For a guy who doesn’t believe in big government, this Harper chap sure does like to have complete control over everything. The latest example deals with Bill C-10 which gives the government the ability to deny tax credits to Canadian (and only Canadian) films they deem offensive.

This has prompted some high profile criticism from Sarah Polley, among others, who was doing the media circuit today in Ottawa:

“If there’s something artists fear, it’s censorship,” Ms. Polley said Thursday at a press conference.

“Part of the responsibility of being an artist is to create work that will inspire dialogue, suggest that people examine their long-held positions and, yes, occasionally offend in order to do so.”

[…]

The group says that if Bill C-10 is passed, it could force artists to self-censor or to go abroad to work. Ms. Polley has also said that the proposed rules threaten the financial foundation of Canada’s film and TV industry.

[…]

“This will put a chill on the entire TV and film industry,” Ms. Schechter said, adding that the tax credits are designed as an incentive to hire Canadian workers.

Equally upsetting to Canada’s cultural sector is the fact that the legislation, criticized as a “morality hammer,” applies only to Canadian TV and film projects. Hollywood and other foreign productions that apply for tax credits get a free pass.

Ms. Polley and other opponents say rules already exist under the Criminal Code to protect against investment in films featuring excessive pornography or hate.