With only weeks before the SummerWorks Theatre Festival is scheduled to hit the stage, a year-old controversy is threatening to dim the lights. The Department of Canadian Heritage has cut its support for the festival after a five-year long partnership. Last summer, SummerWorks attracted criticism from the Sun newspaper chain and the Prime Minister’s Office for presenting Homegrown. The play depicted the story of a convicted member of the so called “Toronto 18” terrorist cell. It’s unclear if the controversy is directly related to the loss of funding. Ross Manson, director of Volcano Theatre Company, says speculation is rampant in the local arts community. “This is the only kind of funding the Prime Minister can get to. The Canada Arts Council is arms length, but Heritage grants money through Parliament,” Manson said. “It feels like Conservative censorship through denial of funding.” While Manson does not rely on Heritage funding for his own work, he says it’s essential for a large festival like SummerWorks. According to a letter posted on the festival’s website, the loss of federal funding has taken 20 per cent out of its budget. It’s now turning to the community to make up for the shortfall. “I hope you’ll agree that SummerWorks provides a vital service to the Canadian artistic community – introducing professional artists from diverse communities to each other to be inspired by both their similarities and their differences,” says the letter, signed by the festival’s artistic producer, Michael Rubenfeld. Manson agrees. “The SummerWorks Festival has become arguably one of the most important festivals in Canada,” he said. Larger companies scout the festival for up-and-coming independent theatre and music talent.