g, however, is that “this is a two-year stimulus program. In year one of this program, almost 75 per cent of the funding went to events in Canada's largest cities. In year two, we wanted to ensure that the money was spread out to some of the smaller cities so they were able to benefit as well. So Montreal got two. They got the Jazz Festival and Juste pour Rire. Toronto got two, Luminato and the Royal Fair. Edmonton got two. Vancouver got two. Winnipeg got two. There's only so much money to go around". The Liberal Party does not see it like this, and they think Canadians won't either. “Canadians see this for what it is, blatant discrimination and political pandering among the Conservative right-wing base.” The Liberals are also rightly questioning why, of all the festivals, Gay Pride should be cut. “Pride leaves a $100 million economic footprint, creates 650 jobs and generates $18 million in tax revenue. Why does ideology trump economics in this Conservative government?”. Hopefully the parade, being a famous and wildly enjoyed event within the LGBT community in Toronto and all across Canada, will still be able to run the same and bring a similar message about being open, and crushing homophobia within Toronto and abroad. To see the original article, click here.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Conservative Party Pulls Gay Pride Funding
In the heart of Toronto, one of the most famous annual events in Canada took place last year, the Gay Pride Parade, which has obtained fame nationwide for being a quite liberal and free spirited celebration of individual rights and sexuality. The Minister of Tourism, Diane Ablonczy, presented a $397,500 cheque to the event's organizers last year, and after pictures appeared online, a large number of compliants came from rural town in Canada, appauled that the Conservative Party of Canada would fund this event. Now, it is 2010, and Diane Ablonczy has had her authority taken away, and Industry Minister Tony Clement has now made it clear the the Gay Pride Parade will receive a whopping zero dollars. His reasonin
g, however, is that “this is a two-year stimulus program. In year one of this program, almost 75 per cent of the funding went to events in Canada's largest cities. In year two, we wanted to ensure that the money was spread out to some of the smaller cities so they were able to benefit as well. So Montreal got two. They got the Jazz Festival and Juste pour Rire. Toronto got two, Luminato and the Royal Fair. Edmonton got two. Vancouver got two. Winnipeg got two. There's only so much money to go around". The Liberal Party does not see it like this, and they think Canadians won't either. “Canadians see this for what it is, blatant discrimination and political pandering among the Conservative right-wing base.” The Liberals are also rightly questioning why, of all the festivals, Gay Pride should be cut. “Pride leaves a $100 million economic footprint, creates 650 jobs and generates $18 million in tax revenue. Why does ideology trump economics in this Conservative government?”. Hopefully the parade, being a famous and wildly enjoyed event within the LGBT community in Toronto and all across Canada, will still be able to run the same and bring a similar message about being open, and crushing homophobia within Toronto and abroad. To see the original article, click here.
g, however, is that “this is a two-year stimulus program. In year one of this program, almost 75 per cent of the funding went to events in Canada's largest cities. In year two, we wanted to ensure that the money was spread out to some of the smaller cities so they were able to benefit as well. So Montreal got two. They got the Jazz Festival and Juste pour Rire. Toronto got two, Luminato and the Royal Fair. Edmonton got two. Vancouver got two. Winnipeg got two. There's only so much money to go around". The Liberal Party does not see it like this, and they think Canadians won't either. “Canadians see this for what it is, blatant discrimination and political pandering among the Conservative right-wing base.” The Liberals are also rightly questioning why, of all the festivals, Gay Pride should be cut. “Pride leaves a $100 million economic footprint, creates 650 jobs and generates $18 million in tax revenue. Why does ideology trump economics in this Conservative government?”. Hopefully the parade, being a famous and wildly enjoyed event within the LGBT community in Toronto and all across Canada, will still be able to run the same and bring a similar message about being open, and crushing homophobia within Toronto and abroad. To see the original article, click here.
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