direction of funds. In the current economic climate any government that is truly doing its job has to make economic stability it's first priority...and let's face facts here folks, I'd rather have consistent health care, infrastructure and the like than see my fellow Canadians endure financial hardship because of money being spent on movies and TV.

Film producers in my country will continue to be free to create projects of any nature or content they choose. It will be harder this is true, they will be forced to look elsewhere for funding...

but please, let's not villify a government for doing their job.

we in canada are actually having elections at the federal level this month.

also, this bill is actually an attempt to sneak by the conservatives agenda regarding publicly funding the arts. i study sexual diversity at the university of toronto, and it is one of many attempts historically at removal of funding from films deemed obscene, or of no merit. this is often code for films which contain themes that are seen as radical by the right (this often includes queer themes).

despite canada's often liberal existance, the conservatives continue to try and stomp out expression of things which it deems wrong and or obscene.

the government here funds pretty much all canadian film and television. almost all cronenberg films recieve funding from the film board (the governing body of film funding within the government). the same for the films of atom egoyen. television works much in the same way and if this bill were to pass, similar measures can and will most likely be taken against the funding for television shows. shows like degrassi are funded with tax payer dollars here.

and so hopefully this upcomming election, canada will elect a government which gives voice to the people, and does not involved even a minority government involving the conservatives. but the great thing about canada is the way our government works, if the conservatives get elected we arent doomed like when bush got into office. we have a broad spectrum of politicians in parliment, and have elections whenever parliment calls them. rather then on set timelines like the US. so to all my fellow canadian reader, make sure you get everyone you know out to vote in the upcomming elections. without funding for canadian film that can be seen as controverisial we wont be hearing the voices of some truly great artists, and will not be seeing the full spectrum of the canadian identity in film.

I like to think that in Canada we have a pretty open mind to a lot of things, but we also have some pretty dumb decision makers on a lot of things too unfortunately.  From what i've dug up about this bill, it really sounds like it won't go through.  There is a lot of resistance with the public and in parliment so there is a big chance that this will create a fuss and fall short of its goal.  Let's hope!

cause really, we can't have them reduce the chances of Ellen Page appearing in some small budget canadian film about lesbians with lots of awesome "uneducational" sexual content :) 

.. what ever people consider to be normal, it never is ..

Yeah.. what I'm reading makes it look very unlikely that this bill will pass with a conservative minority in the house.

Hopefully it's just one more way the conservatives hope to show the hardcore right people that they're secretly devoted to their ideas but unable to pass them. A kind of "we wish we could be george bush but we're surrounded by all these Canadians.." type of thing. They did it with the open vote on same sex marriage.. maybe this is the same thing.

We all do our JOBS as CITIZENS and write to our MP's (Member's of Parliment) Demanding action be taken against this bill because it violates the constitution and whittles away at freedom of speech. If you are not sure who your MP is go to the Governments website:

http://canada.gc.ca/home.html

The first link under Resource Centre is "Contact your Government." The Facebook group mentioned earlier (Props to Meridian Charmer) also has a link to your MP and Sample letters! In response to Sterling MB's comment:   "but if I have to choose between a stable educational system, healthcare etc. and art; well I'd hope the choice would be obvious for anyone..."       If you take a lesson from any number of historical examples ~ When people have to start choosing between "Art" and "Health & Education" you are on the slippery slope towards facism. Art is inextricably linked to BOTH Education and a Healthy Cultural Identity, besides it is ridiculous and insulting to claim that Canada is anywhere near that kind of financial ruin. Also Most of Canada's economic problems are the result of Government (Conservative & Liberal) Mishandling not "Economic Forces."  Try to remember this is a democracy people, not oligarchy, not dictatorship = THEY work for US! If they aren't doing a good job be a responsible employer and give them a performance review!  That is something both Canadians and Citizens of the U.S.A. need to be reminded of ... n'est pas? I too voted in the Alberta election today which insures my right to complain for the next few years! 

Another Canuck here (yay Canadians!)...and I was actually just listening to CBC Radio One about this...on The Current with Anna Maria Tremonti they talked to some people about this including idiot Conservative MP Pierre Polièvre (whom I have had the slimey displeasure to have met)...

