Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 25th, 2014

[The Chair (Mr. Gordon Brown (Leeds—Grenville, CPC)), Conservative, Gord Brown]

Good afternoon, everyone. We are going to call meeting number 29 of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to order.

Today's business is the supplementary estimates (B).

We are honoured to have with us the Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, this afternoon, along with the Deputy Minister Graham Flack and the chief financial officer, Andrew Francis.

Minister, you have the floor for 10 minutes.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages]

Very good. Thank you very much, Chair.

Hello to all the committee members.

I am pleased to be here to speak to the 2014-2015 Supplementary Estimates (B).

Before I do, I would like to tell you about some of our recent accomplishments, as well as the direction we intend to take over the next few years.

Budget 2014 reiterated our government's support for Canada's arts and culture organizations, so they can continue to build stronger communities and a stronger economy. Arts, culture, and heritage represent close to $50 billion in the Canadian economy and over 647,000 jobs across the country.

We announced the permanent renewal of cultural programs, including the Canada book fund and the Canada music fund, as well as arts funding delivered through the department and the Canada Council for the Arts. This also includes funding for the Canada cultural investment fund, the Canada cultural spaces fund, the Canada arts presentation fund, and the Fathers of Confederation buildings trust. Permanently renewing these programs brings them in line with other funding programs in the arts and culture sector that our government has already renewed on an ongoing basis, such as the Canada arts training fund, the Canada periodical fund, and the Canada Media Fund. This $122.8 million investment demonstrates our government's commitment to providing ongoing, stable funding for arts support programs.

In addition to supporting arts and culture, we are committed to preserving our history, our heritage and our values.

We are proud of our three new national museums—the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, in Halifax; the Canadian Museum of History; and the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which opened on September 19 in my home city of Winnipeg. Just last week, our government announced an additional $80.5 million to repair and rejuvenate the Canada Museum of Science and Technology, so that it can continue to inform, enthral and inspire future innovation when it reopens its doors in 2017.

With respect to sport—and I see John Weston is sitting up straight as I begin to talk about this, and I know how involved he is in promoting it—we have maintained our record levels of investment. This includes ongoing programming support for our Olympic, Paralympic, and Special Olympic athletes and coaches. And, just last month, the Governor General proclaimed 2015 the Year of Sport in Canada. This is a year-long opportunity to celebrate the role of sport in our country and to encourage Canadians to get involved at all levels.

The Year of Sport designation is particularly fitting as Canada will host a number of important international sport events in 2015, including the 2015 International Ice Hockey Foundation world junior championship, the FIFA women's world cup, and the Pan Am and Parapan Am Games. Long after the games are over, they will leave a legacy of world-class athletic facilities for current and future athletes. We will be able to host an increasing number of international competitions here at home.

These major events—in addition to the Canada Winter Games in Prince George, British Columbia, and other sport competitions and community celebrations—will help distinguish 2015 as the Year of Sport in Canada. I'm especially pleased that the Year of Sport is also intended to highlight moments in our nation's history and to build momentum leading up to the 150th anniversary of Confederation, in 2017. That remains a key focus within Canadian Heritage.

In 2014, we commemorated a number of important anniversaries, such as the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, the 75th anniversary of the start of the Second World War, the bicentennial of the birth of Sir George-Étienne Cartier. We also commemorated the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown and Quebec conferences, which led the way to Confederation.

In 2015, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Canada's national flag. We will also remember our beginnings by commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister.

Other significant anniversaries are coming up in the next few years. They include the 175th anniversary of Sir Wilfrid Laurier's birth, the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in Canada, the 100th anniversary of the First World War Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel, and the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong.

And 2017 will mark, in addition to Canada's 150th birthday, the 100th anniversary of the Battles of Vimy Ridge and Passchendaele, the 125th anniversary of the Stanley Cup, the 100th anniversary of the National Hockey League, the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, and the 50th anniversary of the Order of Canada and the Canada Games.

As we approach our Confederation's 150th anniversary, we have the opportunity, as Canadians, to commemorate so many milestones. I believe that every Canadian should know about these historic events and understand their significance for our country—a country that is strong, proud and free.

Canadian Heritage is already working closely with other federal departments and organizations on activities designed to mark the road-to-2017 milestones.

