Evidence of meeting #104 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was athletes.
A video is available from Parliament.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Thank you very much.
I just want to pick up on those very important questions from my friend from the Bloc around the scope. It seems that the pool from which you're drawing is a little bit shallow. I reference the co-founder of Gymnastics Canada, Kim Shore—
12:55 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
I'm sorry, Madam Chair, but I don't hear—
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
We cannot hear you, Mr. Green. We can see you, but we cannot hear you.
Say something—anything.
12:55 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
I'm speaking right now using the appropriate headset delivered to me by the House of Commons. It's the—
1 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Okay. Thank you very much.
I want to pick up the line of questioning of my friend from the Bloc. It's on scope.
I want to reference Kim Shore, the co-founder of Gymnastics Canada, who asked why it was eight years and why it was only the national team. Kim stated that you're missing the voice of 99% of sports participants.
Why so shallow a pool?
1 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
As I mentioned, these criteria will develop with the athletes.
However, I think the minister will be very happy to hear the comments of Ms. Shore. I think we will be happy to take that on board as she moves this committee from a sports committee to the ministerial level. I'm happy to communicate those comments to the minister.
1 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Okay.
You may have heard my interventions around the ability to send for documents. You're going to be working across multiple jurisdictions. There was a conversation about the challenge within commissions and inquiries to get provincial buy-in.
How are you going to remedy that at the commission—not being able to send for documents in jurisdictions that you don't have direct control or influence over?
1 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
Thank you for the question.
The minister has already met with her colleagues in the provinces to encourage them to collaborate and participate. The terms of reference also encourage provinces to participate and collaborate with the commission. I will speak with my colleagues at the deputy minister level tomorrow. In the terms of reference, the first engagement the commission will have will be with the provinces and territories.
I have to say that, so far, the responses we got were very positive and supportive.
1 p.m.
NDP
Matthew Green NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Are you stating for the record here today that you have an agreement, in writing, from provincial counterparts that they will be in full compliance? What I've heard is “encourage them” to co-operate. For the people who are watching and expecting a full and serious process to happen, that is not reassuring.
1 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
It's not for me to have their commitment, because it's an independent commission. The commission will engage with the provinces and territories to fully collaborate—
1 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
It is in the terms of reference and—
1 p.m.
NDP
1 p.m.
Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage
Yes, the terms of reference are—
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Excuse me. I think we should let the witness finish her sentence, Mr. Green.
1 p.m.
NDP