Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 18th, 2006

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

I'd like to call this meeting of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to order, please.

This is meeting number 17, pursuant to standing order 81(4), main estimates of 2006-07.

Just before we ask the minister and our department officials to proceed, it's my understanding that the minister will have one hour with us today. Is this right?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

You have no extra time? Are you sure?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Maybe ten minutes, Mr. Chair, but I do have another meeting to be at.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Yes, Mr. Angus.

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

Mr. Chair, I'd like to put on the record that I find that answer completely unacceptable.

We asked this minister here. We have estimates. This is the serious financial issue of our committee and what the Department of Heritage is doing. The fact that she's booked herself into another meeting is of no consequence to me. I believe she's here to answer our questions, and I think she should stay for the full two hours. Otherwise, we're pretty much wasting our time.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

What I intend to do today, Mr. Angus, is adhere to the five-minute question-and-answer format. I've been very lenient on other occasions. That way we can get through a mound of questions. I will be holding to that.

Afterwards, the ministry officials will stay, but ministry officials will not answer political questions.

Yes, Mr. Belanger.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Chairman, I continue to register my protest.

This is the second time we've been told as the meeting starts that the minister's time is one hour, when the meeting itself called for two hours of her presence.

Secondly, I want to know if you're going to impose a time restriction on our principal witness as well as the members of the committee, and what that time restriction will be.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Yes.

Can we abbreviate the presentation somewhat?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

I will do my best.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Okay, fine then.

Welcome, Minister Oda and Department of Heritage staff. I'm pleased to have you here today.

We'll proceed then with the opening address.

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair and colleagues.

Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you again today. And thank you for the work you have been doing over the past nine months on this committee.

The new Government of Canada takes seriously its commitment to the arts, culture and heritage. That is why we have taken a proactive stance in regard to meeting with organizations in the arts and culture sector.

I recognize that the question and answer session to follow my opening comments is very important. So I will allow ample time for discussion.

In Budget 2006, Canada's new government promised to begin reviewing our programs to ensure that taxpayers' dollars were being well spent. This meant that the new Conservative government was ready to make real choices on behalf of Canadians. We recognize that as a responsible government such choices are necessary to fulfill our commitment of accountability and ensure that Canadians are given value for their tax dollars.

As a result of this review, our government has found savings of $1 billion. The end result will be more disciplined management of public funds. We promised we would undertake this review, and in less than a year we have delivered.

Some of the choices our government had to make affected the Department of Canadian Heritage. First, we believe that government has an important role to play in preserving Canada's heritage, and we have allocated over $245 million annually to support museums across Canada. We did, however, find a cost savings in the museums assistance program of $2.3 million per year over two years. The MAP program will retain an annual budget of $9.6 million, which will continue to help museums across the country.

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

In addition to the MAP program, Canadian museums are able to access $2.21 million a year through Cultural Spaces Canada, which assists in the renovation of buildings to meet modern standards. The arts and heritage sustainability program invests an additional $1.8 million in improving the business practices of those managing museums.

We believe that after 13 years of neglect, our museums require some support to reflect their real needs. In fact, some of the most basic needs of our museums have been neglected.

I welcome and encourage the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to continue your study of our museums. This will be a concrete contribution to a policy area that has been left untouched for over 13 years.

Ultimately, we want a policy that will benefit Canada's museums, both small and large. A new museums policy will ensure that the money is spent effectively and efficiently, and any information the committee could provide to me and to the department would be more than welcome.

We also found a $5.6 million savings by eliminating funding to the court challenges program. We believe it is our responsibility as legislators to ensure that the laws that are passed are constitutional, and our government takes this responsibility seriously.

I understand that some of you have concerns about the elimination of the Court Challenges Program, specifically concerns related to the issue of official languages. However, our government is committed to the development of official language minority communities and the promotion of French and English in Canadian society.

In this regard, we have already delivered for education a $1-billion four-year agreement, which is 44% over the previous agreement; for services, a $64-million four-year agreement, up 24.7% over the previous agreement; and for communities, a $120-million four-year agreement, up 11% over any previous agreement. And along with these measures, our government has announced a strategic plan to foster immigration to francophone minority communities.

