It was a shameless event, at which Chretien and Copps embodied the arrogant spirit of their government, using the arts to build their own legacy, with our money. Let's be clear. We believe in art. Or because, as he also bragged, it's the biggest such investment in 40 years. We don't believe in new spending of this magnitude based on a flimsy Liberal election promise, rather than a budget.
Art is about promise and uniqueness and originality - all the things government kills.
Canadian must pay for it. Coming on the heels of endless federal boondoggles, this announcement is nothing more than insult piled on top of injury - and passed off as fine sculpture. We're not buying it for a second, but we fear too many in this town will. Say this for Chretien - he certainly is an old master. May all those in the GTA who incessantly feel the need to criticize the TTC first be required to read Fisher's column before depositing their token for a subway ride in our shamelessly underfunded system.