Canadian Heritage Committee on May 8th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Abbott.

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

At the risk of getting into a long debate, I think the exclusion of it makes it simpler. But as a federalist, I would say “in the interest of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and all other provinces” and Canadian interests. Otherwise I don't see the point of Quebec and Canadian.

As I say, I'm taking Mr. Kotto as being an honourable gentleman, and I'm sure he didn't intend this as being a problem.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Ms. Bourgeois first, and then Mr. Kotto.

[Diane Bourgeois, Bloc, Terrebonne—Blainville, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Given that Quebec is recognized as a nation and that currently—I checked—all the funding awarded by Canadian Heritage has gone to western Canada—and I challenge anyone here to find any money the minister has given to people in Quebec—I would like to leave the words “Quebec” and “Canadian”, please.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

I will go to Mr. Angus first.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you.

I don't think we should debate this for too long. I think we need to get to the substance of the motion. I would support it. I think it's simple. It says the organizations. We're not getting into politics here. We're simply saying organizations. That's self-evident, but I think we need to get on to the main issue of the motion. Last time we barely got the last motion through by 11 o'clock, and we have two motions today, so I would support that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Kotto.

[Maka Kotto, Bloc, Saint-Lambert, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I already gave my opinion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Scarpaleggia.

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

I take Mr. Abbott as an honourable gentleman as well. If he's suggesting that the motion be amended, would he propose that amendment and would his side support that amendment?

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

I am proposing the amendment to delete “Quebec and Canadian”, those three words.

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Would you support the amended motion, then?

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

Not necessarily. I want to get to--

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

We're talking about the amendment here right now.

Mr. Clerk, please.

[Chad Mariage, Procedural Clerk]

Yes. The amendment to the motion, Mr. Chair, reads as follows:

That the motion be amended by deleting the words “Quebec and Canadian”.

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Abbott.

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

I would like to speak to the amended motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Abbott would like to speak to the motion.

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

The motion as amended, Mr. Chairman.

For the interest of the committee, it's the intention of the government members to vote in favour of motion two, but we are not going to be voting in favour of motion one.

The process that is currently in play is that--

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Motion two has not been read to the committee yet.

[Jim Abbott, Conservative, Kootenay—Columbia, BC]

We will be voting against motion one because the process that's currently in play is the creation of the criteria. It's an unusual process against the way things have historically been done, at least in the time that I've been a member of Parliament here, where the minister is coming to the members in an effort to create criteria. We can't support this motion because it's calling for a draft of something that simply doesn't exist at this particular point. So we will be voting against this motion.

(Motion as amended agreed to)

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Kotto, would you please read your second motion?

[Maka Kotto, Bloc, Saint-Lambert, QC]

Yes. The motion reads as follows:

That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), in the spirit of honesty, accuracy and transparency in managing public funds, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage asks that the Government release information on its new assistance program for exhibits and festivals, specifically the terms and conditions for selecting events to receive assistance and methods of funding, and that it make this information available as soon as possible so that we are in a position to make an informed decision about the program, in the interests of the organizations in Quebec and Canada that may be eligible for assistance, and that the report be tabled in the House through the Chair as soon as possible.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

I've been advised by the clerk to make the French and English really coincide here, to be right on.

In the second-last paragraph in the English, where it says “and that the report be tabled...”, it should be changed to “and that a report be tabled in the House...”.

[Maka Kotto, Bloc, Saint-Lambert, QC]

This report—