Members of Canada's film and television industry will take the stage on Parliament Hill Thursday to voice their concerns over a proposed bill that would give the government the power to deny tax credits to productions it considers offensive.
Canadian filmmaker Sarah Polley, actress Wendy Crewson and Brian Anthony, CEO of the Directors Guild of Canada, will be among those appearing before the Senate committee on banking, trade and commerce, asking for changes to Bill C-10, an omnibus bill proposing a host of amendments to the Income Tax Act.
"These clauses are an attack on freedom of expression and will destroy film financing in Canada," Crewson said in a news conference ahead of her presentation.
Part of the Tories' controversial legislation would allow the Canadian Heritage department to refuse tax credits to Canadian film or TV productions, even if federal agencies such as Telefilm and the Canadian Television Fund have invested in the project.
The department would base the decision on whether the production contained content — such as graphic sex or extreme violence — that the department deemed inappropriate and "contrary to public policy."
Decisions on which films will be denied tax credits will be at the discretion of the federal heritage minister and will be decided after the film has actually been made, Crewson said.
"The powers will be [the minister's], and no matter what guidelines she puts in place or what she promises to do, the decision rests with her," Crewson said, adding that future ministers will have the latitude to impose stronger restrictions on film-making.
'Double standard'
Industry representatives also complain that the amendment would be applicable only to Canadian productions; U.S. projects filming in Canada who apply for the tax credit would not be affected.
"If you're going to have a double standard, at least have a double standard that gives the Canadian industry a leg up," said director Martin Gero, whose debut film Young People F---ing has been a lightning rod during the current debate.
"Why would you limit the industry you should be supporting, while helping the industry that doesn't need it? Everyone wants to make it about censorship, but really, it's just terrible business, ill-conceived from start to finish."
Crewson and Polley said taking out the section related to film financing would easily fix the bill, which passed through the House of Commons in October and is now before the Senate.
The proposed amendment has sparked outrage within the arts community and accusations of de facto censorship against the Tory government.
But Heritage Minister Josée Verner has denied the accusation of censorship, saying the bill is just meant to ensure Canadians aren't funding graphic violence and pornography. Producers are still free to make whatever films they want, she said.
Verner, who appeared before the Senate committee last week, recently called for film and television industry representatives to help her draft guidelines for C-10 and proposed a year-long grace period before the bill would become law.
Verner has also pointed out that the proposed bill is similar to Liberal legislation tabled back in 2003 by then-heritage minister Sheila Copps.