There is no doubt that Canada 150 presents amazing opportunities for our country's creative economy. We've also emphasized that this time of reflection and celebration belongs to each and every Canadian in all regions and communities across the country. That's why we gave Canadians a chance to have their say about how we should celebrate.

We've reached out to Canadians through round table conversations, face-to-face meetings, the web, and social media. Every community should think about the way to celebrate people and events that have marked their history. There is so much to share, so much to be proud of, and our government will play an important role so that every Canadian can be part of, and proud of, the 150th anniversary of our country.

The committee members have asked me to be here to speak about Supplementary Estimates (B). Allow me to highlight the most significant items before I take your questions.

We will dedicate $65 million to establish the Toronto 2015 Sport Legacy Fund associated with the 2015 Pan and Parapan American Games. The fund will ensure that new facilities being constructed for the games will have the necessary funding to continue to serve our athletes in training, as well as members of the local communities, for a long time to come.

We will also devote $11 million to commemorating important milestones on the road to 2017.

The department will also transfer $127,000 to the Canada Council for the Arts for the Commission internationale du théâtre francophone to support multilateral cooperation projects in French, as well as to ensure Canada's participation in meetings of the commission.

Another $150,000 will be transferred to the National Arts Centre Corporation for the 2015 edition of Zones Théâtrales. This biennial event showcases professional theatre from Canadian francophone communities and the regions of Quebec.

And $300,000 will go to the National Capital Commission to support the building of a national Holocaust monument.

The net impact of this year's supplementary estimates (B) for the Department of Canadian Heritage will be an increase of $91.75 million to its spending authority.

The net impact of this year's Supplementary Estimates (B) for the Department of Canadian Heritage will be a $91.75-million increase to its spending authority.

In closing, I would like to thank the members of the standing committee for all the work they do. I commend all of you, particularly on the time and energy you devote to producing extensive studies on such diverse subjects as Olympic and paralympic sport and Canada's music industry.

The input you gather from a wide cross-section of Canadians provides valuable insight that helps us shape our policy, our planning and our legislation. I am grateful for all your efforts, and I look forward to continuing to work with you and with all our stakeholders to strengthen the arts, culture and heritage in our country.

I would like to clarify something before I wrap up. I said that my home city is Winnipeg, but I was born in Saskatoon. I moved to Winnipeg when I was four years old. I am a Manitoban, but Winnipeg is close to my heart. I just wanted to make sure you understood that I am a bit of a Franco-Saskatchewanian and a bit of a Franco-Manitoban.

I will now be happy to answer your questions.

Thank you very much.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

Minister, thank you very much.

We are now going to move to questions, and we are going to start the first round for seven minutes.

Mr. Weston.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to thank the minister for joining us today. It is a privilege to have her with us.

You said that the Governor General, David Johnston, proclaimed 2015 the Year of Sport in Canada.

Many Canadians are excited about that. It's a time to encourage Canadians to be more active and healthy, consistent with things that our government has done, such as putting forth the child fitness tax credit, which has been doubled and will become a refundable tax credit next year. It is important for various reasons, as you mentioned, Minister, including the $7 billion a year that we know arises from health care costs relating to inactivity.

I must thank you for the shout-out on promoting health and fitness; it's because of what I see around the country. I appreciate the support of members on both sides for Bill S-211, which is making its way through the House.

Minister, by letting families save more money on child sports activities, we are encouraging Canadian parents to get themselves and their children involved. You mentioned some of the striking things that are going to happen next year. I wonder if you could perhaps emphasize what you think is going to happen in 2015 and how that may change our lives as Canadians.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

What a great question.

Let me thank you, John. As an MP, you have done so much to encourage and inspire the rest of us to become fitter, to take care of our health, and to participate in activities that we otherwise would never have thought to participate in. I do want to thank you. You've inspired me personally, and I know you're going to continue this wonderful adventure of fitness.

You care so much, not only about us, but you're now talking about our kids, and it is about our kids. The Year of Sport, in 2015, for me is about our kids, who struggle every day to cope with some of the stresses, but to also remain active and healthy.

I think we're going to see celebrations across the country because of the very special events we are going to welcome in Canada during the 2015 Year of Sport.

