Canadian Musicians Employment Status Archive
883 Riverside Dr.,
Jan. 12, 2000
Dianne Cunningham, Dear Ms. Cunningham: On behalf of the contracted musicians of Orchestra London, I wish to bring to your attention a source of great concern. A recent audit of the orchestra by Employment Health Tax (Ontario) found that, in their opinion, the musicians are employees, for purposes of EHT. Along with this judgement came a bill for tax payment of $128,000, retroactive to 1995, payable immediately! In these days of arts organizations working in the charitable or not-for-profit sector, severely under-funded by all levels of government, this is a harsh, punishing judgement. Immediate payment is very likely to bankrupt our orchestra, stalling payment pending an appeal will add interest and possibly penalty increments. Whether or not Orchestra London appeals this judgement, if the judgement stands, surely it must not be retroactive. This burden is simply too harsh for Orchestra London to survive. We urge you to review, as soon as possible, the situation caused by the judgement of the Employment Health Tax auditors. Please respond.
Sincerely,
C. Peter Audet,
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