Broadcasting Act  Madam Speaker, these issues will be handled in committee, and I very much look forward to debating them with my colleagues opposite. There are a lot of factors we will have to study in this bill before making a decision. The topic of licences is a complicated one. We will probably have to very thoroughly study this aspect, but we do not have the time for that today.

Broadcasting Act  Madam Speaker, I thank the leader of the Bloc Québécois, who is the member for Beloeil—Chambly and a friend. I am at a bit of a loss. I am a little intimidated by my colleague's eloquence. It is not easy to speak after such a political legend. I will speak about my personal experience.

Music Venue in Montreal  Mr. Speaker, for months now, the Bloc Québécois has been calling on the government to create a special status for the unique and wonderful sector that is arts and culture. We use the term “the arts” to refer to the profoundly human connection between artists and the public in a welcoming and inspiring environment.

ADISQ Gala  Mr. Speaker, last Sunday, a ray of sunshine broke through the cloud of sadness that is currently hanging over Quebec. Once again we have culture to thank for it. I am talking about the 42nd ADISQ gala, which was brilliantly hosted by Louis-José Houde. This event managed to do the impossible and make the best of a bad situation.

Intergovernmental Relations  Mr. Speaker, the federal government did not arrest terrorists during the October crisis. The federal government arrested our national poet Gaston Miron. It tried to silence the great Pauline Julien. Ottawa had poet Gérald Godin arrested. Will the Minister of Heritage and member for Plateau Mont-Royal, the riding of Godin, the home of Miron and Julien, acknowledge that the federal government tried to intimidate Quebec by caging up its culture?

Jacques Godin  Mr. Speaker, when the great actor Jacques Godin left us yesterday at the age of 90, it was the end of an era in Quebec. His passing sparked a flurry of tributes as eloquent and complimentary as his talent was strong, sincere and impressively modern. Jacques Godin brought hundreds of characters to life in the theatre, in television and in film on projects such as Cap-aux-Sorciers, Les belles histoires des pays d'en haut, Toute la vérité, Love Project, Les forges de Saint-Maurice, Des souris et des hommes, Sous le signe du Lion and La charge de l'orignal épormyable.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his comments on our desire to advance the debate in this chamber and go beyond the simple exercise of our duties. Clearly, we will not be voting in favour of a national day for truth and reconciliation simply to get another statutory holiday, without doing anything else.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for her comments. As the culture critic, I am doubly interested in how culture can contribute to reconciliation in our ridings and communities. I believe that it will be important to involve our cultural communities and get them working on this so that we can all be nourished by their creativity and so that this process of reconciliation, which is sometimes shrouded in sadness and charged with emotion, can be transformed into something positive, significant and even happy.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for this pertinent question. Clearly, what we do here must be passed in the Senate. Hopefully it will happen this time, and the Senate will act quickly, with as much unanimity and good will as we have in this chamber. I truly hope so.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to split my time with the member for Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou. I thought my riding was the only one to have such a long name, but I see that my colleague's riding does too.

Bills of Exchange Act  Mr. Speaker, in the 1973-74 school year, when she was six years old and went to St. Joseph Mission residential school for the first time, a young Phyllis wore a beautiful orange shirt her grandmother had just bought her. Just imagine being five or six years old and getting a present from your grandmother, and think about what a special gift that would be.

Culture  Mr. Speaker, the myriad professions in the cultural industry have been honoured during the 24th edition of Journées de la culture au Québec, which runs from September 25 to October 25. This month-long celebration is devoted to showcasing the big, beautiful arts community, which provides our people with inspiration, identity, prestige and meaning and earns us global recognition and renown.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, once the bill is passed, we will put our faith in eminent experts who are much more knowledgeable than we are, thanks to a university system that is supported by our tax dollars. They will testify in committee, and we will listen to them. We will improve the bill, to make sure that the act is fair and easy to implement.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, in response, I will say what I hope not to see. I do not want to see any wandering discourse meant to sweep this under the rug. I also want everyone here to acknowledge that we are but humble humans, not experts. We will hear from the experts in committee, experts who will guide us on what useful, appropriate tools should be included in the bill.

Criminal Code  Mr. Speaker, since I am probably coming to the end of my time, I would like to commend my esteemed colleague, Véronique Hivon, who worked very hard to ensure that Quebec led the way in medical assistance in dying. It now sets the standard. I take this opportunity to acknowledge her.