Ottawa, February 29, 2008 - The National Director of the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA), Alain Pineau, has issued a statement today asking why further regulations for the content of publicly funded films and television productions are necessary.
Mr. Pineau notes that the debate for now should be focused on the adequacy of existing controls already in place in Canadian law. The CCA will wait until all the details are available before commenting on the proposed changes and the manner in which the reported review panel will operate.
The Criminal Code already contains provisions that deal with pornography, child pornography, the promotion of hate, slander, libel, advocating crime and sundry other elements which have proved adequate in the past to deal with these offences.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court of Canada has issued rulings clarifying some of these activities such as pornography (Butler decision), child pornography (Robin Mitchell Sharp decision) , hate crimes (Zundel decision), etc. These decisions are steeped in rigorous research and prove how difficult it is to rush to judgment based on mere idiosyncratic and personal opinions.
The CCA is concerned that these “content tests” may be required by other funders of film and television productions, or for productions in other media, for example from publishers who produce controversial novels, poems or plays; from sound recording companies who produce music where lyrics are deemed objectionable, or other forms of artistic or cultural expression.
The CCA has asked the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Hon. Josée Verner, and her officials to proceed with extreme caution and prudence in effecting revisions to the manner in which such decisions are made. The letter recalls that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees freedom of expression, should be ardently and tirelessly defended by the Minister responsible for Canadian artistic and cultural expression.
The CCA will issue further commentary on this issue when the documentation is made available by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
The Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) is the national forum for the arts and cultural community in Canada. It provides research, analysis and consultations on public policies affecting the arts and the Canadian cultural institutions and industries. The CCA fosters informed public debate on policy issues and seeks to advance the cultural rights of Canadians.
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