Canadian Heritage Committee on May 15th, 2014

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

That's right.

Do you have an update on how things are going there?

[Colleen Swords]

Yes, I visited there about a month or so ago, and it's a spectacular building. They're starting to put in some of the exhibits. I think it will be a very special and informative venue for all Canadians.

You mentioned the War Museum. The minister has just announced, I think this week, the Holocaust monument, which will be situated right across from the War Museum, so that part of Ottawa will be a true memorial to important events in our history.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

I would imagine that our War Museum will also be involved in some of these celebrations, both the 100th and the 75th anniversary.

[Colleen Swords]

Yes, indeed. The full budget for the Museum of History is in the estimates, and part of that would be for the War Museum.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

Okay.

Mr. Chairman, how's my time?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

You have about 45 seconds, Mr. Falk.

[Ted Falk, Conservative, Provencher, MB]

That's very good.

Tell me a little more about the 150th anniversary celebration in 2017. Apparently you're starting to get some feedback. Can you give us a little idea of the flavour of the feedback you're getting? What are Canadians asking to see?

[Colleen Swords]

You could almost imagine what they would be saying just by asking people around this room. Canadians are asking for things that involve youth so that the same sense of excitement that was created in 1967 can be created again, and when those youth are our age, then they too will have that memory.

They're asking for events and activities that strengthen our pride, that strengthen our recognition of what we've gone through in 150 years, but which foreshadow what might be coming next. There is a lot of interest in the new digital world. How best can you take advantage of that? How do we connect Canadians? How do we unify Canada?

And there's a lot of interest in the north. There's a real sense that the north is a very special part of Canada, and maybe there are opportunities here to identify ways in which we can help celebrate. People are always anxious to have a big celebration—on the Hill, and all across Canada—a very special celebration.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

Thank you. We'll go to Monsieur Nantel.

You have the floor for five minutes.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I would like to ask a question about these celebrations.

As you know, I am one of those people who think we have done a lot of talking in committee. A lot of information has been passed on, but I feel that little has been used. I really am outraged by the situation because I think these committees use parliamentarians and consider them as their best resources. We try to do the job while remaining as objective as possible. We try to do what is best for Canadians. We have spent a lot of time consulting a lot of people.

A few minutes ago, you mentioned 1967, the 100^th anniversary of Confederation, saying that there had been fantastic moments that everyone still remembered. Today we are somewhat concerned. I would like to ask you a two-part question.

First, do we already have a complete schedule for the organizations and municipalities that want to submit projects? If so, have there been any serious discussions with the Société des célébrations du 375^e anniversaire de Montréal? Apart from the $3.5-million figure mentioned for the Cité Mémoire project, are any other contributions expected?

I will add the following comment while you look for the figures. Exhaustive thematic research is being conducted for Montreal's 375^th anniversary. I think that is enviable, particularly as regards the metaphors and the exciting side of those celebrations.

Where do the discussions stand on the subject? Is there a timetable indicating when the municipalities and various provinces may be consulted and submit projects?

[Colleen Swords]

First off, Monsieur Nantel, I did want to assure you that the report of the committee of September 2012 has been read carefully. The government did provide a response. It was tabled back in January 2013, and every time the government tables a response it means that people have read it, people have developed a response. It's gone, it's been approved by cabinet. The committee shouldn't feel that it was ignored, by any means. It is something that we have looked at.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

So, if I may, Mrs. Swords, wasn't there clearly a recommendation in this report that a neutral agency or committee be formed to help the government in planning this? Wasn't that in the report?

[Colleen Swords]

It was in the report. The government has tabled its response. We're still completing consultations with Canadians. There have been a number of organizations that have had ideas. This will be one idea that is set in. We have not reached any final conclusions yet on how we will be moving forward. That will be something for cabinet to be deciding.

On Montreal 375, we have had discussions with them. There have been a couple of meetings with the organizers, and we will continue those discussions which I hope will be very fruitful.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Pierre-Boucher, QC]

I understand that all the people here are doing their jobs. However, Canadians are not just taxpayers. As I told the minister earlier, they are first and foremost citizens of this country. They pay taxes, and they want to get something for their money from the work that we do, that you do and that everyone does. They also want to have that feeling of pride that you referred to.

I honestly feel like it is almost midnight. If we want to have a legacy or something that people will remember, particularly the constructions, it will have to be done quickly. Do you not think that is the case?

[Colleen Swords]

I think part of what would be worth stressing is that we're not just looking at 2017 as one year, where at midnight the switch goes on and suddenly we start. We're looking at how we ramp up and how we identify the important events now that build up to 2017.

This year is the anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec conferences, which basically led to 1867. We wouldn't have had that without them and there's a tremendous amount of activity going on in P.E.I. to celebrate this year. They're doing a number of events with Quebec. The tall ships will be sailing from P.E.I. up to Quebec.

As the minister mentioned, our department has allocated over $7 million for those activities and events. Other departments have also contributed, as has the provincial government.

I think it's not quite correct to say that nothing is happening. There is a lot going on in the build up, and we're still finalizing all the planning for 2017 itself.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

Thank you very much, and thank you to our officials for joining us today. Thank you for answering the questions of our committee members.

We will briefly suspend.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

I call the meeting back to order to vote on the main estimates.

CANADIAN HERITAGE

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$178,337,991

Vote 5—Estimates and Contributions..........$1,187,709,835

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS

Vote 1—Payments under section 18 of the Canada Council for the Arts Act..........$182,092,916

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$929,278,212

Vote 5—Working capital..........$4,000,000

Vote 10—Capital expenditures..........$104,740,000

(Votes 1, 5 and 10 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN MUSEUM FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Vote 1—Operating and capital expenditures..........$21,700,000

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN MUSEUM OF HISTORY

Vote 1—Operating and capital expenditures..........$63,430,033

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN MUSEUM OF IMMIGRATION AT PIER 21

Vote 1—Operating and capital expenditures..........$9,900,000

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN MUSEUM OF NATURE

Vote 1—Operating and capital expenditures..........$26,127,096

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

CANADIAN RADIO-TELEVISION AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

Vote 1—Program expenditures and, pursuant to paragraph 29.1(2)(a) of the Financial Administration Act, authority to expend revenues received..........$3,945,670

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES OF CANADA

Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$86,431,409

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

NATIONAL ARTS CENTRE CORPORATION

Vote 1—Operating expenditures..........$34,219,186

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

NATIONAL BATTLEFIELDS COMMISSION

Vote 1—Program expenditures..........$11,940,643

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

NATIONAL FILM BOARD

Vote 1—Program expenditures and contributions..........$59,912,241

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA

Vote 1—Operating and capital expenditures..........$35,770,723

Vote 5—Acquisition of objects for the Collection and other costs attributable to this activity..........$8,000,000

(Votes 1 and 5 agreed to on division)

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Vote 1—Operating and capital expenditures..........$26,862,194

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

TELEFILM CANADA

Vote 1—Payments to Telefilm Canada to be used for the purposes set out in the Telefilm Canada Act..........$95,363,072

(Vote 1 agreed to on division)

Shall I report the main estimates to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

On division

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

Thank you very much.

[Proceedings continue in camera]