Evidence of meeting #152 for Canadian Heritage in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was media.

A video is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

I am getting there.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Get there faster.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

If you allow me, I will speak. It is my right and it is my speaking time.

My question is: what is the government trying to hide? It talks about the importance of transparency. In the budget, it allocates $600 million for the media, during an election year. I'm sorry, Mr. Boissonnault, but the discussion we are having is entirely relevant.

My colleague, Mr. Shields said that the media in our regions would not see a dime of this money. The francophone media—

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Randy Boissonnault Liberal Edmonton Centre, AB

I believe he is off topic again.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

The president of the Association de la presse francophone, Mr. Sonier, said that the payroll tax will not even benefit the businesses in my riding.

Mr. Boissonnault, there are regional media in my riding and I want them to benefit from the measures the government is putting in place. The government says it wants to help the media, but it is missing the mark. However, this is happening in an election year, at a time when the government is embroiled in scandals.

Minister, is this an awkward attempt at getting out of a negative news cycle?

May I ask that question, Madam Chair?

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

You did ask it.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

Thank you very much.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

Mr. Blaney, I think that the media plays a fundamental role. The media played an important role when they talked about the measures taken by your government at the time. I am talking about the cuts to Radio-Canada, getting rid of the PromArt and Routes commerciales programs, cuts to the arts and music sector. The media shed light on the fact that—

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

Mr. Rodriguez, journalists—

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

I cannot answer that.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Mr. Blaney, I have to allow Mr. Rodriguez to respond.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

Please be brief, minister, because I have another question for you.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

Of course. I am always brief, Mr. Blaney.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

Of course, minister.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

I always look forward to your questions.

When the media shed light on all your cuts—

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

Minister, I would like to take advantage of the fact that you are before me today to ask you how much your government has invested in Facebook. Taxpayers have the right to know how much the Canadian government invested in Facebook over the past year.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

I very rarely do this, but, Mr. Blaney—

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

May I get the answer, Madam Chair? We are talking about the budget. I want to know how much the Canadian government invested in Facebook over the past year. That is money that is not going to our regional media. Could I get that answer, please?

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

The main problem is that you are talking at the same time as the minister. That interferes with interpretation and prevents us from hearing the answer. There can be only one person speaking at a time. I did not hear the response and it is a bit complicated for me. I heard the other question, but we have to wait for the answer. Then we may continue.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

You're right, Madam Chair. The questions are incomprehensible.

Mr. Blaney, I reject your premise. You say that we do not support regional media. However, the regional media in your riding and in other ridings will benefit from the various programs we are offering, including the $50-million investment and another $600 million in tax credits, not to mention the Canada Periodical Fund. I am sure that the media in your region benefits and I hope they will continue to benefit from these programs even more in the future. These programs are there for them.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

How much has the government invested in Facebook over the past year?

April 9th, 2019 / 5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

I invite you to ask Facebook or Public Services and Procurement Canada that question.

5:20 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

If you don't have the answer on hand, minister, you could get it to us later today or in a few days from now.

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Julie Dabrusin

Can you explain the purpose of your question, Mr. Blaney?

5:20 p.m.

Liberal

Pablo Rodriguez Liberal Honoré-Mercier, QC

This question should be directed to Public Services and Procurement Canada. My department doesn't buy advertising.