"...if you are an artist or writer in Canada and you cannot make a living, it means you are not good enough and you should go seek a 9 to 5 job somewhere."  Silly stuff.

"Good enough" for what, Doc?  

We know of only a couple of instances where Vincent Van Gogh sold paintings for cash (He did manage to barter work for food and clothing, etc.). Great with paint, bad with marketing acumen, perhaps. Or maybe it was because nobody liked his stuff. Or knew about it, more than likely.  Or--even likelier--thought food, clothing, shelter were spending priorities.  Many artists and writers would laugh and suggest this sounds like Canada, 2017. 

Many artists and writers who are "good enough,"--even excellent--actually do seek and accept "a 9-5 job somewhere."  In fact, being able to support yourself in other sectors (retail, for example) while STILL toiling away at easel or keyboard, is almost a prerequisite for survival.