...and he insisted that this would only affect a small, small portion of films. Not that that makes me ok with it...but he said it's basically to make sure that the government isn't funding pornography or gratuitous violence. This made me think...but what about Eastern Promises...a fantastic and award-winning Canadian film that is rife with violence and nudity? He actually said that movie would have made it through...same with Sarah Polley's Away From Her...or "any other mainstream or award-winning Canadian film."

I find this all hard to believe. Once again Stephen-censor-Harper and has band of idiots are trying to pander to both the Conservative right and the reasonable left.

This guy needs to stop starting BS like this in our country, and start making real changes!

My rant is done for now.

~Renée

I know that the Conservatives no longer use the Progressive handle, but, I suppose I like to harken back to days of old, when they were fiscally conservative but not quite as socially frightening.

It has been reported that the Bill (C-10) has been sent back to the Senate for review.  The industries' complaint was justified in that C-10 gave a political appointee with a specific agenda the ability to determine the funding of projects after the project is already approved for tax credits and has already gone into production. That is clearly a case of censorship. And it would very strongly affect distribution financing and thus the health of home grown productions.

The push for this bill has been spearheaded by an Evangelical Religious Group and that alone should make it worthy of defeating.

This government has also included in the latest budget, a cut in funding of $2.5 million to the esteemed National Film Board of Canada. Those funds were originally earmarked for educational purposes. That means less funding for outreach, animation contests and screenwriting workshops.

This comes from a Prime Minister who is trying to squash a bribery scandal by threatening a lawsuit against the leader of the opposition and who has been accused of trying to influence the US election process due to his support of the Republican party.

Indefensible, if you ask me.

Edited to add: The rational that it is to ensure that pornography isn't made is erroneous. We have very clear anti-pornography laws in this country. And they cover this issue quite clearly. The movies they are talking about have already passed through reveiw for tax credits. They are talking about catering to special interest groups...religious special interest groups, but letting the Minister turn back the decision.

what the heck is ShowCase going to be able to play if not these movies?!

oh, fridays without boarders... oh i love thee.

Fortunately there seems to be a lot of opposition to this bill.  But we need to write all of our MPs and Senators about this to express our outrage that a small group of people with fringe views are about to censor film content.  It's 2008, our country has legalized same-sex marriage, it has the support of the majority of the population! and yet evangelical leaders are crowing about how they have successfully lobbied to get homosexuality out of movies along with violence and sexual content.  It's not just their tax money, it's our tax money too!  Which rightly should be allowed to support creative people making films, fiction, poetry, plays, television, art, or events which reflect ALL our lives.

This antiquated idea of "public decency" stifles creative expression.  Not only that, it's completely out of line with what the MAJORITY of the population wants, if you look at what is popular.  The bulk of the population watches sex and violence on TV.  The CSI franchise is hugely popular for Canadians.  Our most famous directors make sexy and violent movies, and most people I know have seen Canadian-funded projects like Brokeback Mountain...  Let's not forget that any sex or other "objectionable material" is a very wide category for the interest groups who have lobbied the government for these changes.  I went to a conservative church growing up, and they played Veggie Tales movies for 15 year olds on youth nights.  TV shows other than Seventh Heaven or Touched by an Angel were considered risqué by some.  This is profoundly out of touch with contemporary Canadian society, so out of touch that lobbying for the status quo seems ridiculous... but that's what we're going to have to do.  Is anyone in Vancouver planning anything?

Strombo tackles the debate with the Evangelical dude who's pushing for passing bill C-10.

http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=2055

And he takes the guy down and calls him on his bullshit. Good interview.

The issue was hotly debated today in Parliament with several high-profile members of the film industry presenting their case.

There is a series of article on the subject on the CBC web site starting here: http://www.cbc.ca/arts/film/story/2008/04/10/tax-credits.html

Of special interest is Sarah Polley's interview: http://www.cbc.ca/clips/mov/polley-invu080410.mov

I think they were showing the debates live but I am not sure they have saved them. If I find anything, I'll post again.