Are we free to choose Cai

Fazil Mittar

Fraser Institute
Columnist

“In a globalized
marketplace, in an cra of
rapid technological change,
Canadians have acted and
will act to advance our inter-
estsand ensure Canadians
have access to Canadian cul-
ture.” — Sheila Copps,
Minister of Canadian
Heritage

MS. Copps’ comment
is'a clear reflection of
‘the Liberal govern-
ment’s cultural policy:
to shield Canadian
cultural industries
from foreign competi-
‘tion.’

“ This is also the honorable
* minister’s way of saying

- Ottawa will decide what
‘Canadian culture is, and
what cultural products
Canadians can consuinc.

: perationally, this
policy means that federal

: is to be made

holds our country together.

Fortunately, most
Canadians are confident
that, even in the absence of
the CBC or Margaret
Atwood, Canada would con-
tinue to exist as a sovercign
entity.

Second, by protecting
owe cultural industries from
competition, Canadian cul-
tural policy has promoted

“Cuitural policy
as practised
today
constitutes a
~ handout from
‘taxpayers to
: spe interest

groups.”

rity ‘and lethargy

“among many Canadian

Even one of
Canada’s artistic legends is
fares b this $ Phenome-

onalises are Jobb:
ing for the imposition of -

many Canadian

“achieved consid-

erable international reputa-
tion without Orzawa’s pro-
tection: Bryan Adams,
Shania Twain, Jim Carey,
Michael J. Fox, and

Celine Dione come to
mind.

The success of these indi-
viduals is a tribute to their
talent and originality.

Indeed, their success is
testimony to the fact
Canadian artists can com-
pere with the best in the
world and come out on
top.

Third, cultural policy as
ractised today constitutes a
andout trom taxpayers to

special interest groups.

As a result of interest
roup falitics, the arts

fobby gains millions of dol-
lars toe its members while
ordinary Canadians foot the
tax bill.

In the final analysis, the
main beneficiaries of govern-

: Get haircuts al round at a
stylist sted in the Directory.

And then spend the rest of the
day relaxing at a spa advertised
on the Takking YeNow Pages.

ment intervention in the
cultural industry are
Canadian authors, artists,
and managers — without
any concomitant advance-
ment in the quality of
Canadian cultural
products.

In a free society,
Canadians must be able to
pursuc their own self inter-
est.

They must be free ro
choose among competing
cultural products and ser-
vices.

If we do believe in free-
dom, we must respect the
sovercignty of each other’s
preferences in all areas that
do not infringe on the rights
of others.

Cultural policy should be
No exception.

Thus any cultural pelicy
which respects the right of
Canadians to make their
own free choices must be a

Sunday, September 6, 1998 ~ North Shore News —

(la’s culture?

“bortom up” policy — one
that respects the wishes of
Canadians in every region of
the country.

If we are to promote
excellence in our cultural
industries we must free them
from the shackles of govern-
ment regulation and subject
them fo international com-
petition.

The research evidence
trom the international trade
literature suggests that the
quality and variety of cultur-
al goods and services would
improve if subject to compe-

Wes two

tition.

Ottawa, therefore, should
begin by climinating the
Canada Council and other

ublic it agencies.
P It should also make haste
to repeal all Canadian con-
tent regulations.

Then it should complere
the task by privatizing the
CBC, Telefilm Canada and
the National Film Board.

— Fazil Miblar is
director of regulatory studies
at the Fraser Institute, a
Vancouver-based think tank.

The official survival kit of back to school.