iberal senators will amend film-financing bill
Updated Wed. Jun. 18 2008 11:57 AM ET
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Liberal senators will amend the controversial film-financing sections of the government's omnibus tax bill, despite the fact that the Commons passed the legislation as a confidence measure.
The senators say they talked it over with Liberal Leader Stephane Dion -- who bowed to the confidence pressure in the Commons and held back the votes that could have defeated the measure, and the government -- and were told to "do their job.''
Senator Francis Fox said the Senate will send the bill back to the Commons after deleting the sections which would allow the minister of Heritage to deny tax credits to films which don't meet public policy standards.
Those sections drew angry criticism from the film industry, which accused the government of imposing censorship and claimed that it would hamstring financing for film and TV productions.
The measures are contained in a 560-page omnibus tax bill. The opposition in the Commons could have derailed it, but under threat of forcing an election, the Liberals refused to vote against it en masse.
The Liberals have a majority in the Senate and a government defeat in the upper chamber can't by itself trigger an election.
Fox said the amendments are vital, since a parade of witnesses told the Senate banking committee of dire consequences if the bill passes unchanged. He also said he feels the government may accept the changes on second thought.
"Everybody in the country is saying this is a terrible bill,'' Fox said. "It's going to have the consequence of shutting down the Canadian film industry.
"Would the government want to destroy the Canadian film industry? Would the government want to destroy the Canadian film industry by making this a confidence motion?
He said even Conservative senators recognize the bill as a threat to the industry.
"I think, on the other hand, the government now has the opportunity of standing back and saying, 'Well, you know, maybe we went too far.'
"Hopefully they will come to their senses and they will back off and they will say that the amendments make sense.''
A spokesman for Heritage Minister Josee Verner had no immediate comment.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080618/senate_film_080618/20080618?hub=Canada
Updated Wed. Jun. 18 2008 11:57 AM ET
The Canadian Press
OTTAWA -- Liberal senators will amend the controversial film-financing sections of the government's omnibus tax bill, despite the fact that the Commons passed the legislation as a confidence measure.
The senators say they talked it over with Liberal Leader Stephane Dion -- who bowed to the confidence pressure in the Commons and held back the votes that could have defeated the measure, and the government -- and were told to "do their job.''
Senator Francis Fox said the Senate will send the bill back to the Commons after deleting the sections which would allow the minister of Heritage to deny tax credits to films which don't meet public policy standards.
Those sections drew angry criticism from the film industry, which accused the government of imposing censorship and claimed that it would hamstring financing for film and TV productions.
The measures are contained in a 560-page omnibus tax bill. The opposition in the Commons could have derailed it, but under threat of forcing an election, the Liberals refused to vote against it en masse.
The Liberals have a majority in the Senate and a government defeat in the upper chamber can't by itself trigger an election.
Fox said the amendments are vital, since a parade of witnesses told the Senate banking committee of dire consequences if the bill passes unchanged. He also said he feels the government may accept the changes on second thought.
"Everybody in the country is saying this is a terrible bill,'' Fox said. "It's going to have the consequence of shutting down the Canadian film industry.
"Would the government want to destroy the Canadian film industry? Would the government want to destroy the Canadian film industry by making this a confidence motion?
He said even Conservative senators recognize the bill as a threat to the industry.
"I think, on the other hand, the government now has the opportunity of standing back and saying, 'Well, you know, maybe we went too far.'
"Hopefully they will come to their senses and they will back off and they will say that the amendments make sense.''
A spokesman for Heritage Minister Josee Verner had no immediate comment.
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080618/senate_film_080618/20080618?hub=Canada
