In the lead-up to the recent federal election, a number of high-placed industry executives in both the private and public sectors confided their belief that if the Conservatives won a majority, ‘We’re all…’

Well, let’s just say that they thought the industry would be in trouble.

But as we all know, it was close but no cigar for the Tories, so where does that leave things? Too soon to say for sure, but there is reason for optimism.

The feds made a grievous error in cutting $45 million-plus in arts and culture funding prior to the election. Additionally, they made no commitment to renew the Canada New Media Fund, thereby fostering the widespread perception that they were canceling it. They have similarly remained mum on the Canadian Television Fund, which has many producers and broadcasters fraught with anxiety.

It’s hard to understand the Conservatives’ timing. The cuts were done quietly – no press release, just notes on the home pages of the various affected programs – so perhaps they believed few people would even notice. On the other hand, maybe they were looking to make the pre-election statement that those cultural elitists out there were going to be turned away from the trough.

Well, they seriously underestimated the extent of media coverage their actions against the arts would receive. (Damn that liberal media!) And they were flabbergasted when a significant number of potential voters they were courting walked away over the issue – specifically in Quebec, where culture is perhaps the most significant expression of the province’s distinctness.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper showed himself to be out of touch with not only the Canuck film and TV industries, but also with his main battleground in la belle province, and it cost him dearly. He needed to make greater inroads in Quebec in order to get his majority, but instead he alienated many who flocked instead to the Bloc. And now he’s back where he started, albeit with a strengthened minority.

Perhaps the Tories will learn from all this. Backing off on C-10, the so-called ‘censorship bill’ that would have had the effect of destabilizing film and TV financing, is a sign that they can listen.

Will they restore the cut programs, or replace them with others that serve the same function more efficiently? Only time will tell, but the resulting outrage at these programs’ cancellation might ultimately convince them to at least maintain the CNMF and the CTF. If not, we’re all…

Well, you get the picture.

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All right, you’re probably wondering about this ‘new guy at Playback’ thing. This issue marks my last as editor of the magazine. After more than three years occupying this chair – and more than eight at Playback – I am stepping down to pursue some other writing projects. I will continue to contribute to Playback, however, as a columnist and features writer.

And as I get ready to step down, I look back with pride on all that’s been accomplished here in recent years. The magazine has undergone a major re-invention since the beginning of last year, all of it stemming from the launch of Playback Daily. Our online newsletter has quickly become the go-to industry source for all the latest in the domestic film and TV biz, and is a credit to those who work so tirelessly on it, including associate editor Sean Davidson, staff writer Marise Strauss, and copy chief Michelle Hille, all of whom work on the print edition as well.

With the news being covered in Playback Daily, we knew that our venerable magazine would have to change, moving to more of a features, column, and opinion-driven slant. Kudos to art director Andrew Glowala for upgrading the look of the pub, and to Suzan Ayscough, who has brought her passion and knowledge of the industry to our special reports section. Laurels as well to our roster of excellent freelancers, who contribute both online and in print, and who keep this industry covered from coast to coast. I couldn’t sign off without also acknowledging the efforts of our great sales and IT staff.

And it gives me great pleasure to introduce Brendan Christie as my successor. Brendan will already be familiar to many of you, especially those in the nonfiction sector, as he has been editor of our sister publication RealScreen – his second stint there – for the past four years. I seem to recall he was also editor of our sister publication Boards, about international commercial production, for some amount of time. There was also a stretch when he was filing freelance stories to me. Overall, wearing various hats, Brendan has been kicking around Brunico Communications for 11 years, so he’s no stranger to any of this.

And I can’t think of a more able person to hand the baton. Brendan is an eloquent and insightful writer whose work is imbued with plenty of opinion and humor. As a team leader, he is a straight shooter and a calming presence. He has been in charge of a highly successful redesign at RealScreen, as well as the launch of its new online news feed. I know Brendan is excited about joining the Playback team in late November, and will bring plenty of fresh ideas. In the meantime, although I will no longer be overseeing the day-to-day operations of Playback editorial, I will be helping out with the year’s remaining issues and continuing to write this column.

Speaking of the team, it continues to amaze me how much gets done by this small group of overachievers. There’s been a lot of work and a lot of late nights, but it’s always been fun and without complaint, as people here are just concerned with doing the best job possible. I am so impressed and grateful for their efforts. I know that Playback is in great shape now, and, with Brendan at the helm, its future is in good hands.

But like I said, this isn’t goodbye. See you next issue.