August 12, 2011

Hon. Trevor Holder

Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport

Centennial Building

Room: 274 Floor: 2

PO Box 6000

Fredericton, NB

E3B 5H1

Re: CTF Urges NB Government to Cancel Tax Credit to Bathurst Movie

Dear Minister Holder,

Our Federation supported your government’s move to cancel the New Brunswick Film Tax Credit in this year’s budget. We believe after years of overspending by the previous government, its time to cut wasteful and ineffective government programs, and film subsidies are a good place to start.

So our Federation was surprised to learn that the Government of New Brunswick extended a $250,000 maximum tax credit to a production after the film program was cancelled. The money was given to Dream Street Pictures for a film about the Bathurst  High School Phantoms basketball team that won the provincial AA tournament in Fredericton, a year after seven members of the team and the coach’s wife were killed on the way back from a game in Moncton.

Our organization writes to you today to urge you to cancel the taxpayer subsidies promised for this movie.

We urge this for two reasons.

First, your government determined that the Film Tax credit program was deserving of budget cuts. Given the government determined the program was ineffective, we believe that no further money should have been spent. 

Second, the CTF has been contacted by Isabelle Hains and Ana Acevedo, mothers of Daniel Hains and Javier Acevedo, two of the victims  of the 15 passenger van collision of January 12, 2008. Both have said that prior to the announcement of the tax subsidy on July 22, there was no consultation with the victims or those affected by the accident by the government and / or the producers of this film. Given taxpayers money, including those of the victims families, is being spent to support the film, the government and producers should have sincere and meaningful consultations  with the very people who will be most affected by the production of this movie.

During the last provincial election, Premier Alward indicated that he would listen and consult on issues of importance. So far he has acted on advice he has received from stakeholders. Recently he made the correct decision of delaying a hike in the minimum wage because of advice he received.

It’s our hope your government will listen again and support our call to end taxpayer subsidies to this movie.

Thank you for your consideration,

Kevin Lacey

Atlantic Director

Canadian Taxpayers Federation

877-909-5757

[email protected]