Oh, Canada… It seems our friends north of the border have officially descended back into the dark ages. Bands, artists, record labels, fans, promoters, you name it all across the board are outraged as Canada imposes an insane touring tax for international touring artists. The damage is $425 per band member, per performance in Canada. Beforehand, it was only a one time $150 fee per member. This basically means any smaller touring bands are currently cancelling trips to Canada.
If this sounds like absolute bullshit to you (as it should), sign the Petition.
One of the best rants on the bone-headed taxes comes from Lamb of God’s Randy Blythe. He stated the following through his Instagram account.
__________________________________________________________________________________
“For some insane reason the Canadian government has decided to enact absolutely ridiculous fees for foreign touring acts to enter their country. To tell you the truth, this will not affect a band the size of lamb of god that much- promoters make enough money off of us to figure this expense into the cost of bringing us to Canada- we do very well there, & fill every venue we play.
But for smaller acts who wish to tour Canada, those just getting their start, this will make it absolutely impossible- smaller booking agents can’t afford $425 per band member per show to bring in acts from outside Canada.
I have absolutely no idea why they would do this, since touring bands already have to pay taxes out the wazoo in Canada anyway. Now they will not be able to come, the venues lose money, the fans don’t get to see shows, the businesses around the venues lose money, the government will get NO TAX instead of their normal cut from touring artists, & most important the music & arts scene suffers. WTF? It makes zero sense.
If yer Canadian, you might want to check out this petition one of your countrymen started.”
__________________________________________________________________________________
Links: Petition
