Dorothy Laxton - NDP

Thank you for asking two very important questions.

1. Quite frankly it would be irresponsible NOT to uphold the commitment for extra funding. Beyond the three year programme, there needs to be long term stable funding. Who would plant flowers without watering them?

2. In the question you clearly identify some of the values of properly funding the arts. On the cold cash side, lots of jobs are created in Toronto via the arts. The economic spin off in terms of set design, restaurants etc. etc. And, of course college courses are designed to meet the demand for more courses related to the Arts. On the cultural side, our city becomes a better place to live, rich in culture. That too, of course, attracts tourists.

It would be a delight to work with the Arts community in developing more ways in which Arts in Toronto can be enhanced.

David Warner,
Former MPP
on behalf of Dorothy Laxton [NDP Scarborough Centre]