NDP blasts new barriers to international musicians

Conservatives’ entry fees will harm the arts and small cultural businesses

OTTAWA— By imposing new fees on international musicians entering Canada, the Conservative government will turn away talented performers and threaten the survival of venues, bars and restaurants, New Democrats warned today.

“Why the Conservatives would put up such high barriers for foreign musicians is beyond me,” said NDP Multiculturalism critic, Andrew Cash (Davenport). “This is a real attack on the country’s vibrant music scene and the small businesses that help make it thrive.”

“This decision reflects a total misunderstanding of the arts and culture sector. Preventing foreign musicians from coming to Canada does not help protect and nurture our own artists” said NDP Citizenship and Immigration critic, Lysane Blanchette-Lamothe (Pierrefonds – Dollard). “Canada’s music scene will pay the price for this ill-conceived decision. And it’s not the first time these Conservatives have moved against the arts, against culture and against small cultural businesses.”