Toronto – Ever look at the Tamils when they are walking down major streets, get pissed off that they are blocking up traffic and wished that you had something to protest about? Well, here you go – According to some people in the know, the Canadian Government is cutting off funds for the “Music Diversity Program” which probably does a lot of good things for the Canadian music industry.
I’m tired of paraphrasing, so I will now “quote” the press release.
”
Toronto Musicians, Arts Supporters Protest Recent Cuts to Canada Council. City Council to vote on motion of endorsement.
Toronto-area musicians, artists, and arts supporters will take to the streets to raise awareness regarding recent cuts made by the federal government. Heritage Minister, James Moore recently announced that 1.3 million dollars from the Canada Music Fund’s annual budget would be redirected away from the Canada Council. This has resulted in the cancellation of the CCA’s Music Diversity Program, which, for the past 20 years, has provided integral support for recording and marketing to artists who are on the forefront of forging new, innovative and distinctly Canadian culture.
The protest, organized by arts advocacy group Cutting the Album, will assemble at 6pm outside the Front Street entrance of the CBC Broadcast Centre (250 Front St. West), and depart at 6:15 pm, walking a downtown route (see exact route below) to raise awareness. Stops along the way will include performances by local musicians, including Christine Duncan’s Element Choir, and special guest speakers from the local music community. Also in attendance will be Andrew Cash, on behalf of NDP culture critic Charlie Angus, who will be speaking regarding the current heritage committee hearing, which is taking place in Ottawa to look into why those most impacted by these cuts were not included in the consultation process. Organizers will be collecting written statements and deputations to send for inclusion in this hearing. Volunteers will also be on hand to collect signatures for a petition which has already received over 5800 signatures.
On Tuesday, October 27, Toronto City Councillor Adam Vaughan will bring a motion of endorsement to council, seconded by Mayor David Miller.
Cutting the Album is calling upon anyone with an interest in the arts, to join in calling upon Stephen Harper and his Conservative government to commit to meaningful dialogue with the Canadian artistic community, to engage in a fair, transparent, and inclusive consultation process, and to renew support for arts and culture in Canada.
Here’s the route:
6pm meet at CBC
6:15 process on John to Roy Thompson Hall (speech here)
6:40 process along King to Peter, then Peter to Queen, stop at the Lush store on queen and give a speech, stop at Burrito Boys for a Burrito. Probably the Halibut one.
7:05 Queen to Yonge and up to Dundas for speeches there
7:25 Dundas to Bay and down to Queen to Nathan Phillips Square
7:40 Speech and Element Choir
”
That was the press release.
I added something to it, can you spot it?
Anyways, yeah, this seems like a good cause, I say go and march among your fellow music and arts lovers.
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Horaayy..there are 2 comment(s) for me so far ;)
You look young in that pic Ricky.
i was just crossin the street for some coffee