Evidence of meeting #67 for Canadian Heritage in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was museums.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Moore
—the point of order doesn't come out of your time. So you're all set.
NDP
Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC
It is directly related to interference. I would like to know if there was any interference. Who made the decision? Did archeologists have a say in it? That is a direct link.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
Mr. Chair, the first part of the member's question concerned the acquisition of the Empress of Ireland itself.
First, I would suggest that Mr. Philippe Beaudry, the diver, is considered to be the legal owner of the objects from the wreck according to the Receiver of Wreck in Canada. As I think you know, the site of the Empress of Ireland was not designated by the Quebec Cultural Property Act until 1999, long after Mr. Beaudry finished collecting his objects. The Government of Canada, through the Cultural Property Export Review Board decided in 2001 that the objects were too important to the national cultural heritage of the country to be exported from Canada. The problem was that they would either be sold into private collections in Canada, or some institution that had a mandate or a capacity to acquire the collection and preserve it would have to do so. Incidentally, after many years of negotiation involving and beginning with my predecessor, we were able to successfully acquire the objects for future generations.
I would also add that although it is true that the acquisition of these kinds of artifacts can be controversial, as you well know, many Canadians are extremely pleased that we've acquired this collection, including a group of Canadians in western Canada who formed the Empress of Ireland artifacts committee.
NDP
Marjolaine Boutin-Sweet NDP Hochelaga, QC
If I understood correctly, the artifacts were bought against the advice of the archeologists working at the museum. I think disciplinary measures were taken and there was a high price to pay.
On that note, I will share the rest of my time with Mr. Cash.
NDP
Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON
Thirty seconds.
How frequently and how often have you met with the minister over the last few years?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
I was thinking about that when you were talking to the minister. With respect to this particular project, I've met with the minister twice.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
I don't meet with the minister. I've met with the minister twice on this. I see the minister at events; I see him at exhibition openings.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
I don't think he said he met me once a month—
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
—I think he said he talks to me once a month, which is probably true.
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
I'm sorry.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
I'm sorry, Mr. O'Neill.
We didn't ask him to bring his datebook with him. The line of questioning is almost ridiculous. Obviously we are here on Bill C-49, and if they want to bring him back to talk to about his datebook, they can do that at a different time. Our time is limited, so let's ask him about Bill C-49, Mr. Chair. It's truly unfair to ask him what his datebook has included over the last five years that Minister Moore has been the minister.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Moore
Mr. Cash, as I said before we do want to try to stay on Bill C-49. You have actually two minutes left.
NDP
Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON
Okay. I'm trying to understand the sequence of events that led to the decision being made.
I think it's appropriate to understand how often the minister is in touch with you. How often is he in touch with you on the phone, in person, or otherwise, through e-mail? How often do you two converse?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
Mr. Chair, I see the minister at events in town, usually at exhibition openings or citizenship court hearings at the Museum of Civilization and the War Museum. I think the last time I saw the minister would have been at the opening of the Star Wars Identities exhibition at the Aviation Museum. I go to all of these events.
I do not have regular meetings with the Minister of Canadian Heritage. I met with him twice on this particular project. I do not regularly speak to the minister or meet with the minister. I certainly see him a lot because, as you know, he's a very active minister: he has his films and other nights here in Ottawa. I see him around town frequently and he's often at the national museums and other cultural institutions in Ottawa.
NDP
Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON
I am a little confused then. When he said about once a month, what was he referring to?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Museum of Civilization Corporation
Mr. Chair, you would have to recheck with the minister.
I thought I heard him say, and perhaps I'm mistaken, Mr. Cash, that he thinks he speaks to me about once a month.
I certainly don't meet with the Minister of Canadian Heritage once a month.
NDP
Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON
I'm talking about speaking. I said speaking on the phone, e-mail, or face-to-face.
Conservative