Canadian Heritage Committee on June 7th, 2018

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

There must be a connection between the main estimates and the questions. In this case, we have gone beyond that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

Yes.

You can help me make the connection.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

You're absolutely wrong.

I'm referring to the main estimates, more specifically to page II-82, which concerns contributions to support the Canada media fund, which the government has undertaken to do instead of eight major telecommunications companies.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

I think it's unfortunate to see you this cynical, colleague. I like working with you, and I have enormous respect for the work you do. We went to Europe together. When we met with the various European stakeholders, both of us realized how complex the subject was.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Complex to the point of doing nothing for eight years?

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

Those stakeholders were far from having implemented any kind of act. They've been working on the issue for six years, whereas, in two and a half years, we've filled the coffers of the cultural organizations and launched all the major projects as a result of which, in two or three years, we'll have new laws that will last 10, 15 or 20 years.

That being said, the media fund is a very relevant issue. We want to ensure that producers have access to good funding to create good television content. Since we knew there was anxiety over the fact that there were fewer contributions from the cable companies, we wanted to fill the coffers of the Canada media fund. We reinvested $172 million. There will be as much funding in three years as there is right now because the government is ensuring that there is enough funding. In the meantime, we are proceeding with a reform of the system.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Reforming the system is a long process. It can take eight years.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

May I finish my thought?

We're helping CBC/Radio-Canada carry out its mandate.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Thank you.

You appeared before the Senate on Tuesday, and you defended your lack of action by saying that, at the present time, no country in the world has yet managed to make a change to its broadcasting system to respond to digital changes. You also said you are looking at what's happening internationally.

You know very well that's false. The French president is here, and I invite you to ask him whether he's made those changes.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

We need an independent expert.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

You have 30 seconds left.

[Mélanie Joly, Liberal, Ahuntsic-Cartierville, QC]

We don't want to spread disinformation either, Mr. Nantel.

Then I'll let my deputy minister answer the question on the broadcasting reform in other countries.

[Graham Flack, Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

Measures have been taken in other countries. As for amendments to legislation, to laws, I would say, however, that, to date, there are places where changes have been proposed, but implementation has not yet taken place.

[Pierre Nantel, NDP, Longueuil—Saint-Hubert, QC]

That's funny because, a long time ago—as far as I know—the Centre national du cinéma et de l'image, the CNC, in France, was supplied by foreign access providers. The issue regarding Netflix and other circumvention television services is pending before the European Commission. However, Internet access providers should have contributed a long time ago.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

Mr. Nantel, your seven minutes of speaking time is up. I'm sorry.

Mr. Clarke, do you have a question?

[Alupa Clarke, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I have a special request to make of all my colleagues.

We're just next door to the House of Commons, and we are extraordinarily lucky to have the minister with us. I move that we extend the meeting by 14 minutes in order to go around the table twice for seven minutes each. What do you think?

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

If we continue, it will be for two rounds, one of seven minutes and the other of five minutes.

[Alupa Clarke, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

I agree.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

Alors, I need unanimous consent to be able to continue because the bells are ringing. Do I have unanimous consent?

[Sean Casey, Liberal, Charlottetown, PE]

No.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

All right—

[Maxime Bernier, Conservative, Beauce, QC]

The minister has come to speak with us. She has lots of things to tell us.

[Alupa Clarke, Conservative, Beauport—Limoilou, QC]

She isn't disabled. She's able to respond.

[The Chair, Liberal, Julie Dabrusin]

The meeting is adjourned.