Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Ms. Hébert, you talked about the fact that art has the effect of uniting societies. It seems to me that is obvious for people who are either involved in artistic activities or part of their audience. This summer, I intend to go to the Stratford Festival, in the riding of my colleague, who is chair of the committee. There is no doubt in my mind that art brings people together within society and that I am going to like Shakespeare's Macbeth. I will be spending a lot of money in my chair's riding and I am most happy to do so.
Art does, indeed, unite societies and produce economic spinoffs. You referred to its effect on the young people coming up behind who have invested a lot in it. As Mr. Labossière was saying, it takes as long to train a dancer or an actor, in some cases, as it does to train an engineer. These people receive training to become creators in areas of endeavour where they know for a fact that they have little chance of making money. It's really too bad for them.
You say that you will be affected by the cuts being made in this sector. Are there any other programs that could replace the ones that are being cancelled? Is there something we could do now to try and resolve the problem, before the situation turns disastrous?