This afternoon, since my time is limited, I would also like to discuss a few other important issues related to Canadian culture: the main estimates for the Department of Canadian Heritage and its portfolio; the Copyright Act; and the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the committee for its important work on Canada's feature film policy. Your report contains valuable insight and analysis based largely on the extensive consultations that were conducted with stakeholders from across the country. In our response to the report, tabled a few weeks back, we largely agreed with many of your findings. For example, by and large, the Canadian feature film policy has been successful and the existing levels of funding are adequate. It is important to continue to recognize the differences between the English- and French-language film markets in our policy, and that good governance and accountability under the policy are paramount.

I know we all share a common goal, in that we want to build upon the existing Canadian feature film policy. Our government remains committed to assisting the industry in reaching Canadians and international audiences with quality Canadian films.

I have had the opportunity to meet with industry representatives and will continue to do so. These meetings have been beneficial for all involved, and together we will continue to work toward real solutions that will help both French and English film industries within the context of their distinctive industry realities.

Next, I have a short update on the matter of the Chinese redress, if I may. In that regard, in June the Government of Canada turned a page on this unfortunate period in Canada's history by offering an official apology to Chinese Canadians who were required to pay a head tax as a condition of their immigration. In addition to the apology, we will provide living head tax payers and persons who have been in conjugal relationships with payers who are now deceased with symbolic ex gratia payments to acknowledge the difficulties that resulted from the imposition of the head tax. I'm pleased to report that the ex gratia payments will begin to be distributed very soon.

We are putting in place the community historical recognition program. It will fund community-based commemorative and education projects that promote the awareness of the head tax, Chinese immigration prohibition, and other discriminatory wartime immigration measures and immigration restrictions related to ethnocultural communities, and it will recognize the contributions of these communities to Canada.

The Prime Minister has also announced the national historical recognition program to be delivered through Canadian Heritage. This program will help to educate young people and all Canadians about discrimination and the hardships faced by the communities impacted.

Without a doubt, the Department of Canadian Heritage's mandate is important and very broad. I am hard-pressed to come up with another department that deals with issues as wide-ranging as sports, official languages, and cultural industries. Of course, I am joined under the ministry's portfolio by Madame Josée Verner as Minister for la Francophonie and Official Languages; Minister Michael Chong as Minister for Sport; and Minister David Emerson as Minister for the Vancouver-Whistler Olympics.

The 2006-07 main estimates were tabled in April, the first for this new Conservative government. Resources for the department total $1.4 billion in 2006-07 and maintain initiatives that were announced in previous budgets and approved by the Treasury Board.

A $267-million increase over the previous year was provided to the department. The increase can largely be attributed to increases in new funding in several areas, including, for example, $77.7 million for the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympic venues; $69.5 million for the enhancement of Canadian sports development, excellence, and participation; and $27.4 million for the aboriginal peoples program.

In 2006 and 2007, resources for the department's portfolio total $2.16 billion, an increase of $310 million over the previous year. Increased funding includes $17.5 million for the Public Service Commission, primarily for program expenditures; $16.2 million largely for program expenditures at Library and Archives Canada; $3.6 million for the Canadian Museum of Nature for operating and capital expenditures; and $50 million over two years for the Canada Council, a concrete display of our new government's support for arts and culture. While none of these were on the list of the new Conservative government's five priorities, these dollars to Canadian Heritage and its portfolio demonstrate once again the government's commitment to Canadian culture and civic life.

As I have stated, the department's mandate is broad. That means we must be extra prudent to ensure that the programs and policies we deliver have the largest possible impact and make a real difference when being delivered in a most efficient manner. We make no mistake that as we set upon our course, we have had to make some very difficult decisions. We recognize that all of our decisions may not be popular, but they are responsible choices, made responsibly and with the goal of meaningful outcomes.

Now I'd like to update you on the issue of copyright. As you are all aware, this is an era of rapid technological change. It is presenting new challenges and opportunities, especially in the broadcasting area, where technology evolves so quickly. That is why I have asked the CRTC to study the future technological environment facing the entire broadcasting industry, and the changes taking place in how Canadians are accessing their information and entertainment. The study, which I have requested for mid-December, will serve as a building block for federal broadcasting policy in the future.

