I agree 100%. Not that I mind support going to tha arts, but the process funds artists who optimize for funding instead of who are recognized for good art. Canada's art and cultural scene (like our science and tech scene) sucks, it's a bunch of watered down government agenda friendly politically correct crap, and largely funds the same club of favored people.
As far as wastes of tax dollars go, government funding is a minor problem, it's the hollowing out of the arts to be the crap that we have that's the bigger concern. Look no further than the fact that every good Canadian artist immediately goes to the US if they get some success. It's the same with startups/tech. The lame ones stay in Canada and mooch off the government, anyone remotely good gets out. Yes I know shopify is a counterexample.
As far as wastes of tax dollars go, government funding is a minor problem, it's the hollowing out of the arts to be the crap that we have that's the bigger concern. Look no further than the fact that every good Canadian artist immediately goes to the US if they get some success. It's the same with startups/tech. The lame ones stay in Canada and mooch off the government, anyone remotely good gets out. Yes I know shopify is a counterexample.