Heated Rivalry author, Rachel Reid, speaks out against N.S. arts cuts

CITYnews halifax / By Natasha O’Neill

Bestselling author and the brains behind the global phenomenon Heated Rivalry, is speaking out against the Nova Scotia government’s proposal to axe art funding.

Lifelong Nova Scotia resident, Rachel Reid, took to Instagram to display her support for the arts community in the province, as the Tim Houston government’s proposed budget took large cuts to programs, organizations and communities. Experts have said that if the budget passes, it would have a “seismic” impact on the sector and ramifications across the province. Hundreds gathered to protest the budget in downtown Halifax on Wednesday.

Reid, who rose to stardom alongside her characters in the spicy hockey show that took the world by storm, voiced her displeasure with the news, saying, “I can say without a doubt that I am only an author today because of the strong arts scene here in Halifax.”

“The arts are why I live in Nova Scotia. We have an incredible community that has produced so much art and talent that has been celebrated worldwide,” her statement reads.

Reid’s 2019 book was made into a series that debuted in November and became an overnight sensation. Audiences have met it with a passionate response, propelling Heated Rivalry to the No. 1 series on HBO Max as the first season headed into its finale in December.

Related:

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Its success is tied to the yearning love story between Canadian Shane Hollander (Hudson Williams) and Russian Ilya Rozanov (Connor Storrie), who navigated a decade-long secret relationship in a pro-hockey league.

And Reid credits the arts community in Halifax and Nova Scotia as part of the inspiration.

“Having access to live music, gallery shows, underground theatre, independent film screenings, poetry readings, book launches, workshops…and more are what made me believe I could create something too,” her statement reads.

(Left) Actors Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie are pictured here with Halifax author Rachel Reid, at a book signing. (Rachel Reid Instagram)

There is a 30 per cent cut to Arts Nova Scotia, and full or partial cuts to 72 grant programs, including the Artists in Schools program, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust and the Art Bank. A recent national Chamber of Commerce study found that over the past three years, GDP stemming from the arts and culture sector has grown almost 8 per cent, outpacing overall economic growth.

“The arts are not frivolous. They are crucial,” Reid writes. “The proposed cuts would be devastating and would drive even more talent out of the province.”

“Please don’t do this.”

The government acknowledges the impacts on people

In a statement to CityNews Halifax, the department of communities, culture, tourism and heritage said that it realizes the budget “contains tough decisions.”

“We understand this will affect people, and we do not take that lightly,” it reads. “While some grant programs were reduced, this budget increases our overall investments in education and health care without raising taxes.”

The message notes that the government “significantly increased funding” three years ago to the sector.

“While funding has been reduced this year, total arts and culture funding remains over $66 million — a nearly 30 per cent increase since 2021. Most organizations that receive operating grants will still receive more provincial support today than they did then. When government could do more, they did,” it reads.

The department said that grants are just one part of the funds, noting that many organizations “will be able to adapt while continuing to deliver their programs.”