Canadian Heritage Committee on Dec. 1st, 2011

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

So who's covering it? You or Parks Canada?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Both.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

And what program in Heritage is it coming from?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

What exactly.... It's through the celebrations and commemorations.

[A voice]

In the budget there was...[Inaudible--Editor]

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

One-off funding in the budget for building the monument, but we--

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Okay, so that's a one-off with the budget--

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

--also had one-off funding in the budget for the Holocaust memorial.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

That's not part of the funding envelope--

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

No, that's specifically for the monument, but we also had funding in Ottawa for the Holocaust memorial. So that's what it falls under.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

You mentioned the positions that were cut--I think in excess of 400--within the department. You talked about slimming down bureaucracy, which provides more money to the cultural organizations, but did that money go to cultural organizations or is that just money cut, period?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Yes: if you look at the estimates that we're debating today, you'll see that support in funding contributions has gone up. I say this, and I've said this to every.... For all the organizations that have come before this committee, that have met with you, as the heritage critic, and now who have met with me, I say this to every single organization that I've met with: when we deliver our budget next year, the organization that gets hit the most is mine, my department.

We will have the biggest cut in my department, in the operation of my department, more than anybody else, in order to protect the integrity of the Canada Council, our national museums, and festivals across the country. We will lead by example. The largest reduction in spending will be in my department.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Can I get to...?

How much time do I have?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

You have a minute and a half.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

I'd love to pick up on that point, but maybe I'll get another round.

I met with university teachers--the CAUT, to be particular--and they had some concerns about Library and Archives Canada. Their concern about the fragmentation of collections resulting from decentralization is one point. They wanted to restore full acquisition and the re-establishment of special archivist positions and that sort of thing. They seem to be deeply concerned and are putting on a big campaign. I think they have some valid points about how the administration of this is working. I'm wondering if you had a comment on that.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

As you know, Library and Archives Canada is undergoing a pretty significant transformation. They want to make things as digital and as available as possible. I'm sure Daniel Caron would be more than pleased to come here and talk to you specifically about what it is they have in mind.

But I would also say as well that some of the decentralization they're doing is excellent. I'll give you an example of one project that is critical.

I think we have some media here, but that's okay.

For example, they have a warehouse in Burnaby, British Columbia. It's not accessible to the public, but as a result of the decentralization and making facilities more available across the country, Terry Fox's entire physical legacy--the van, his running shoes, his posters, everything--that was being lost and destroyed...because we have a decentralization of Library and Archives in the way in which they collect and protect our physical history, we have more capacity to reach beyond the national capital--

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

So you're saying that--

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

--to protect our physical footprint.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

So their concerns are really not valid...? Do you think they haven't looked into it enough? Do you think they are being alarmist about the decentralization issue?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

No. Those aren't the words I said, but--

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

I said them; that's why I'm asking.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

I know you're a good guy and you're not trying to put words in my mouth.

I wouldn't say that. They have legitimate concerns. But I would say, in the simplest way, that there are two sides to every story, and there are great benefits to what Library and Archives is doing right now. If you want to really dig into the details, Daniel Caron would be glad to come and chat with you about it.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

Thank you, Mr. Simms.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Oh, I'm done...?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rob Moore]

What's that?