Mr. Minister, I would like to come back to the budget cuts. I know that this is something you are working very hard on. However, you have not succeeded in convincing us; in any case you have not convinced me.
We have asked specific questions on the issue and have requested justifications, but we are told that those are confidential documents that cannot be made public.
Moreover, stakeholders have told us that the programs were functioning properly, they filled a need and assisted our artists abroad. The stakeholders have informed us that those cuts will lead to the cancellation of a number of tours. For the coming year, they are talking about having to cancel approximately 59% or 60% of tours, and as much as 90% over the next two years. Losses of revenue owing to the cancellation of those tours are estimated at approximately $24 million. Many jobs will be lost. What is at stake is the credibility of our artists, industry and country.
I would like to believe you, but you are not giving me any proof. There is nothing concrete, neither study nor analysis. We are not given access to those documents. The only thing we heard when the cuts were announced came from Conservative Party supporters who said that people were using the money to go to Cuba or to present a documentary film at a gay festival. It was said, for example, that a left-wing writer would receive money. However, as far as I know, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet does not take its orders from Castro. The Montreal Symphony Orchestra and the Grands Ballets canadiens are well established organizations. They cannot be characterized as communist followers of the Che and Fidel.
If you cannot justify those cuts, isn't it because the decision to do so was ideological and because you do not like to control part of the people who represent us abroad?