So Culture and Community Spirit Minister Lindsay Blackett says that he funds a lot of “shit.” Naturally, he’s been getting a lot of flack for expressing that view — there are many hard-working people in the Alberta film and television industry who don’t like having their work written off by the guy who’s supposed to be promoting and supporting them. The Alberta Liberals (and specifically Laurie Blakeman, the Liberal Critic for Culture and Community Spirit) think Blackett should step down for his comments, laying the blame for any “shit” output on his neglect of his portfolio over the last two years.

There’s probably some truth in that. Still, should a politician really be forced to resign over making an honest statement? “Why do I fund so much shit” is something that all governments and businesses have to ask themselves. The arts and entertainment industry doesn’t knowingly throw its money at projects with no value — even big-budget dreck like Marmaduke is produced under the assumption that people will want to see it. If people don’t want to see what you’re putting out, you have to ask yourself, why are you funding shit that no one wants to see?

As someone who’s in a position to see more Albertan and Canadian film and television than a lot of folks, I can comfortably say that some of it is very, very good. And that it’s stronger now than I can ever remember it. Corner Gas showed that Canadians can actually enjoy a Canadian-made sitcom. The Tudors is a Canadian co-production that’s caught on around the world. We’re actually exporting TV shows now, which is huge. And every year, movies like Pontypool, Young People Fucking, C.R.A.Z.Y. and more show that Canada is capable of creating work that can compete internationally.

But anyone that sees a lot of Canadian content (and is being remotely honest with themselves) knows that a lot of what comes out is, in fact, shit. Especially when it comes to English-language Canadian content, a lot of what’s produced will never be watched outside of a very niche audience, because nobody outside that niche has any desire to see it. That’s only natural — American productions have the money to lure Canadian talent away, and making the “scrappy independent film that could” is next to impossible.

If Blackett meant his comment as a way to start a discussion on how we can improve the overall batting average, that’s a good thing. There’s no harm in asking “how can we make things better,” even if you phrase it a little less tactfully. If it’s true that we’re funding a lot of “shit” (which can only be decided if we can figure out what’s meant by “shit,” and what standards film and television should be judged on, which is a whole debate unto itself) then we need to look at the systems that are in place, and figure out what should be changed. In other words, Blackett shouldn’t have to step down just for asking an honest question.

If the answer to his question turns out to be “replace Lindsay Blackett,” though… Well, he’s the one who asked.