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.