What a difference a few days makes. As the prospect of a majority government seemed to be slip ever further from Stephen Harper and the Conservatives’ grasp, the sweater-wearing one made some bold announcements in the yawning days of the campaign.

Now, a Stephen Harper government would intervene with cash at the first sign of the U.S. credit crisis infecting Canadian banks. The party even promised it would repeal the controversial Bill C-10, which effectively created a new censorship regime by virtue of withholding tax credits to Canadian film and television productions that were deemed “not in the public interest.”

On the weekend, Harper threw another sop to artists/cultural creators (although I’ve yet to see it reported in any of the major media). And I have to admit, rather than sow division among rival provinces or sectors, as seems his normal reflex, he has struck upon an policy idea that actually unites two interest group frequently at odds.

During a campaign stop Sunday, Harper conceded that indeed writers, artists, performers, filmmakers et al do sometimes need assistance—or an investment rather—and that they can and do make a significant contribution to the Canadian economy. It’s just that with a looming economic crisis and an ongoing, costly war in Afghanistan, the cupboards are quickly going bare.

But, Harper pointed out, here’s the thing: Alberta and its oil sands are in dire need of people. In fact, the only thing that threatens to retard development of this precious resource—short of another, still more precipitous drop in the price of oil—is the labour shortage. And as you’ve probably heard, the folks in the oil patch are spectacularly well-paid. More than six-figures a year to operate over-sized Tonka trucks and assorted other heavy machinery! You don’t even need specialized training, only enough cojones to drive the world’s biggest dump truck. If the mines scare you, stay closer to the city—hell, a cashier at Safeway makes $14/hour to start plus quickly becomes eligible for a raft of benefits (prescription drugs, glasses, dental).

Consider Stephen Long. This 22-year-old, a recent graduate of Bishop’s University, is just completing a five-month sojourn in Fort McMurray during which he held down two jobs (bank teller by day/bartender by night). He’s leaving next week with more than $20,000 in his pocket.

$20,000 is the equivalent of a Canada Council grant to an established or mid-career writer. Except, in this case, the funds would come from the private sector. The oil sands labour shortage would be alleviated and cultural production would be stimulated. Harper enthusiastically referred to the multiplier effect of this scheme. Plus, the infusion of artists, writers, musicians and whatnots would in the process add much to the cultural life of bustling Fort McMurray.

Details are sketchy so far, but it appears the program will be juried by peers—as most Canada Council granting programs presently are. Successful applicants will receive:

- Two-way air ticket to/from Fort McMurray, open return
- Five nights accommodation (municipal campgrounds)
- Twice-weekly meeting with employment councilor
- Orientation package (includes drug testing kit that can be self-administered)
- $5,000 tax credit to help get you through the lean period, post-creativity

Think: $20,000 in five months. And you could probably make even more with a little extra-curricular, illicit trade on the side. Our man Stephen Long is using his cool 20K to spend the winter sailing with his buddies. If Stephen was more artistically inclined, he could be using that money to buy himself six months in Toronto to write his first novel or create an art installation.

Stephen Harper just might be a friend to the arts after all.

(Photographs above by Lorne Bridgman, from our recent assignment in Fort McMurray.)