Canada declares a Musician Trade War.

So image my surprise as I skimming my Facebook Timeline and noticed this posting from the Independent Music Awards.

So it seems that Canada wants to put up economic hurdles for non Canadian musicians  here's the revenant information from @Calgaryherald

The regulations require that any venue with a primary business other than music but which also books bands or performers must now pay an application fee of $275 per musician and those travelling with the band (tour manager, sound person, guitar tech, etc.) when it applies for a Labour Market Opinion, or LMO, to allow those outside workers to perform and work in their establishment. That’s also in addition to an extra $150 for each approved musician and crew member’s work permit.

Prior to the changes, the fee was simply $150 per band member, maxing out at $450, and that was a one-time fee for them to simply enter the country, which allowed venue owners across Canada to share the nominal cost or book them separately at no extra charge 

exemptions, which, on a musical level, includes “musicians in a band performing several tour dates in Canada” and “musicians and buskers coming to Canada to perform in festivals,” with the one major caveat being that they “must not perform in bars and restaurants.

Let's be clear this is a direct shot aimed at Touring Musicians' that know playing in bars and clubs in Canada bring in fans and help to sell US MADE MUSIC in Canada.

So what once was a 1 time max expense of $450 bucks for each tour party is now $275/person/tour party so it don't take a math wiz to see that this is going to hurt particularly US based musicians since they share a border with Canada.

I hope the US Trade Ambassador  Michael Froman and those that represent US based musicians let alone members of Congress ( https://smallbusiness.house.gov/openmic/default.aspx ) take a look into this matter.  We as a nation are being bushwhacked, hallibutonized and out maneuvered in the area of music and I have to say from the President on down US MADE MUSIC is not a priority. And I look forward to be proven wrong since it seems that the US is not even showing up at the knife fight let alone bringing a knife -- if you know what I mean.

End part 1.