ITP V.013 THE MUSIC BUSINESS: Canadian Government to Charge International Touring Artists $425 per Band Member per Performance in Canada, Previously A 1 Time $150 Fee

According to the CALGARY HERALD and a petition circulating on CHANGE.ORG. an additional  $275.00 application FEE has been added for international artists to enter and perform within Canada.

https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/canadian-government-to-charge-international-touring-artists-425-per-band-member-per-performance-in-canada-previously-a-1-time-150-fee

FROM CHANGE ORG. :

An additional $275.00 fee has been added by the Canadian Government to the application for international artists to enter and perform within Canada.

This additional $275.00 fee - applications previously were a one time fee of $150.00, and now total $425 per band member - is required to be paid by talent buyers in Canada when aiming to host an international touring artist. This will inevitably cripple small music venues and small business talent buyers.

As the Calgary Herald reports,

"The new rules, which quietly came into effect July 31, will double, triple or even quadruple the cost of bringing in international artists to perform in bars, restaurants or coffee shops..."

Today we take a stand for the development of culture and performance arts.

The implications of allowing such additional fees will hinder the potential for talented international artists whom simply aim to perform for their fans and expand their recognition. Canada's introduction of such a fee should not be taken lightly, nor excused. The development of our culture on a global scale and the opportunity to invite talents from beyond our borders is something to be cherished and appreciated, not taxed in such a way that will only discourage Canadian talent buyers from welcoming international talent.

With this inflation of upfront fees associated to bringing an international artist to Canada, the government is taking a clear stance of desired control over a culture that blossoms with freedom and deserve support rather than increased financial responsibility.

In emailed responses to the Herald, officials note that the rules — which they assure were created with advance consultation from a “wide range of stakeholders across the country,” — “apply to all aspects of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, except primary agriculture.” That includes the new fee, which “ensures the administrative costs of the program are paid by employers” — who can’t recover the fee from the workers — “and no longer subsidized by taxpayers.”

Sign your name to this petition and share it with those whom you feel will also stand behind challenging such a greedy and unmerited demand that will strangle local small businesses and those attempting to welcome international talent to Canada, growing our cultural diversity and global notoriety.

FROM KORPIKLAANI: 

Seems like Canadian Government would like to put an end to Korpiklaani's touring there in Canada. Please sign to get rid of this bullshit!:

FROM  THE ABSENCE and PER NILSON: 

In the words of our own Per Nilsson " This Makes No Sense!"

FROM STRUCTURES: 

Please sign this petition, it would be a huge blow to the Canadian music scene.

FROM WARBRINGER: 

So all you guys know, this basically makes it impossible for a band like us to come and play Canada.

Canadian metal rules, Canadian fans rule, Canadian poutine rules, Canadian winter blows.

Please sign so guys like us can continue to rock/freeze in Canada.

FROM MACABRE: 

WE ALWAYS LOVED PERFORMING IN CANADA
please read and sign this petition 
so bands like us can play in Canada

FROM ALL SHALL PERISH: 

Canada is changing the laws for bands. Sign this petition to help touring artist be able to keep playing there

FROM MARK HOWITT: 

ATTENTION ALL MUSICIANS IN CANADA: PLEASE SIGN AND SHARE THIS PETITION. THIS IS KILLING MUSIC AND ARTS IN CANADA AND WE MUST MAKE A STAND AGAINST IT. WHO IS PROFITING FROM THIS? NOT THE MUSICIANS, THATS FOR SURE!

FROM VOIVOD: 

This is important! We have to do something.

FROM PRIMATE: 
If you are a musician who tours and likes playing shows in Canada (or you're a fan IN Canada) please sign this petition!
And if you're a Primate fan in Canada and ever want to see us up there again please fix your government! We had a blast up there last year and would like to do it again some day!

FROM KEEP OF KALESSIN: 
Attention all fans worldwide!

The news is that the Canadian government is to charge international touring artists $425 per band member per performance in Canada, previously a 1 time $150 Fee.

This will undoubtedly make it impossible for us to come to Canada and play ever again. Which would be a shame because playing for the dedicated fans over there is truly awesome!

So please sign this petition and help us and other international touring artists to continue playing for the Canadian fans.

FROM YOB: 
Sign this thing so that Canadian fans and bands can have bar shows with international touring bands without being raked over the coals and shaken down for a ridiculous amount of money by their government!

Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-\m/ -l-