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June
17, 2004 – Actors and other artists came out to the CBC’s
Barbara Frum Atrium yesterday to hear Canada’s stars put arts
on the election agenda. Co-hosts Sonja Smits and Gary Farmer were
joined by Mag Ruffman, Jessica Holmes, Peter
Covered widely on television, radio and in print across the country,
the news conference succeeded in forcing the leaders to talk about
culture, and their plans for the arts. Later the same day, Liberal
leader Paul Martin and Conservative leader Stephen Harper were asked
to respond directly to the questions raised by the Canadian stars. CULTURE IS A PRIORITY “Canada
needs a strong cultural industry; and it needs to be supported
by the federal government. That's why it's important
for all national leaders to spell out where their parties stand on
this issue of national importance.”
CBC – June 17, 2004 Film, TV industry unite to demand cultural debate during election Toronto Star Editorial – June 20, 2004 – Strong culture, Strong Canada The Toronto Star - June 20, 2004 – The campaign to save culture, by Antonia Zerbisias The Torotno Star – June 17, 2004 – Actors, writers press culture issues, by Greg Quill
Canadian
stars put arts on the election agenda Toronto, June 16, 2004 – Leading Canadian actors, writers and directors are demanding that Canada’s political parties speak out about arts and culture. Among those attending a press conference were, Wendy Crewson, Shirley Douglas, Gary Farmer, Ken Finkleman, John Greyson, Paul Gross, Richard Hardacre, Jessica Holmes, Peter Keleghan, Mimi Kuzyk, Sarah Polley, Leah Pinsent, Fiona Reid, Rick Roberts, Wayne Robson, Mag Ruffman, Sonja Smits, Susan Swan, Tonya Lee Williams and Maurice Dean Wint. “Canada is facing cultural integration into the U.S. at an alarming rate and our next government needs to take immediate steps to stop this situation,” stated actor Sonja Smits.” The performers and other artists were taking part in a press conference to express their concerns about the potential for foreign ownership of Canada’s airwaves and the steady decline of Canadian drama programming on our television screens and Canadian content in our theatres. “We need to reflect Canadian diversity and tell Canadian stories. It makes economic sense. Yet, our own regulator – the CRTC – has allowed private broadcasters to replace Canadian drama with U.S. programming,” actor Gary Farmer said. “We’re opposed to any further loosening of rules governing foreign ownership of our media industries – a plan that’s already been proposed by a government committee,” said actor Peter Keleghan. These profile Canadian writers, directors and actors are determined to raise the alarm during this election about the danger Canada faces to its cultural sovereignty. “Canadians who want to live in a society that is culturally distinct from our neighbours to the south need to make their voices heard during this election,” said director John Greyson. Culture is a $26 billion dollar industry that provides more than 700,000 direct jobs for Canadians. Performers and others in our cultural industries are becoming increasingly frustrated that such a large part of our country’s economy and sovereignty is being ignored by our politicians. ACTRA Toronto Performers is the largest organization within ACTRA, representing more than 13,000 of Canada’s 21,000 professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. As an advocate for Canadian culture since 1943, ACTRA is a member-driven organization that continues to secure the rights and respect for the work of professional performers.
“I
would find it hard to take seriously any candidate who cannot speak
passionately and eloquently about the artistic and cultural
life of this country.” “I believe that without a healthy cultural industry, Canada
is in danger of losing its voice in the world. Do Canadians want
to be reduced to going to other countries, asking them to film our
stories, play our music, publish our novels, express our spirit?
I believe we have to express Canada’s spirit ourselves. I believe
our culture is too subtle and complex to be entrusted to a foreign
owner.” “There
are over 7,000 published writers in Canada and many of them also
work in film, radio and television. Our government needs
to clear space for showing our stories and legislate a Canadian content
ruling that makes sure Canadian films stay longer in our cinemas.
It's worked for the music industry and we're proud of our pop stars
and writers but Canadian film and television drama are the poor cousins
of our internationally successful art forms. I know this personally.
A film based on one of my novels was embraced internationally but
ignored in Toronto, partly because of the way Hollywood dominates
our screen time." |
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Keleghan, author Susan
Swan, Rick Roberts, Tonya Lee Williams, Rick
Mercer, Nicholas Campbell,
Leah Pinsent, Shirley Douglas,
director John
Greyson, Wendy Crewson,
Wayne Robson, Sarah Polley, Paul
Gross, Fiona Reid, Ken Finkleman, Maurice
Dean Wint and ACTRA Toronto's President Richard
Hardacre.