When I mentioned the women's world cup, I only have to think about the 14 years that I spent coaching soccer. I'm also a referee for soccer. I played on four teams before becoming a member of Parliament. I miss those days; I miss coaching the kids. I think that kids across this country who are involved in soccer, particularly our young girls, are going to be at those games. They are going to aspire to be like Manitoba's Desiree Scott, and like Christine Sinclair. I think this is an awesome opportunity to further inspire our young people to take care of their health, and of course to get involved in team sport that builds character and builds discipline. That is always very important in their future years.

We also have many other events that will be taking place in 2015. I mentioned some of them. The Pan Am/Parapan American Games are going to be an incredible opportunity for all of Canada, and international communities, to celebrate together the importance of sport.

We have seen how Canadians react when we get together to celebrate sport. We saw it during our Vancouver Olympics. It was incredible to feel that passion. There was a vibe in Canada as we welcomed all of our athletes to Vancouver, and we cheered them on from afar. The same thing is going to happen for the Pan Am/Parapan American Games; the kids are already talking about being able to attend. I'm so proud to be part of a government that has invested $500 million into the Pan Am/Parapan Games. We will be represented. We have a cultural strategy that will allow us to represent our Canadian identity to countries from abroad, and it will be a partnership with the Province of Ontario, and, of course, the municipality, that will forever leave legacies that our future generations will be able to benefit from.

I'm a hockey mom too. The world juniors in ice hockey are coming to Canada, and it's going to be a tremendous opportunity for our hockey dads and moms to once again celebrate a sport that is seen as the ultimate Canadian sport. You can't say the names of the two sports, lacrosse and hockey, without thinking of Canada. For our girls and boys who are playing hockey, the Sidney Crosby and the Hayley Wickenheiser wannabes, this is a perfect opportunity for them to show their talent, and for us to admire them, as we usually do with all of these kinds of events. I think it's going to be a great opportunity.

[John Weston, Conservative, West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country, BC]

Minister, you've mentioned some of our stars, but the things that the government has brought in are also encouraging people who will never be a Hayley Wickenheiser but who are inspired by our stars. We can all play that role, too. There's a Heart and Stroke Foundation reception right after this meeting next door. It's jersey day on the Hill on Friday. We all have a role to play, and you're inspiring that.

Can you comment a little more on the 150th anniversary? When you've come before the committee before, there's been discussion of that. You've already alluded to it in your comments. It would be great to hear where you see all of this going. How will Canada be different from the activities over which you're presiding as we come towards our 150th?

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

The 150th anniversary of Canada is going to be a coast-to-coast celebration of who we are, but also a celebration of how we became the greatest country in the world. We have a lot to be thankful for. As I think today about the fact that we are remembering those who sacrificed so much, as we think of the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I and the 75th anniversary of the beginning of World War II, we need to thank our men and women in uniform who fought valiantly for our freedom, and we would not be the Canada today without them.

So 150 years ago, many of these men and women fought so that we could have what we have today. It's important that we celebrate that and we're going to do that in the 150th, but aside from the past and the present, we have a bright future, and the 150th is going to focus on our youth who have a desire to participate in these celebrations, so that they can foresee a future where they, too, will be able to remember how we became the Canadians that we are.

I am looking so forward to it, not only to the festivals and the theatre that will take place, I'm sure there are books that will be written. I didn't get to see them all, but we've received some 12,000 submissions from Canadians online. We had 20 round tables across the country, ministerial round tables, and several MPs did their own consultations. Canadians are excited about the 150th and it is going to be a tremendous opportunity. We will remember this for generations to come, and I'm just so proud that we're a part of it.

I hope that all sides of the House of Commons will actively encourage Canadians to participate and submit their ideas for their communities. This is about a celebration that will touch both large communities and small communities. I want everyone in Canada to have the opportunity to celebrate where we came from, who we are, and where we're going.

I hope everyone here has a plan and will actively help their municipalities and their ridings to submit those as we progress.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gord Brown]

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Weston.

Mr. Nantel, go ahead for seven minutes.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Of course, I would also like to thank the minister for appearing before us with Mr. Francis and Mr. Flack.

