Evidence of meeting #33 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 cbc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Thank you, Mr. Wallace.
Thank you, Madam Crombie. There will be more rounds of questions for you to take up.
Madame Lavallée.
4 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Thank you very much for being here and for explaining your estimates, which are not easy to understand, even when you know how to read numbers. For example, my understanding was that the department's total estimates were $1,332,832,023.
Is that correct?
4:05 p.m.
Tom Scrimger Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage, Department of Canadian Heritage
That is correct, $1.3 billion.
4:05 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
We know the department's budget covers a number of portfolios, including the arts and culture and, of course, the Canada Council for the Arts, CBC/Radio-Canada, Status of Women and sport.
Can you break down that $1.33 billion, setting aside Status of Women and sport, and tell me how much is left for arts and culture?
4:05 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage, Department of Canadian Heritage
If you give me a moment, yes.
4:05 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Yes, you can have a moment. We have six minutes left.
4:05 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
In addition, since those additional agencies, such as the Canada Council for the Arts, also receive specific appropriations from Parliament, we could break down the main estimates for Canadian Heritage and its various portfolio agencies. That would help you figure out the total amount. I think we can provide that to you.
4:05 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
I want to know how much goes to the arts and culture at Canadian Heritage. That is really what I am getting at here.
4:05 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
We can provide you with those details. If Mr. Scrimger has the information on hand, we will give it to you right away. If not, we can provide you with the list later.
4:05 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
My second question is in relation to the previous year's budget. I want to know exactly how much was allotted to the arts and culture in this year's budget, as well as the 2010-2011 budget. But what was the amount in the 2009-2010 budget?
What I am trying to do—and no doubt you could do a much better job of it than I—is figure out how much of an increase there was, if any. Could I ask you to do that?
I must tell you that I have already tried to work out that figure with people who are extremely competent and very knowledgeable about your department. But you know more of course, since it is your department. There are certain areas, grant programs, among others, that make it harder to figure out the breakdown.
4:05 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
We can make it easier for you, madam; it would be our pleasure.
4:05 p.m.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
On the whole, for a five-year period, it is almost a billion dollars over.... We can break it down for you by item. If Mr. Scrimger has the numbers in front of him, we may be able to inform the discussion on this issue.
4:05 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage, Department of Canadian Heritage
It can be hard to pinpoint certain figures among others, but I will take—
4:05 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage, Department of Canadian Heritage
I will take the question regarding the estimates we started the year with. So we are talking approximately $1.2 billion, because there was additional funding after that. For official languages, it is around $360 million. For cultural industries, it is approximately $208 million. For sport, it is $180 million, but you have to keep in mind today's additional appropriations, which would bring the total amount to about $206 million. For the arts, it is $126 million. For civic participation, we are talking around $65 million. For heritage, it is $41 million. For Canada's identity, celebrations and so forth, $80 million or so was allotted. We have approximately $87 million for internal costs. Again, we would be pleased to provide you with the details on how the estimates have changed from year to year.
4:05 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
So when you say that $41 million was allotted to heritage, what does that include?
4:05 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage, Department of Canadian Heritage
It includes a large chunk of our contributions, our programs, in terms of museums. That is included in that category.
4:05 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Where do pension payments for lieutenant governors fit in?
4:10 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage, Department of Canadian Heritage
That appears on a separate line in the estimates. It is part of our budget. If memory serves, it is under the grants budget.
4:10 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage, Department of Canadian Heritage
Yes.
4:10 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
But, according to what I see here, they are payments made under the Lieutenant Governors Superannuation Act. And you include that in arts and culture grants.
4:10 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Citizenship and Heritage, Department of Canadian Heritage
The payments are authorized under the act, but I believe the money is transferred by means of a grant.