I definitely, in principle, support this.
I have two questions. One is, I think we need to clarify that this is a situation similar to what exists in other parts of the country. We have a few large urban centres where production is centred, and regional development isn't happening. That could be amended at “Whereas all the decision-making for the television industry in Quebec is centred in Montréal” by adding “and a similar situation exists in other urban and rural regions of Canada”. That would include that.
I have a question on the final paragraph. We know that the heritage ministry has the film report. I wonder whether it would be better to revise to say:
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recommends that the government, as a matter of urgency, look at a strategy that would provide adequate measures to stimulate regional film and television production, in regions outside the large urban centres, including looking at enhanced tax credits for film production....
My only concern is that we were waiting to hear back from them. They were still looking at the tax credit issue. I'd like to say that we're asking them to look at the issue of tax credits as a way of developing rural filmmaking, as opposed to saying that we're “insisting”.
It would be a friendly amendment.