House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2006, with 46% of the vote.
Canadian Television Fund February 13th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the Canadian cultural community is certainly not reassured to see that the Minister of Industry is following in the tracks of the Minister of Canadian Heritage with his laissez-faire approach to the free market in Canada. The minister still needs to be reminded of her responsibilities.
Why does she want to dismantle the Canadian Television Fund on the sly? Why is she allowing two private companies to dictate Canadian cultural policy?
What next? Does she want to abolish the CBC too?
Canadian Television Fund February 13th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the minister and the CRTC have finally woken up, but it is too little, too late. Yesterday, Quebecor announced that it could not waste any more time and that it would invest in its own fund from now on, which will have a negative impact on the leverage of government contributions. The minister refused to comment again this morning.
Does the minister realize that her lack of leadership is jeopardizing Canadian broadcasting policy?
Business of Supply February 8th, 2007
And a good one.
Broadcasting and Telecommunications February 8th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, you will admit that it is rather discouraging to listen to the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women. Do we or do we not have a Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women in this Conservative government? For the past year, she has taken a laissez-faire approach. The situation is urgent, and she does not even seem to realize it.
Production contracts are awarded in February. If the CRTC does not act this week, is the minister prepared to direct the CRTC to enforce the rules?
Broadcasting and Telecommunications February 8th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women does not seem to understand her responsibilities. On the one hand, she is passing the ball to the CRTC on the issue of non-compliance with Canadian Television Fund rules, yet on the other hand, she herself called a meeting with the two protesting companies.
In addition, she is forgetting that under section 7 of the Broadcasting Act, she can recommend that the Conservative cabinet issue a direction to the CRTC on regulatory policy. The minister can therefore act today.
Why does she not act?
Canadian Television Fund February 7th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the minister's guilty silence is strangely troubling and shows her lack of concern about developing and spreading our culture.
Is she aware that in Quebec, the most successful series are the ones made right in our province? Has she herself ever even seen one? Does she realize that the government has a role to play in promoting culture? Does she know that this is an emergency and that she should immediately repair the damage she herself wrought by giving in?
Canadian Television Fund February 7th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, we are still wondering when the Minister of Canadian Heritage will enforce the rules respecting the Canadian Television Fund and whether she still consults Shaw and Vidéotron board members such as Mr. Mulroney and Mr. Mazankowski.
Some television series may not be renewed, and many jobs are at risk.
Is the minister aware that her attitude is contributing to the collapse of our television industry and that she is putting Canada's cultural sovereignty at risk?
Foreign Affairs February 1st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, on most international files, the Prime Minister has introduced himself to the world as an ideological ghost of President Bush. Mr. Clark warns that unless Canada's foreign policy remains independent we will debase our international currency.
Does the foreign affairs minister agree that Canada has now reached the point that his former leader says is alarming due to the near exclusive relationship that the Prime Minister enjoys with President Bush?
Foreign Affairs February 1st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, yesterday, former Conservative prime minister Joe Clark said he was worried about Canada's foreign policy moving closer to that of the U.S.
Mr. Clark commented that this exclusive alignment, together with a lack of priorities for developing countries and the deterioration of our relations with China, are undermining the credibility of our country.
When will the Conservatives stop moving closer to U.S. foreign policy and return to an independent Canadian foreign policy?
The Environment January 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, let us be clear. Under the Conservatives there is no Kyoto protocol, no green plan, no green budget, no emissions ceiling, no carbon exchange, not even any reports to NAFTA. In short, no action and no results.
A year later, what is this Conservative minority government waiting for to take action? This government is not so new any more. Will the Prime Minister finally show some leadership and respect the Kyoto protocol commitments?