Libs Absent On Pay Equity

Of all the measures contained in C-10, the changes to pay-equity legislation are probably the hardest to accept:

The choice of words in the new act is the most worrisome. The act emphasizes that "equitable compensation" be determined in large part by market forces—the same market forces that have long de-valued women's work of equal value and which led to the implementation of pay equity.

In the name of getting funds to all those "shovel ready" projects, I suppose something had to give. The Tories had to be allowed a few small bore, ideology based legislative items to show to their base. Nevertheless, the Ignatieff Liberals come out looking bad on this to anyone familiar enough and obsessed enough with the issue to think seriously about how the changes are likely to play out. I would like to think that there is a strategy out there through which the party plans to stop these changes from becoming law, or repeal them once in office, or some damn thing.

So far, though, there appears to be nothing. Very disappointing.

Majority Oppose C-10

Ottawa, ON – A majority (52%) of Canadians believe that it would be wrong for the government to screen the content of films and either approve or deny tax credits based on whether or not they deem it to be offensive or ‘contrary to public policy’, according to a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted for CanWest News Service and Global Television.

A highly surprising poll result. Maybe its because our "stars" are such a low key, earnest bunch--you can hardly brand Sarah Polley a decadent socialite, and Cronenberg makes you gag from the highest of artistic intentions--but it appears as though the Harper Gov's attempt to bash Hollywood North has been a failure.

The regional breakdowns in the poll are particularly unexpected:

At 62 per cent, residents of film-industry-heavy British Columbia are most likely to say the government is "wrong" to interfere in such a way. That's followed by those living in the mostly Conservative province of Alberta at 57 per cent...

And this Hill Times article describes the battle over C-10 as it is playing out in the Senate. Some speculation that it may be allowed to die there. If it does not and passes in its current form, then the Tories can kiss their long awaited Urban Breakthrough goodbye.

Municipalities Say No To C-10

The FCM (Federation of Canadian Municipalities) has gone out against the Tories amendments regarding fiscal incentives applicable to Canadian films. Not too surprising. Towns like Toronto and Vancouver (and Montreal and Halifax) get a fair bit of revenue from hosting film crews.

FCMs news release also contains the best short explanation of whats wrong with the bill that I have read:

The amendments proposed provide the Minister of Heritage Canada with the discretionary power to withdraw, once the film is completed, the tax credits already agreed upon for the film.

A film-maker who plays by all the rules can still lose funding at the whim of the minister, in other words.

h/t to Western Standard, who are reporting news these days rather than serving as on-line club-house for Ezra's band of thuggies:

The Conservative strategy behind Bill C-10 had nothing to do with making government smaller or reducing the role of the state; it had everything to do with appeasing the social conservative base of the party.

True enough, if a bit obvious. Less obvious is the WS contention that these amendments will eventually pass. My money is on them eventually disappearing into a mound of unfinished business this fall when Harper Prorogues the HOC. Harper wouldn't really damage our cities' economies just to throw red meat to the goobers, would he?

Would he?

What, No F*cking?

I was at the special Hill pre-screening of Young People Fucking - yes, the notorious Canadian film that has caused such consternation at the C-10 hearings before the Senate banking committee. The verdict? Absurdly wholesome, and really very sweet. The kind of movie that sucks you in when you’re flipping through the channels on a Sunday afternoon.

I knew it was going to be a loser.

So I guess that means the next movie my wife drags me off to see will be "Sex In The City". Apparently, there were no guys at the London Premiere, except a few that looked too hot to be straight. I'm thinking of going disguised in a wig and a dress so people who see me in the lineup won't think I'm gay. I'll probably shave first.

Do any cars blow up? Is there any machine gun fire? A villain with weird hair and a cool scar? Somebody help me.

What I'll Be Up Against!