Canadian Heritage Committee on Oct. 18th, 2006

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

The other minister has indicated publicly where he would like to see the telecommunications industry going. The only other public pronouncement as far as direction to the CRTC that the Minister of Industry has made is a direction to consider making decisions in light of a more marketplace-driven approach to it.

I understand. I know the full implications of the impact of any decisions or moves that may be made on broadcasting, on our content providers, and our content creators in the future. Without being overly reactive before we see actual changes or legislation being proposed, I will ensure, not only publicly, but in working together with the Minister of Industry, that any actions to be taken by the government and any legislation will also ensure the continuity you're asking for.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Thank you.

Ms. Boucher.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thank you for joining us, Ms. Oda. As a Quebecker and a francophone, I'm proud to note that since taking office, our government has made cultural diversity one of its priorities.

Our government has worked closely on this issue with the Quebec government. On May 5 last, it signed the UNESCO agreement with Quebec, thereby giving the province an official status, something that is very important to francophones. I support cultural diversity, but I also support French, my mother tongue.

The signing ceremony was held in the Red Room, with representatives of all Quebec parties on hand, along with all of Quebec's francophone MPs. It was indeed a magical moment worthy of note.

Canada was the first country to ratify the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity in November of 2005. Closer to home, the Francophone Summit was held and Mr. Harper spoke again about La Francophonie and cultural diversity.

Thank you, Ms. Oda. A great deal of hard work is being done in this front.

Recently, you have publicly reaffirmed our government's commitment to implementing quickly the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and to ensuring the Convention's widespread ratification, so that it becomes a credible international legal instrument.

Can you elaborate further on the importance of the protection and promotion of cultural diversity in terms of culture in Canada?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

Thank you for your question.

I clearly understand how important this is, not only to all Canadians, but particularly to the francophone community. That's why it was important for the Prime Minister. He wanted to take the opportunity when he was at La Francophonie in Bucharest to declare Canada's commitment to the statement and the declaration.

We are supporting work by organizations to promote this cause as they travel around the country. I've been in meetings with foreign ministers from other countries, encouraging them and asking how they're progressing with the ratification within their countries. I'm happy to announce that representatives of countries with an interest in the matter told me that it's working its way through their legislation as well.

So we are continuing the hard work and support, and we take every opportunity to promote and encourage other countries.

[Sylvie Boucher, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Scarpaleggia.

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Thank you, Minister, for being here.

One gets the sense that this government is shedding responsibility for culture left, right, and centre. First we were witness to the cuts to the museum envelope. John McAvity, of the Canadian Museums Association, was all over the press, saying how disappointed he was. The portrait museum seems to be doomed, to the chagrin, among others, of the Globe and Mail editorial board. The film community in Quebec is not particularly happy. You haven't been proactive in buttressing the publications assistance program, and there are rumours that Canada Post doesn't want to support the distribution of Canadian magazines any more.

There is a palpable fear, justified or not, in the cultural industries and the culture and arts community that this government, if given a chance, would privatize the CBC. I would like an assurance from you. I'd like to give you the opportunity to assure us, for the record, that no Conservative government would take a step in that direction, so that we can put these fears, whether they're justified or not, to bed.

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

First of all, let me say that this government is not only about announcing dollar figures. This government is not only about announcements that get into the press. This government is not about making decisions on programs, grants and contributions, or other activities because of what an editorial board or the headlines might say.

This government is about supporting arts, culture, and Canada's heritage. It's about supporting the citizenship and citizenship participation of all Canadians. It's about doing things, not just about making announcements.

Consequently, I have met with Quebec filmmakers. I've asked them to come up with proposals that will really help them on a long-term basis, on a stable basis. I'm looking forward to my next meeting with them, towards the end of this month.

I am supportive of our community newspapers and our publications, because they are important. Owing to the size of Canada's land mass—

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Minister, with all due respect—

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

—we need to support the subsidy that they get.

This is not only a responsibility of one minister. Previous ministers had to get very emotional to get the attention of their colleagues. I do not have to do that. I have support, and you will see this government working on the PAP program.

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

Minister, with all due respect, on this side of the committee we feel we're getting many platitudes today. We're being stonewalled, and the clock is running down. I asked a simple question. Could you tell this committee and the people of Canada that under no circumstances will the Conservative government, now or in the future, privatize the CBC?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

There is no intent, and I will make a commitment that the government that I am part of today has no intention or plans to do so. I cannot speak for a government of 10 to 20 years from now. I cannot say “ever”, nor could any member here for any party or any government that they are part of--on a going-forward basis. I will be very realistic—and that's the difference with this government. We will not say words just to satisfy. I will be very realistic and tell you that there are no plans by this current government to privatize the CBC.

[Francis Scarpaleggia, Liberal, Lac-Saint-Louis, QC]

There are no plans by the current government. But we know that we're in a minority Parliament. We know there could be an election around the corner. Will you tell us that you will not be in a Conservative caucus, now or in the future, that privatizes the CBC?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

I think I've responded to the question in a responsible manner.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Mr. Kotto, go ahead, please.

[Maka Kotto, Bloc, Saint-Lambert, QC]

Why did you ask that certain agencies apply for multi-year funding and then subsequently reverse your position?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

The parameters of certain programs that were established under a previous government did allow for multi-year funding. We were very clear when this government took office that we intended to review all programs. That is the reason, Monsieur Kotto, we are saying that while we're undertaking the reviews of the programs, the commitment is for one year so we can do the review in a responsible way.

[Maka Kotto, Bloc, Saint-Lambert, QC]

Who wanted the decision to have these agencies apply for multi-year funding reversed?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

I don't quite understand your question. I would suggest that the direction of the government--

[Maka Kotto, Bloc, Saint-Lambert, QC]

Let me be more specific.

Some agencies were asked to present requests for multi-year funding. They spent weeks working on their applications and you reversed your decision. I want to know who is responsible for this change of heart.

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

I would suggest to you that this government very clearly indicated it was going to review all the programs. In order to do that, the government decided, and I as a representative of this particular department decided, that we would restrict funding to one year for many of the multi-year funded programs. That's not to say there is not going to be funding for future years, but in order to give this government the ability and the flexibility to address any improvements and to introduce any improvements as it chooses to, that's what is happening.

[Maka Kotto, Bloc, Saint-Lambert, QC]

I understand what you're saying, Madam Minister. Do you realize that while we wait, cultural groups and organizations are struggling to hang on? Horror stories abound. We hear about board members who are forced to use their own credit card or of others who end up borrowing money to keep their organization afloat. I'm sure you've heard similar tales.

Funding was abruptly cut off and these organizations were not given any time to adjust to the new situation. Quite simply, the government swung the axe. At least that's how people perceived the situation. I'm just relaying to you what I'm hearing from people everywhere.

Do you realize that all of these organizations being given the runaround are currently in dire straits?

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

No, I'm not aware, because I meet with many organizations that are very satisfied and are doing quite well and in fact being very successful. So I would say not every organization is suffering this.

[Maka Kotto, Bloc, Saint-Lambert, QC]

That's not what I'm hearing.

[Bev Oda, Conservative, Durham, ON]

I don't quite understand. Certainly those that have been approved, that qualified and met the criteria for the first year of commitment have their commitment. If it's a multi-year funding question, I don't understand why, when that first year hasn't been completed yet, they would be short or having to use their credit cards. I guess maybe I'm not understanding the question here.