What Comes Next? Bill C-10 slips into the night…

So now what? Best. Proclamation. Ever.

Bill C-10 is dead...for now away.

As of September 7, 2008, the 39th Parliament is dissolved and all unpassed legislation is done like yesterday’s dinner. The end, dear friends, signals the death of Bill C-10, and every other government bill that hadn’t received royal assent. In total, more than 30 government bills died this past weekend on the order paper. (www.parl.gc.ca)

So, now what? Well, that depends on which party emerges victorious after the October 14 election.

Not surprisingly, opposition leaders Stéphane Dion (Liberal), Jack Layton (NDP), Gilles Duceppe (BQ) and Elizabeth May (Green Party) are seizing the chance to criticize Prime Minister Stephen Harper (Conservative) and his recent arts industry missteps.

The Conservative government’s cuts to arts programs, to the tune of about $45 million, have been harshly criticized, especially in Quebec. And no matter how much Harper’s officials protest, the Tories just can’t seem to shake the impression that their omnibus tax bill C-10 (and its film industry tax credit changes) was a ham-handed attempt at censorship.

Canada’s arts and culture workers, a massive labour force, have more reason than ever to turn to a party that understands the real economic value of their work and the considerable revenue they generate. After all, if the Ford auto company can be provided with a reported $80 million worth of incentives without being labelled a corporate welfare bum, it’s hard to understand why arts industry incentives are seen as “hand-outs.”

Interesting times. If the Conservatives win, even a minority government, it seems likely that they will introduce many of C-10's provisos in a new bill.

However, it’s possible that Harper has misjudged Canadians enough that either Dion or Layton could take his job. Dion’s chances in particular look good. That said, it seems far fetched to suggest that May or Duceppe could emerge as Prime Minister, though May sure can punch above her weight and argues well enough to influence cultural policy.

Hopefully Canada’s arts and culture workers will take full advantage of the chance offered by this snap general election to ask federal leaders some tough questions about cultural policy and financing. (And to ask what is says about Harper that he introduced and passed a bill during the 39th Parliament that set a fixed election date, only to ignore his own legislation?)

Canada will have a new government on October 15, 2008. My preference is that it not be the old new Government…and one with a new attitude about arts and culture.