Trudeau parties at film fest while hundreds line up for food

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It’s a tale of two realities in the city, with people standing in two separate lines.

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In one, people hope to catch a glimpse of a star. In another, people wait for food.

As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hung out with members of The Tragically Hip and Hollywood stars on Friday, not far away were lineups at food banks.

Sometimes Canada comes across as a a tone-deaf country of haves and have nots.

Certainly, there’s no champagne, hors d’oeuvres or cocktails served at food banks. Just the basics. It’s fancier for those on the VIP list inside the Toronto International Film Festival, however.

This is the story of a literal prince and pauper. And toll collectors and toll payers too. The only difference is the pauper doesn’t get a chance to play the prince as fantasized in Mark Twain’s classic novel. These paupers are kept behind security barriers while the prince and his subjects devour the good life at the expense of the public.

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And take selfie pictures with the celebrity world and beautiful people. The elite awash in privilege, with the help from millions of taxpayer dollars, live like kings while the other half fend off hunger. This was no movie. You couldn’t write a script more contrasting.

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In some ways this was another let them eat lobster moment that we saw at last summer’s East Coast cabinet retreat! Some believe this offers another example of how the fancy live while being oblivious to those around the corner not doing as well.

“Canada has become a major destination for the film industry — and the Toronto International Film Festival is a big reason why,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said in an X Post. “Congratulations to everyone at @TIFF_NET on kicking off another year. Thanks for bringing the world to Canada.”

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People close to Trudeau, however, tell me the prime minister is genuine in his interest in developing filmmakers and future musicians. They say he believes what conservatives think of as corporate welfare is actually investing in Canada and Canadians to help create jobs and prosperity.

It’s a fair debate to have. But one can’t deny these food lines near the movie lines. While it’s cool that Trudeau is a Hip fan and enjoys being around movies stars and celebrities, what he doesn’t say is Canadian taxpayers fund a large part of this party. It’s our money that pays for this fun.

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The 2024 budget indicates an earmark of “$23 million over three years, starting in 2024-25 for The Toronto International Film Festival, which attracts leading filmmakers and actors from around the world, playing an important role in Toronto’s entertainment and tourism industries.”

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So TIFF, which has not commented on how they use this cash, is getting millions from taxpayers while people can’t afford their rent, mortgages, car payments, schooling, tanks of gas or groceries?

Also on X, Trudeau posted a meeting with film students in which he wrote, “these students right here are why we invest in the arts. They have stories to tell, and I want the world to hear them.”

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When he says investments he means public grants for those pushing liberal ideals while ignoring those growing bread lines in Liberal ridings like Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland’s University-Rosedale.

There are valid arguments on all sides of subsidizing the arts or media. Media companies, like the one which publishes this column, are eligible for millions of federal aid too. And don’t forget the federal government getting ready to pony up $104-million for the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in 2026. 

But when people can’t afford to live day to day, more than two million don’t have doctors while hundreds of thousands are leaning on food banks, there should be a discussion if movies, music, soccer or media can’t make a go of it through corporate sponsorship, why should taxpayer’s help foot the bill?

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Trudeau, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow are all happy to pose for pictures when it comes to taxpayer-funded projects. With a minority government and a potential federal election looming, the cynical side of those who follow politics say this was effectively a $23-million photo op around an applauding crowd of those who get their piece of this slush fund.

Whatever your political bent, it’s hard to justify leaders living the high life on taxpayers’ money on one side of the street while there are food bank lineups on the other side.

And that’s a tragedy you may not find on a screen at the film festival.

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