We know technological change has important ramifications on Canada's copyright laws. For example, educators have been calling for amendments to the Copyright Act to facilitate the educational use of Internet material. The federal government understands the need for access to works of educational value and for clear and fair rules for using this material.

I have met with several groups, and I am mindful that not all parties agree on how best to address the issue of copyright. Therefore, we are seeking a balanced approach that ensures that the interests of the rights holders, as well as the interests of the users, will be well served. I will continue to work closely with my colleagueMinister Bernier, the Minister of Industry, on amendments to the Copyright Act as we move forward on copyright reform.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to update you on developments regarding the UNESCO convention. Last December, Canada became the first country to formally accept the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. As of September 20, eleven countries in addition to Canada have ratified the convention, while countries such as Senegal, Peru, France, and Finland are expected to follow shortly.

All indications show that the rate of ratification will accelerate in the coming months. Thirty ratifications are needed for the convention to enter into force. As stated by the Prime Minister at the Francophonie summit in Bucharest, we will be vigorously pursuing ratification of the convention on cultural diversity, and we will use every opportunity to promote its ratification by the largest number of countries possible to ensure that it is an effective international instrument.

In conclusion, let me again thank you for your work on the Canadian Heritage Committee. Your mandate is as broad as that of the department. Together, we want to see culture take its rightful place as a driving force in our society.

We want to use the power of Canadian culture to help build creative and prosperous communities across the country. We want to foster access to our arts and culture for as many Canadians as possible.

We will continue to provide strong and efficient programs and initiatives so Canada's cultural industries can build on their success.

I know you share my passion for culture in Canada. I'll end my comments now. I'd like to thank you again for the opportunity to discuss Canadian culture and the Department of Canadian Heritage.

Mr. Chair, with me today are Deputy Minister Judith LaRocque and Bruce Manion, the assistant deputy minister for planning and corporate affairs. They, along with other Canadian Heritage officials, have joined me to help answer any questions the committee may have.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Thank you, Minister.

The first question goes to Mr. Bélanger.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I think we've gone over twice the time usually allotted to our witnesses, but that just takes away ten minutes. Perhaps we can recover them some other time.

Madame Minister, is it still your intention to introduce legislation on copyrights this fall, or are we now looking at 2007?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Monsieur Bélanger, we are sticking with our plan and we are working very aggressively. I know both Minister Bernier and I have made reference to the fall, and that is our intent and plan so far.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you.

Is it still your intention to proceed with a review of the mandate of CBC? If so, when? If so, will you adhere to the resolution that this committee adopted, and which was subsequently adopted unanimously in the House, that this committee be consulted on the terms of reference of whatever reviewed mechanism you choose?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Yes. As you know, I've given direction to the CRTC to give us a report on the environment and the technological changes, and also the utilization of those new technologies by Canadians. That report should be delivered by the middle of December, at which time the government will receive the report and of course absorb it. We will then proceed with the next logical step.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Which is the review of the mandate?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Consequently, we will honour the commitment made. We know that and are very aware of the request.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Thank you.

Minister, when you came here last time, for an hour again, you responded to a question that I asked on the court challenges program, a prophetic question. We were discussing the 2007-08 horizon, and I'll quote you:

I'm not prepared to make a commitment beyond that horizon, only because we have not undertaken any review of this program. Again, this government was elected to ensure that all public funds are being used accountably and effectively, which is not to say that this program isn't valuable, but that we have not received a report on the review of the program.

Minister, this afternoon the House will vote on a motion adopted by this committee to continue the court challenges program. In the hope of helping the debate along, would you be prepared to table the review that you didn't have back then, but which you surely to God must have received in order to cut the program?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Monsieur Bélanger is quite correct. We have a review of the program, and I would suggest that if the member so wishes, Mr. Chair, we would certainly provide for the committee the review report as we have it.

I would also point out that the court challenges program undertook the same review as all programs throughout the government, in every department of this government. As the government announced when it announced the expenditure review, there were criteria upon which those decisions were made, which were efficiency, adherence to core activities and programs of the federal government, and to avoid duplication in streamlining.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

When can we expect a copy of that document, Madam Minister?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

I'll ask the deputy to respond to that.

[Judith LaRocque, Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

I'll see if someone has it with them. I think it was publicly posted on our website as well. We can have copies made, and we can provide it to the clerk.