Feds respond to Ang Lee

Yvonne Zacharias
Vancouver Sun

Josée Verner, federal minister of Canadian heritage, status of women and official languages, has taken exception to comments made by Oscar-winning film director Ang Lee regarding Bill C-10 in Vancouver this weekend.

Bill C-10 has ignited a storm of protest among filmmakers across the country because it would give the federal government the power to deny tax credits to any domestic production deemed contrary to public policy.

Lee, who won an Oscar for his film Brokeback Mountain, said such legislation conflicts with freedom of expression for filmmakers. In a brief interview after his presentation, he said such laws smack of censorship and filmmakers should fight them.

"I'm surprised about the comments of Mr. Ang Lee, director of the world-acclaimed move Brokeback Mountain," Verner said in a statement. "Lately, many false statements about Bill C-10 have been made. His statement is completely erroneous."

She pointed out that foreign films, which in the Canadian context refers largely to service work for Hollywood, are exempt from the provisions of Bill C-10. Tax credits for those films, which are much lower than for Canadian films, are administered separately.

However, in his comments, Lee made no distinction between Canadian or foreign films and was expressing general repugnance over any law that would inhibit a filmmaker's freedom to speak their mind.

"Our government is determined to ensure freedom of expression and will continue to support the production of entertaining and high quality content. We are reaching out to industry to work with them on Bill C-10," wrote Verner. "Together, we will find the best solution for the industry, for Canadian citizens and taxpayers."

Bill C-10, which involves changes to the Income Tax Act, is now before the Senate. The amendments have already been passed by the House of Commons.