Toronto gay pride denied federal funds (The Harper Government at work)

from CBC News:




Toronto gay pride denied federal funds
Last Updated: Friday, May 7, 2010 | 11:11 PM ET

CBC News


Organizers of Toronto's gay pride festival were surprised and angry Friday at the Conservative government's decision to drop the lucrative and popular event from its tourism stimulus package.

Pride Toronto was not on the list of over 50 festivals awarded grants on Friday as part of the federal government's two-year, $100-million Marquee Tourism program.

In a statement Friday, Industry Minister Tony Clement said there are 20 new beneficiaries this year, and the fund's second-year goal was to "ensure regional fairness by making sure every corner of Canada benefits from this temporary stimulus program.

"Since Canada is a vast and diverse country, it is important that tourism events in every corner of the country are given the opportunity to promote Canada as a global destination of choice," Clement said.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, Clement said it's inaccurate to say the pride festival's funding has been "cut off." He said there was "a whole new application process" this year and no event was guaranteed to get money just because they got some last year.

The two Toronto events that will get funding are the Luminato arts festival and the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. Clement said both are making new attempts to reach international audiences. .........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2010/05/07/gay-pride-funding.html#ixzz0nNTzeSIl

At least at one point the Canadian government did.

I was going to be like...wait a minute.

The neocons in Ottawa are just doing the GOP's business in Canada.