CARFAC Ontario supports ACTRA and the Canadian Actors' Equity Association in the fight against censorship as reflected in Bill C-10.

Toronto - February 28, 2008 - ACTRA condemns the Conservative government's plans to act as the country's morality police by instituting new guidelines allowing it to pull financial aid for any film or television show it believes is not in the public's interest.

"The government is overstepping its bounds and interfering in an arms-length process. Withholding public funding for film and television productions it deems offensive is a dangerous direction for this government that smacks of censorship," said Stephen Waddell, ACTRA National Executive Director.

ACTRA, and arts organizations across Canada, were taken by surprise by news that amendments to Bill C-10, being considered by the Senate, would allow the Minister of Canadian Heritage to deny tax credits to film and television productions it doesn't like.

"These amendments have grave implications for film and television productions, and for all artists. This is disastrous culturally and economically. It is chilling for artists, creates uncertainty for the production community, and is morally offensive to modern Canadian society," added Waddell.

"Only two days after a federal budget that offered nothing for artists, this is really a slap in the face. First, we have no new funding for culture. Now we face censorship of what's left. We strongly condemn these actions," said Richard Hardacre, ACTRA National President.

ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) is the national organization of professional performers working in the English-language recorded media in Canada. ACTRA represents the interests of 21,000 members across Canada - the foundation of Canada's highly acclaimed professional performing community.