At the Union des artists, we sign variances on account of the Talents in View program, and that is why I raise the point today.
It is actually possible to make a feature-length film with a budget of $150,000. People manage to do it but no one is paid. Basically, what you have is nothing more than the artists and the crews subsidizing art and culture.
No one is paid, actually; not the technicians, not the writers, not the directors. That is my conclusion as to the Telefilm Canada grants. They give between $150,000 and $250,000 to people who have to do what they can to get the most out of that money. Clearly, they then turn to the associations to ask whether that amount is adequate for a first feature. We must be aware of the impact of that kind of program.