I read the section titled “Mandate and Priorities” on the Canadian Heritage website. The following is stated there:

The Canadian Heritage portfolio includes the Department and our major national cultural institutions. We work together to promote culture, the arts, heritage, official languages, citizenship and participation as well as Aboriginal, youth and sport initiatives.

I think this was exactly what was important to the 25,000 individuals who protested in Montreal to show their support for the CBC. I would like to give the following notice of motion:

That the Committee undertake a study on the effects of the budget cuts to the CBC/Radio-Canada's social, cultural, heritage and real estate assets and those related to the production of Canadian content, and that this televised study concludes before March 31, 2015, and that the Committee produce satisfactory recommendations.

I wanted to give notice of this motion.

Obviously, today has been marked by the Auditor General's report. I find the situation very worrisome. My colleague Peter Julian asked you a question about the $15 million and the trusted digital repository system. You answered that question.

What has happened to the rest of the money? We are wondering where the $7.4-million portion of the $22.8 million has gone. Do you have any information about that?

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

I would first like to point out that the issues raised in the Auditor General's report date from a time when another librarian and archivist was in office. The former Librarian and Archivist of Canada was in charge. Guy Berthiaume now holds that position and has relevant experience.

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

He worked at the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

That's right. He has 37 years of senior leadership experience. He is highly capable of managing such institutions.

Mr. Berthiaume has a plan to eliminate the backlog and strengthen the digital strategy. That plan will be put in place in spring 2015, and the backlog will be eliminated by the December 2015. Mr. Berthiaume has a plan, and he will implement it.

As for the amounts of money, I will let Mr. Francis or Mr. Flack answer that question.

[Graham Flack, Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

I did not understand the question about money.

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

The total amount allocated to Library and Archives Canada was $22.8 million. If I subtract the $15.4-million amount for the trusted digital repository system, $7.4 million remains.

I wanted to know where that huge amount of money is going.

[Graham Flack]

Library and Archives Canada is an independent organization. If I recall correctly, Guy Berthiaume said that this was an independent institution. It would be worthwhile for you to invite Mr. Berthiaume to appear before you.

Is the question about Library and Archives Canada?

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

Yes. I'm sorry to have to correct you, but it is clear that Library and Archives Canada reports directly to the department.

[Graham Flack]

That's true. It's part of the portfolio, but it's an independent organization in terms of expenditures. If this is about the organization's digital projects—and you talked about an amount of $15 million out of a total $22 million—Mr. Berthiaume could answer your question.

If I have understood correctly, your question has to do with technology. However, once Shared Services Canada was created, a decision was made to no longer use an approach specific to Library and Archives Canada, but to work within the government's approach. Moreover, part of the investments was used to create data, which could be used for other software.

However, Mr. Berthiaume could answer your question directly.

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

I'm sure he could. I know he's an extremely competent man.

I can't help but point out that this committee—the members were not the same, but the legitimacy was—submitted in spring 2011 a report titled “Emerging and Digital Media: Opportunities and Challenges”. The following are the first three recommendations:

Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada support efforts by federal institutions to digitize Canada's documentary heritage and make it available to Canadians.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada develop a government-wide digital preservation policy.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada assist in developing a Canadian network of trusted digital repositories.

How can we explain such a gaping void when it comes to these three recommendations issued three years ago by a relevant committee?

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

As Mr. Berthiaume said, Library and Archives Canada already has a plan to meet the needs.

Frankly, what has happened in the past is unacceptable. The former Librarian and Archivist is no longer there, but Mr. Berthiaume has a plan. He will go forward with his plan to rectify any existing deficiencies.

As Mr. Flack said, Library and Archives Canada operates independently from the government. If you want to know the details of his plan and how he will implement it, you should put your question to Mr. Berthiaume.

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

You are clearly a team player.

Your predecessor would have definitely had more accountability in relation to this situation. These are major issues. In all of our studies, we have talked about the digital dimension when it comes to Canada's cultural and heritage issues. This is a commitment the government made, but things are not moving forward. The whole cultural community is clearly worried about this. This is certainly not...

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

To be fair, the Minister of Industry has already revealed a comprehensive plan. If you want...

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

That was six months ago.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

If you like, I could send his plan to the chair of the committee.

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

Absolutely. That would be a good idea.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

The minister of Industry still has his plan. I will send it to your chair.