There are obvious benefits to living in a culturally rich community and my family and I, of course, enjoy galleries, festivals and live theatre and music. It seems, Mr. Harper, that your belief is that the benefits of art and culture end there. This, however, is simply not so.

My business would never be described as an "art" store, yet at any one time, I depend on no less than 30 to 40 Canadian artists and craftspeople to promote my business, supply me with retail products, and give my business a competitive advantage locally, nationally and internationally.

I find this creative workforce by networking through craft councils, art associations and guilds. Many of these organizations are funded with my tax dollars and the benefits all trickle their way back to me. Creativity becomes a valuable commodity that I am more than willing to pay for.

The 60-plus businesses in our Cathedral Village Business Association benefit by awareness generated to our area by wonderful arts events such as the Cathedral Village Arts Festival, Regina International Fringe Festival and the Folk Festival. All of these bring people and money together and boost our local economy.

As well, movies and television shows produced in the area always pump a noticeable amount of revenue into my business district.

The art and business worlds can and do thrive when working together. In fact, I would go so far as to say they need each other.

What would you have our business community look like, Mr. Harper, in your perfect vision for Canada? I have a feeling it would be quite gray, uninspired and homogenous. And who would want to pay for that?

Sincerely,
Leslie Charlton
Groovy Mama Mom and Baby Store
www.groovymama.net