2008-10-09

Canadian Artists Stage Rally

TORONTO, October 9: In the wake of government funding cuts, a range of writers, actors and other artists took to the streets of Toronto yesterday to rally support for Canadian arts and culture, a few days ahead of the general election on October 14.

Organized by ACTRA and the Writers Guild of Canada (WGC), the rally took place at Simcoe Park beside the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto.

“Today we’re showing all parties that culture lives in Canada,” said Rebecca Schechter, the president of WGC. “It’s 1.1 million ordinary people doing millions of extraordinary things, but together we generate tens of billions of dollars for the economy. We’re here to let all Canadians know that they can vote with their hearts and their heads in this election—by voting culture.”

ACTRA’s national president, Richard Hardacre, stated: “In this federal election, the economic value of culture and the worth of creative artists have not only come into question, they have come under attack. We’re asking Canadians to find out which of their candidates are the strongest supporters of culture, who will reverse the cuts to cultural programs, and who will stand up for Canada’s creative and economic well-being.”

Among those that addressed the rally’s attendees were screenwriter Suzette Couture (Conspiracy of Silence), performer/writer Mark McKinney (Kids in the Hall, Slings and Arrows) and actor Eric Peterson (Corner Gas).

—By Mansha Daswani