Did you know that the Canadian Goverment does not consider fashion design to be a cultural industry in Canada? This means our designers are not eligible for tax credits and government grants, readily available for other industries like film.

I did a short video piece on this - which I'm not linking to because of it's sheer badness (student quality, old equipment), but it is an imporant topic that still needs action - from all of us.

Ms. DiNovo – That, in the opinion of this House, the mandate of the Ontario Ministry of Culture should be amended to include Fashion Design and recognize the significant contribution the fashion industry has made to Ontario’s cultural sector. The mandate of the Ministry of Culture should also reflect the recognition afforded the fashion industry and fashion designers by both the Federal Department of Canadian Heritage, along with the Quebec Ministry of Culture, which both recognize the contribution fashion design has made to Canada’s reputation as a dynamic and diverse centre of culture and the arts. Filed on March 19, 2007 Sincerely, (fill in Name and Title)

For more info about this, visit http://www.lorealfashionweek.ca/ and click on the link that says Fashion Needs You.