Mr. Abbott.
Evidence of meeting #57 for Canadian Heritage in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cbc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #57 for Canadian Heritage in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cbc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Jim Abbott Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC
At the risk of getting into a long debate, I think the exclusion of it makes it simpler. But as a federalist, I would say “in the interest of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and all other provinces” and Canadian interests. Otherwise I don't see the point of Quebec and Canadian.
As I say, I'm taking Mr. Kotto as being an honourable gentleman, and I'm sure he didn't intend this as being a problem.
Conservative
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Given that Quebec is recognized as a nation and that currently—I checked—all the funding awarded by Canadian Heritage has gone to western Canada—and I challenge anyone here to find any money the minister has given to people in Quebec—I would like to leave the words “Quebec” and “Canadian”, please.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Thank you.
I don't think we should debate this for too long. I think we need to get to the substance of the motion. I would support it. I think it's simple. It says the organizations. We're not getting into politics here. We're simply saying organizations. That's self-evident, but I think we need to get on to the main issue of the motion. Last time we barely got the last motion through by 11 o'clock, and we have two motions today, so I would support that.
Liberal
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
I take Mr. Abbott as an honourable gentleman as well. If he's suggesting that the motion be amended, would he propose that amendment and would his side support that amendment?
Conservative
Jim Abbott Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC
I am proposing the amendment to delete “Quebec and Canadian”, those three words.
Liberal
Conservative
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
We're talking about the amendment here right now.
Mr. Clerk, please.
Chad Mariage Procedural Clerk
Yes. The amendment to the motion, Mr. Chair, reads as follows:
That the motion be amended by deleting the words “Quebec and Canadian”.
(Amendment agreed to)
Conservative
Conservative
Conservative
Jim Abbott Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC
The motion as amended, Mr. Chairman.
For the interest of the committee, it's the intention of the government members to vote in favour of motion two, but we are not going to be voting in favour of motion one.
The process that is currently in play is that--
Conservative
Conservative
Jim Abbott Conservative Kootenay—Columbia, BC
We will be voting against motion one because the process that's currently in play is the creation of the criteria. It's an unusual process against the way things have historically been done, at least in the time that I've been a member of Parliament here, where the minister is coming to the members in an effort to create criteria. We can't support this motion because it's calling for a draft of something that simply doesn't exist at this particular point. So we will be voting against this motion.
(Motion as amended agreed to)
Conservative
Bloc
Maka Kotto Bloc Saint-Lambert, QC
Yes. The motion reads as follows:
That pursuant to Standing Order 108(1), in the spirit of honesty, accuracy and transparency in managing public funds, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage asks that the Government release information on its new assistance program for exhibits and festivals, specifically the terms and conditions for selecting events to receive assistance and methods of funding, and that it make this information available as soon as possible so that we are in a position to make an informed decision about the program, in the interests of the organizations in Quebec and Canada that may be eligible for assistance, and that the report be tabled in the House through the Chair as soon as possible.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
I've been advised by the clerk to make the French and English really coincide here, to be right on.
In the second-last paragraph in the English, where it says “and that the report be tabled...”, it should be changed to “and that a report be tabled in the House...”.