Tax Funding for the Arts

On February 1, 2000, Paul McKeever (then a member of the executive of Freedom Party of Ontario) was a panelist on Michael Coren Live (Crossroads Television - CTS).

The panel discussed the propriety of funding arts with government tax revenues (i.e., "government funding" of the arts). The other panelists were Toronto Artscape founder Tom Fulton (d. 2002), broadcast journalist Larry Solway, and Royal Ontario Museum CEO Meg Beckel.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• art
• arts
• funding
• taxes
• taxpayer
• government

[horvay]

HAHAHA, the end was the best. He gives his big sad story, and said, "what was wrong with that?". Then the pause... "bad business decision."

Way to hit it right on the head.

By the way, do you think the people there (except for the Tom), generally didn't know what money is? That they don't attribute money to one's lifeblood? That is, their survival? That to them, money is just some floating abstraction that gets in the way?

[PaulMcKeever]

Yes, my reply got a few such responses at the time. I wasn't really trying to be rude, just factual.

[horvay]

Was this to have a before and after shot of the beard?

[PaulMcKeever]

Ha! My child says to me the other day: "I don't remember what you look like without a beard"...so, may-be.

Actually, the purposes for posting this were that (a) we've got hours and hours of footage that isn't online yet, so I thought it would be good to put some up, and (b) in Canada's current election, the Liberals are complaining that the Conservatives cut funding for the arts by $45M, so it's timely.

[Rorshak1313]

How can you stand to go on these shows? The people on them are so stupid and anyone who's not a complete idiot gets pushed aside or shouted down.

By the way, I'm totally stealing that "full-contact museum" idea. I'm going to be frickin rich!

[PaulMcKeever]

Full contact museum. I want to be there on opening day. Ha!

[davidngo4415]

Well done Paul. Glad you have the patience and motivation to continue stating the rational standpoint in the press. Larry Solway is unbearable to watch. He's so emotional and irrational, never seeing the hypocrisy of his own opinions.

[Kikarok]

Do the writers these guys are talking about just lack the work ethic to keep themselves fed and housed while writing? The only thing that might need money that I can think of would be to help get a publisher, and that doesn't usually come until something is... well, you know, written. The whole writing discussion at the beginning is completely absurd.

[Kikarok]

There's something I can't quite wrap my mind around. How can one say that a book wouldn't be written if the author didn't get a grant? I can understand something like painting or sculpture needing some starting capital, but writing costs next to nothing. How does writing need any kind of start-up capital? Why does a writer need to be funded? Stephen King started writing while he had a simple day job. Look at him now.

[DeanApril14]

McKeever I am so sorry you had to debate these collectivist fools

[YCDTOYT]

You gotta love the governments statement at the 10 min mark. No wonder I'm not making money.

[Sam26100]

Keep up the fight Paul. I play piano, and im with you 100%. There should be no federal funding for the arts. It's always possible for people to economize, and maybe stop spending money on something that's unessential in order to pay for a child's studies. I've seen poverty, and I know it can be done.

[Entropy56]

So was the Italian Renaissance a product of capitalism or government tax subsidies?

[WickedWilmes]

Hi Paul, just saw this video the other night. I admire your courage. Intimidation was flying in from all directions, but you did not fall into the trap. Inspiring. Thanks,

Ralf Wilmes

[Mammonist]

With no libraries people will be illiterate!! That's where you learn to read, at the library I guess. I thought it was at home and then some schooling. What percentage of the population actually use the library to borrow books?

I had to stop watching at that point in the video. And since I don't get audio-video material at the library and the audio-visual arts are underfunded, I could no longer understand or comprehend the images and sound.

[illuded]

I guess my main qualm is not with Mr. Solway, despite his conduct on the show, but that the people did not appreciate 'good, quality theatre (assuming Mr. Solway did produce this). I'm appauled more about the insufficient amount of people with quality taste to maintain quality arts than Mr. Solway who at least attempted to bring forth quality art.