The question in the headline is a great metaphor for an important question facing all Canadians all the time - namely, the constant 'ask' by many groups that others pay to support/promote/foster their particular interest.  A great deal of the discussion often takes the form of 'we're the worst taxed' or 'we're not taxed as much as others.'  It often takes the form of a claim of 'fairness'- a demand that we 'level the playing field' (although it really more often feels like a demand that we ensure everybody gets the same result regardless of the choices they make or the effort they are prepared to expend).  At the end of the day, many of us work for our money, pay half (or more) of it on taxes (income & sales), license fees, levies, user surcharges etc..  At the end of the day, a great deal of our taxes and levies appears to be mis-spent for the benefit of those who dispense it or receive it.  So on balance I'd prefer to make my own decisions about the cultural' institutions to support.