Even if you wouldn't shell out for it at the box office, you'll certainly be paying for it through your taxes.

CBC has now officially confirmed its plans to make a TV movie about the life of former opposition leader Jack Layton.

The project is described as a lead-up to the 2011 election, focusing on the romance between Layton and wife Olivia Chow.

Sure, one could pick worse subjects for a Canadian TV movie. In a QMI Agency/Leger poll conducted in the run up the last federal election, Layton was most likeable. He was the leader Canadians would have most liked to have a beer with.

But we can't help but wonder if the state broadcaster is going to tell Layton's full story, warts and all, or if this will just be gushing praise. After all, their news department never shied away from showing their love for him.

Will they bring up some of the less shining moments in Layton's career?

Will they bring up his opposition, while on Toronto council, to the creation of the SkyDome? To bringing the 1996 Olympics to Toronto? To the creation of a new subway line that would have been completed by 2011?

Will they bring up his time spent living with Chow and her mother in an affordable housing unit?

Will they bring up his visit to a massage parlour at the time of a police raid?

We're not being unduly skeptical. We know taxpayer-funded political films aren't always the most balanced.

After all, the last biopic of a major Canadian politician wasn't balanced.

The 2011 film Mulroney: The Opera -- which received tax dollars from Telefilm Canada -- certainly put its subject through the wringer.

"It is at once a comedy and a tragedy," explains Telefilm's website. What about a serious drama? Or a historical account? Nope. Maybe that has something to do with Mulroney not being a left-winger. Or maybe we're just paranoid.

We all know the state broadcaster is politically biased. We all know they have no qualms with how they spend the billion dollars of your money they receive annually.

Jack and his supporters may smile after seeing this film, but we doubt taxpayers will.