Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 29th, 2016

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

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Madam Minister, you are certainly aware of the fact that a group of Anglo-Canadian creators—including the biggest names in Canadian culture—are asking to be heard under the current process and in the consultations on copyright reform. I imagine that an association in Quebec representing the same kinds of people will make a similar request. As outlined in the very à propos question asked by my colleague Ms. Dabrusin on how to interpret exactly what Canadian content means, and what deserves to be labelled a co-production or not, and what can help a production be exported or not—all of this is at stake.

For me, it is very clear that there is no clear answer to this question, but I would like to know how you will address the fact that there are two very distinct production realities in Quebec and in the rest of the country, where export levels—I do not have the number in front of me—must be excellent. Canadian heritage, Canadian content, telling our stories, all of this is clearly stronger in Quebec. Just think of the unbelievable popularity of Quebec programs, which rank among the top 10 or top 50 best, and the fact that it is the opposite situation in the rest of the country. How do you reconcile these two new realities in the digital universe?

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

It goes without saying that the francophone and anglophone markets are studied both together and separately. The reality for each market is different, but they operate in the same ecosystem and are facing the same digital challenges.

In my view—and I say this every time I have the opportunity to do so, as I did at the six round tables we organized in Iqaluit, Vancouver, Halifax, Montreal, Toronto and Edmonton—our country is based on a social contract that has three pillars. The first pillar is the importance of our two official languages, French and English. The second pillar is the importance of multiculturalism, and I include in this pluralism, which basically means supporting and protecting the rights of minorities. The third pillar is reconciliation with first nations. In these circumstances, these three aspects of the social contract will be taken into account when we develop our future cultural policy.

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

Of course, no one is against motherhood and apple pie.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You have 15 seconds.

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

I just want to tell you that, in Montreal, many people wanted to participate in the consultations, and there was a feeling of urgency, which is certainly stronger in Quebec. Even the night before, there were people who wanted to take part in the consultations and who managed to do so.

Was it the same elsewhere in Canada?

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

Yes. There was a lot of enthusiasm in Toronto. In Iqaluit, the consultations took place at the same time as a summit on the arts. There were leaders from organizations throughout the north, from the Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, northern Quebec and Labrador. There were about a hundred people in attendance. So I was very happy. Thirty thousand people took part in our public consultations, which made them some of the most successful organized by our government.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much, Minister.

I want to thank the committee, and the minister for being open and frank with their questions, and thanks to the minister for entertaining some questions that were slightly marginal.

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

It's a pleasure.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I appreciate this.

The meeting is adjourned.