Canadian Heritage Committee on March 21st, 2011

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I'm not talking specifically about today, but generally speaking, I'd like to understand.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

The rules are clear in Marleau and Montpetit and in O'Brien and Bosc. Members of this committee have the right to use their time either to pose questions to witnesses or to simply make an intervention, a statement, not affording the witness a chance to respond. So if Mr. Del Mastro wants to use his time in such a manner, that's his right as a member of this committee. I just want to make sure that we're all clear on that. You are members of this committee.

[Royal Galipeau, Conservative, Ottawa—Orléans, ON]

Five minutes must be up by now.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

No, it's not, because I want to be clear about the rules. The rules—

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I just want to understand. I was chair before, and whenever a witness didn't have a chance to answer, I would give him the chance, whoever was asking the question, a Liberal—

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes, but Mr. Del Mastro clearly wants to use his time in a certain way, so I'm going to afford him that right. The chair will try to give Mr. Morrison a chance to respond, but if Mr. Del Mastro wishes to use his entire time—

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

It's very weird.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

—to make a statement, that's his prerogative. It is the member's prerogative to use their time in the manner they choose.

Mr. Del Mastro, you have the floor.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I did not cut the witness off when he had his time to make his statement. That's his time, uninterrupted, to make whatever statement he likes. I did ask him a direct question, which is why he removes the first sentence off that says, “This is not government policy”.

Obviously he doesn't want to say that, because he wrote a six-page diatribe, which he went out and fundraised from. Apparently, for as little as $3 a month, he's going to save the CBC. He's going to save the CBC with $3 a month. So I thought, “Wow, this is interesting. I'm going to write to the CBC and find out how this $3 a month is saving the CBC.”

So I received this letter back from Shaun Poulter, the senior director of government relations, and he wrote:

...there is no relationship. Ian Morrison and “Friends of Canadian Broadcasting” are in no way related to CBC/Radio Canada, nor does the public broadcaster cooperate in any way with the group. In fact, much of the “Friends” activities consist of letters and statements criticizing CBC/Radio-Canada and its activities.

“Friends of Canadian Broadcasting” uses mass mailings and other activities to generate contributions from Canadians. None of that money benefits CBC/Radio-Canada nor contributes to the Canadian programming services we provide. I do not know what Ian Morrison might mean by his claim that the funds he solicits “are directed to 'assisting' the CBC”.

I'll repeat:

I do not know what Ian Morrison might mean by his claim that the funds he solicits “are directed to 'assisting' the CBC”. As you know, CBC/Radio-Canada receives vital support from Canadians through its Parliamentary Appropriation; it does not accept direct payment from citizens to fund its activities.

Over the years, a number of Canadians have contacted us, confused about the possible linkage between the two organizations. CBC/Radio-Canada has written to Ian Morrison several times; we have asked him to clearly state on his website and fundraising literature that there is no linkage between his organization, its fundraising activities, and CBC/Radio-Canada.

But you haven't done that. This doesn't say that you're in no way affiliated with them. In fact, sir, what you say is, for as little as $3 a month, you're going to save the CBC. You're a fraud, sir. How would you respond to that?

[Ian Morrison]

Could I borrow the letter for a minute?

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

On a point of order, calling someone a fraud is unacceptable behaviour. I understand Mr. Del Mastro is feeling a little under pressure because they were his comments, but that's not acceptable talk. We treat each other with respect on this committee. I've always treated Mr. Del Mastro with respect. I think he should withdraw that comment and apologize.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Angus.

I would ask members and witnesses who appear in front of this committee to use some restraint. Members are free to express themselves here. We are protected by the same privilege that we're afforded in the House, but I would ask that you use that right with some restraint.

Go ahead, Mr. Morrison.

I believe Mr. Del Mastro has given you the floor, through me, to answer the question.

[Ian Morrison]

I asked him to give me a copy of my letter, but he gave me the CBC letter.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Yes, but I think he has asked you a question, though.

[Ian Morrison]

I need the letter to answer the question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Del Mastro.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

You need a copy of your own letter?

[Ian Morrison]

Yes, I do.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Morrison, would you care to answer the question? If not, I'll give the floor back to Mr. Del Mastro.

[Ian Morrison]

I'm just going to read something from my letter. It takes about 40 seconds, Mr. Chair.

FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting is an independent, Canada-wide, non-partisan watchdog group...[and it] is not affiliated with any broadcaster or political party.

I think that's the answer to what Mr. Del Mastro said, and I thank him for letting me borrow my letter.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you.

Mr. Del Mastro.

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

Actually, it's not what I was asking, sir. I specifically said you misrepresent yourself and mislead yourself to Canadians. You're telling them that for $3 a month you're going to save the CBC. The CBC isn't under attack.

You made another statement in which, to begin with, you said that since 2006, we haven't kept up with the rate of inflation with respect to increases in funding to the CBC. When we became government, the funding was $996 million. Last year it was $1.135 billion. I'm a finance major. I just plug that in using an annual inflation rate of 2%, which we've been less than--

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Just one moment, Mr. Del Mastro--

[Dean Del Mastro, Conservative, Peterborough, ON]

--and it demonstrates that we're a little bit more than $40 million above inflationary increases.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Del Mastro, we have a point of order.

Go ahead, Madame Folco.