[e-drive][EQUIFLASH - ARTSVOTE REPORT CARD - TORONTO]

[Darlene Bullard]

------------------
ArtsVote - Toronto
------------------

The Toronto municipal election is Monday, November 10, 2003.
 
The 2003 Toronto Artsvote results are in. To find out who the most
arts-friendly candidates are in the upcoming Toronto municipal
elections, click on the links below. Exercise your right to vote and
make a difference to the political landscape as it effects arts policy
in Canada's largest theatre centre.  In Toronto, over 225,000 people are
employed in the arts and cultural industries. Imagine the impact if
every arts and cultural worker voted. Check out the report card at

www.artsvote.ca

If you have not received a voter registration card yet, go to
www.toronto.ca/elections.

ArtsVote seeks to contact all candidates and provide objective
information on arts-related issues so voters can make informed election
decisions. ArtsVote is a voluntary organization and was orginally
founded in 1994. "Simply put, ArtsVote's mission is to get as many
artists and arts workers voting on Election Day as possible." says
Katrina Baran, ArtsVote Co-Chair. "The election of an arts-positive city
council and mayor will have a direct impact on Toronto's cultural life.
It protects the cultural budget and fundamental principles such as Arms
Length Funding. It backs legislation to support Toronto's cultural
industries, worth over $9 billion to the GDP."

Every three years, ArtsVote produces a Report Card evaluating candidates
on their past arts-related voting history and/or their involvement in
and support of the arts. 

In producing the Report Card, ArtsVote endeavoured to contact all
candidates listed on the City of Toronto's election website, either by
email, fax or phone. A four-page questionnaire was sent to all
candidates. A group of assessors independently evaluated all the
returned questionnaires. These marks were averaged, and helped to
determine the grades. ArtsVote also examined incumbents' voting record
on arts-related issues at City Council, and factored these results into
incumbents' final grades. In the case an incumbent did not return a
questionnaire, the incumbent was graded solely on their voting record on
arts-related issues. 

For further information you can visite the Toronto Elections info web
site www.toronto.ca/elections or call 416-338-1111.

To volunteer with ArtsVote, or for more information, please email
artsvote at yahoo.ca or write to: ArtsVote c/o Theatre Ontario 215 Spadina
Avenue, Suite 210 Toronto ON M5T 2C7
fax: 416-408-3402 
-------------------------------------
Canadian Actors' Equity Association
44 Victoria Street, 12th Floor
Toronto, ON M5C 3C4
Tel: 416-867-9165
Fax: 416-867-9246
e-mail: communications at caea.com