By Thaddeus M. Baklinski
TORONTO, August 12, 2009 (LIfeSiteNews.com) – The federal government's Marquee Tourism Events Program will give a $3-million grant to Toronto's Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), part of which, the Globe and Mail reports, is to be used to bring former US president Bill Clinton to Toronto for a speaking engagement.
The now controversial tourism stimulus fund was the source of a $400,000 subsidy, given by Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism Diane Ablonczy, for Toronto's sex parade, notorious for its inclusion of full frontal nudity and public sex acts by homosexuals, during homosexual pride week in June.
It was reported that Ablonczy lost responsibility for distributing grants from the program as a consequence of the disbursement to the homosexual venue, though the Harper government denies she was punished for the gay pride grant.
The CNE issued a press release this morning saying that Clinton will appear Aug. 29 at 4 p.m. His speech will be entitled “Embracing Our Common Humanity.”
“It's an honour and a privilege to welcome President Clinton,” said CNE General Manager David Bednar in the statement.
“His vision for the world is very much alive in Canada's cultural mosaic. As individuals and as a society, Canadians recognize that the interdependence of our communities is vital to living an enriched and rewarding life.”
Clinton earns an average $175,000 US for a speaking engagement, the Globe reports, and the former president reaped $4.6 million from Canadians at about two dozen public speaking appearances between 2006 and 2008 according to financial disclosure documents filed by his wife, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Though the CNE is expected to charge between $20 and $50 for seating at Clinton's speech, this use of Canadian taxpayers' money to subsidize the appearance of the controversial ex-president may be problematic for many in that recipients of the grants are only obliged to earn 25 cents for every dollar received. This forces Canadians who may object to Clinton's position on abortion to fund his appearance at the CNE.
To contact CNE administration:
David Bednar, General Manager
Canadian National Exhibition
210 Princes' Boulevard
Toronto, ON M6K 3C3
Phone: 416-263-3800
Fax: 416-263-3838
Email: [email protected]
To contact the Prime Minister:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
Email: [email protected]
See related LSN articles:
Canada's Federal “Conservatives” Give $400K to Toronto Gay Pride Week
Canadian Conservative MP: Party Funding of Gay Pride Parade Came as a Shock to Most of Caucus