A scene from Young People F---ing, an adult-oriented romantic comedy that has been much cited in the debate over the proposed bill C-10. (Toronto International Film Festival)

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty has defended the use of provincial tax credits to help fund Young People F---ing, a controversial new movie about the sex lives of young singles.

The film, which is described as a romantic comedy, had its debut at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival and will be released Friday in theatres across Canada.

The $1.4-million production received $80,000 in federal tax credits and $120,000 in provincial tax credits, according to its producer Steve Hoban.

With its provocative title, it has been held up in Ottawa as an example of why Bill C-10, which would allow the federal government rescind tax credits from films thought to be offensive or not in the public interest, should be implemented.

McGuinty told reporters Wednesday he does not believe politicians should engage in censorship of movies, art, literature or architecture.

"I'm not familiar with the movie, and I'm not particularly in favour of getting involved in censoring various artistic endeavours," McGuinty said.

"I just think there's trouble down that path if we start making those calls as elected officials when it comes to what has and does not have artistic merit."

Hoban said the incentives received by Young People F---ing were less than the income tax paid on the film crew's estimated $1 million in salaries.

"It's a funny thing because it's really become the lightning rod for this issue," he said. "The way I look at it, that $80,000 in federal tax credits could destroy the multibillion dollar film industry [in Canada]."

He argued the federal tax credits were designed as a labour incentive and really have little to do with culture.

McGuinty said he doesn't agree with the federal legislation, and he doesn't think politicians should have a say in artistic matters, even when governments often fund such enterprises with taxpayers' money.

"There are a lot of people who commented on the Crystal at the Royal Ontario Museum, to say they don't like it," McGuinty said, referring to the Toronto museum's futuristic new addition. "I think it's fantastic and provocative."

"I just don't think we politicians should be getting into lending a shape to building designs, what poetry is acceptable and not, and what movies are acceptable and not," he added.

Ontario's Progressive Conservatives expressed support for the federal legislation and said the province should be careful about putting taxpayers' money into movies that might have too much sexual content.

"I don't know what the contents of the movie are, but certainly the title would suggest that it's something that generally taxpayers would not be too damned enthused about having their money put into its production," said Opposition MPP Bob Runciman, who represents Leeds-Grenville in eastern Ontario.

"I think there should be a clear demarcation in terms of what's suitable for tax dollars to support."

A special screening in Ottawa of Young People F---ing was well-attended by opposition MPs, although no Conservative ones showed up. A staffer for Cambridge Conservative MP Gary Goodyear was fired for reserving a ticket in his name without permission.

Provincial Culture Minister Aileen Carroll said she is "very comfortable" with the work of the Ontario Movie Development Corp., the agency that decides which movies will receive provincial tax credits.

"I think they apply the Criminal Code and existing case law, and in so doing they're dispensing public funds in a very responsible and standard manner," she said.