Evidence of meeting #20 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 3rd session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was program.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
There was still nearly $47 million.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Did you break that amount down when you made your suggestions to the Minister?
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
That is done in the course of lengthy discussions. We discuss topics relating to the department with the Minister. As well, that was the situation in which the idea of offering additional support to the Canadian Tourism Commission came to me, to capitalize on the efforts made during the Olympic Games.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Do you understand that this makes no sense? In January 2009, you announced that $100 million would be reserved for marquee tourism events. You announced that.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Yes, but you issued a press release. I saw it with my own eyes.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
It said $100 million was being allocated for marquee tourism events. I read that press release, and nowhere did it say you were keeping $8 million for the Canadian Tourism Commission, which, as you know, is not a marquee tourism event. There has been some misappropriation of funds within the program. That is reprehensible.
In addition, you are excluding marquee tourism events. You are preventing them from getting funding supposedly because there aren't enough funds for everybody or because the Minister decided there would be two events per city. After all the applications were analyzed, the Minister said maybe it would be better for there to be two events per city, and that would mean funding could be given to people in some municipality or other.
The money was there and you misappropriated it to give it to the Canadian Tourism Commission. I am not denying that you had good intentions or that the objectives for the Canadian Tourism Commission might have been valid, but that is not the appropriate program. The Canadian Tourism Commission was not eligible under the criteria for your own funding program. That was misappropriation.
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
I would say that "misappropriation" is a bit strong.
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
We have to look at the program in a slightly broader context, in terms of supporting the tourism industry. The 2009 budget talked about the importance of the tourism industry, and from that perspective, the government was going to support it through that program. As well, an additional allocation was provided for the Canadian Tourism Commission. It's under the heading dealing with support for the tourism industry. There were two components.
The second year, the Minister decided to top up the second component a bit. That was a government decision. The government had to decide where the funds would have the most impact, and it chose this industry.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gary Schellenberger
We have to move on. You can go on the next round.
Mr. Galipeau, please.
Conservative
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Welcome, Mr. Dicerni.
I have to admit I have visited the Web site. I looked at the list of festivals that received funding last year and this year. I see that the list for this year is longer than for last year, but I note that total investment is lower—I may be mistaken. I note that last year, $43 million was granted to recipients under the MTEP, the Marquee Tourism Events Program, while this year $39 million was granted. There is also $5 million that was granted to festivals that are funded for a two-year program. That doesn't come to $100 million.
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
The big piece that is missing is the $8 million.
Conservative
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
I am going to ask my colleagues. Last year, we spent about $47 million, I believe.
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
Last year, it was about $47 million, including a number of projects funded for two years. There is about $2.5 million for administration, for the employees hired to handle this. This year, I think we spent about $39 million to support projects, plus the $8 million that was given to the Canadian Tourism Commission, which makes $47 million. There is still $2.5 million for administration.
Conservative
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Right. I'm just trying to help the people whose applications were unfortunately refused.
How many festivals were funded last year that are not this year?
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
Quite a few. I could provide the information for you later, because I don't have it.
Conservative
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
Was a commitment made last year to fund them this year?
Conservative
Royal Galipeau Conservative Ottawa—Orléans, ON
So in preparing their project, it would be imprudent for them to assume that the government commitment in one year guaranteed a commitment the next year.
Deputy Minister, Department of Industry
The concept of prudence was discussed with Mrs. Lavallée, and I think Mr. Rodriguez also addressed it. On that question, we tried to be as transparent as possible.
Conservative