Evidence of meeting #12 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was council.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
I'm losing control of this committee. Address the chair, please, everybody.
Mr. Bruinooge has something to say.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
Rod Bruinooge Conservative Winnipeg South, MB
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm just going to speak to the amendment that's been proposed by Madam Glover. I think that since this date being suggested is after the break week, it's adequate time for the Canada Council to draft their submission and to line up the witnesses they deem appropriate. They have witnesses who I'm sure they'll want to draw from across the country, and I think that week is an appropriate week.
I know Madame Lavallée has expressed a lot of interest in having Canada Council come. This particular amendment makes no reference to any report or anything of that nature. I can't see why Madame Lavallée wouldn't support bringing Canada Council in during that week. It wouldn't interrupt any of our business.
So I think this is a good amendment, and I think it would be a good way for us to hear from such an important body, so that we can deliver that information to the artists who we're all wanting to support.
4:45 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Mr. Chair, I'm just asking for a ruling here, because this is starting to get silly. When you bring in an amendment and it gets defeated, you can't continue to bring similar amendments, or variations on the amendment.
We agreed that we will bring in Canada Council. We will work towards that, and that can be reported back to the House. We've all agreed on that. If we defeat this, and then it's like what, about April 21, April 22...?
Parliamentary procedure is very clear. We had a motion. It was voted down. We have a new motion. It's very straightforward, and we can't keep going back to the previous motion. I'd like to call the question on this. I think the amendments to the other motion are getting to the point of absurdity, and we could just deal with this, that we do want Canada Council, end of story.
4:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
I think this amendment is not necessarily exactly the same as the first or the second. So we'll vote on this amendment, and then we'll vote on the question.
Madame Lavallée, do you have a question?
4:45 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
I would simply like to respond to Mr. Bruinooge.
I repeat that I agree we should meet with the Canada Council. There is the wording and the spirit of the motion. That's why we generally ask the mover to introduce and comment on it.
When Mr. Del Mastro commented on it, he said that he wanted it to be included in the report. I thought we were hearing from the Canada Council to inquire into its activities. Since I'm used to saying what I think, I'm going to say what I really think.
Even though I really want to hear from the Canada Council officials and to learn about the programs it offers to creators and artists, I get the impression they'll be coming to conduct a public relations exercise, at the request of the minister's parliamentary secretary and perhaps that of the minister. They will be coming to show off about the programs they offer and the money they distribute to make us forget what they're not distributing. I'm quite convinced of that.
I hope I'm mistaken and that it won't be an exercise in boasting, but that we'll really shed some light on the problems artists are experiencing. For example, the Grands Ballets Canadiens needs $250,000 to do its Middle East tour. If the Canada Council can tell me from what program it will get that amount and what the deadline is, then I'll agree to hear it. However, I'm not interested in redoing our study and changing the report, for all the reasons I've just noted.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
I have just one clarification. One thing we have to realize here is that the Canada Council is a crown corporation. It's independent of the government, so we want to make sure of that.
I'm going to ask for a vote on the amendment, that being that we add “during the week of April 20” after “appear”.
(Amendment negatived)
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
So is it on the record that the Conservatives don't want the Canada Council to come and explain--
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
No, it's on the record that you don't want them to appear.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I don't want them to on April 19. I'm absolutely supportive of this motion. I would reintroduce it under my own name. Could I do that? Because I think it's an excellent motion. I'll reintroduce it under my name.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
Dean Del Mastro Conservative Peterborough, ON
The intent of the motion, as you know, Mr. Chair, was to have them come in to speak about the $13 million they have allocated and that is providing support for international promotion and touring. That's why it's important. That's why I talked to the deputy minister about it. It's not reflected in the findings that the opposition wants inserted into the report. So therefore I thought it would be important that we hear from them, but they don't want to hear from them in this respect.
Would I be interested in hearing from them some day, maybe, who knows when, whenever the opposition sees fit to fit them in? Sure, why not. But it's not the intent of the motion. They have materially changed the motion. Therefore, what is the point in bringing it?
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
Mr. Del Mastro, I don't think anyone on this side of the table doesn't want to hear Canada Council. I think everyone is committed to that. But if you have differing opinions in regard to the report that's going to go forward, there is ample opportunity for you and everyone else you work with to be able to submit a dissenting report and to comment on all of that.
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Ruby Dhalla Liberal Brampton—Springdale, ON
I think the report that's going to be brought forward is an accurate reflection and representation of what we heard from the witnesses. If there is information you want included, I'll be more than happy to read the dissenting report that you put forward.
4:50 p.m.
NDP
4:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
We'll just carry on to the next order of business. Is that what I understand?
4:55 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
Yes, it would be fair that there be proper notice.
We'll move on, then, to the second motion, from Ms. Lavallée:
As part of the study on the evolution of the television industry and further to announcements regarding CBC/SRC's budget plan, that the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage promptly invite Hubert T. Lacroix, president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, for a two-hour session on April 1, along with James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, for a two-hour session on the following Monday, April 20, and that both sessions be televised.
Ms. Lavallée, would you like to speak to your motion?