Bollywood, Ontario

The government that has just been returned to office in Ontario with a minority-majority after having proved time and again that it is more than capable of wasting tax-payer money has another four years to continue doing more of the same. We must like it, we voted the Liberals back into power. Mind, it seemed there was little alternative....

While unemployment in the province is above the average for the country, and jobs are not re-appearing, even while costs of energy are steadily rising, thanks to the government of Premier Dalton McGuinty determined to squeeze Ontarians through misguided policies, another story of mismanaged tax dollars emerges.

In an obvious move to inspire Ontarians with roots in India to view Dalton McGuinty's continued oversight as premier of the province, the Ontario government made a ploy to bring the International Indian Film Academy Awards to the Province of Ontario. Mumbai promotions company Wizcraft International Entertainment was only too happy to bring its dog-and-pony show to Toronto.

Bollywood is a big attraction everywhere. The Indian productions are raucously good-natured, colourful and romantic. They are pure entertainment. The Indian cinema public is enraptured by their stars, and the films have a very special appeal among an immense population among whom there are huge numbers living in poverty; viewing those films represents an escape from reality, dreams of other lifestyles.

But what kind of an investment sense does it make for the Government of Ontario to pay the full fare for telephone bills, airfares, hospitality, the construction and transportation of sets and all manner of other expenses involved in bringing those awards to Toronto? Dalton McGuinty had the opportunity to show up on the 'green' carpet alongside Bollywood notables for priceless photos.

This government handed $10.5-million to Wizcraft; $5.1-million for producing the show and various related events; another $5.2-million for hotel bills, hospitality, airfare, ground transportation and travel visas to bring workers back and forth between Canada and India. That's some film wizardry; Ontario tax money disappearing into the thin air of Bollywood productions.

Wait: the Ontario Ministry of Tourism & Culture got involved to the tune of an additional $1.5-million representing a business forum and Ontario-featured video advertising. Wasn't that a smoking deal for Ontarians?