The Writers' Union of Canada : Current Campaigns

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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $20.1 million in writing and publishing throughout Canada.

	The Ontario Arts Council is an agency of the Government of Ontario.

Click here to see the response from the Liberal Party of Canada to questions from the Union.
(38.9 KB PDF)

FEDERAL ELECTION 2008
ASK QUESTIONS
The upcoming election will be a crucial election for creators. Prior to the election call the Union was shocked with the cuts to arts funding programs, totalling $60 million (including PromArt and TradeRoutes). These programs were the foundation for our future artists. At the time the election was called, copyright legislation that would have had a direct impact on creators was being addressed in the House of Commons. The Union is sorry that there has not been an opportunity to properly address this and other issues in the copyright legislation that died with the election call. When a new government is elected in October, it is important for the incoming Members of Parliament to know how writers feel about these issues and others. Only by speaking with your local candidates can you ensure that writers’ voices are heard and your position is considered in the new government’s policies.

The Union encourages you to continue to inform candidates of the importance of arts and culture to Canadians.

How to find the name and contact information for your Member of Parliament.
To find the name of your local Member of Parliament visit: www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC
After entering your postal code the web site will provide you with the name and contact information for your local Member of Parliament.

How to determine the name of the other candidates running in your riding.
To find the name of your local candidate, go to the website of the individual parties (see below). The site will provide you with the candidate's name and it should also provide you with contact information for the riding and/or candidate.

Bloc Quebecois www.blocquebecois.org/fr/videomaton_2005_liste.asp
(Click button “Candidats” and enter your postal code)

The Conservative Party of Canada www.conservative.ca
(Click button “Candidates” and enter your postal code)

Green Party of Canada www.greenparty.ca

Liberal Party of Canada www.liberal.ca/riding_e.aspx
(Enter your postal code)

New Democratic Party of Canada www.ndp.ca
(Click button “Team” and enter your postal code)

All Members of Parliament receive mail (no postage required) at:
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Meet with your local Member of Parliament and other candidates, if he or she comes to your door. Ask Questions.
Go to your candidate’s campaign headquarters and ask for information on the candidate’s position on issues of interest to you. Ask questions (see below). When a candidate comes to your door, ask questions. The more questions creators ask, the more times our voices are heard the greater the influence of the creative sector in Ottawa.

Attend an All Candidates Meeting
Contact any of your local candidates, or check her or his website, for a list of upcoming all candidates meetings. These are your best opportunity to ask all of the candidates where they, and their parties, stand on the issues that are important to you. So go up to one of the microphones and ask a question (see below). Don’t be shy, if elected these individuals won’t have any problems making decisions that affect you, so don’t hesitate to ask them how they intend to represent you.

Questions to ask candidates in your riding

PREVIOUS CAMPAIGNS:
Elections Ontario: review the responses to questions posted by The Writers' Union of Canada
Letter to TWUC from the Liberal Party
Letter to TWUC from the PC Party

Why Writers Need A Strong Status of the Artist Legislation in Ontario
Provincial Status of the Artist legislation could prove to be one of the greatest opportunities for writers to protect their rights and improve their status. There is currently an opportunity to lobby for such legislation in Ontario. The following primer is designed to answer members’ questions about Status of the Artist legislation and assist in advocating for Status of the Artist legislation with their local Member of Provincial Parliament. READ MORE

An Open Letter To the Hon. Vic Toews, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
READ MORE