Canadian Heritage Committee on Sept. 28th, 2023

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I call this meeting to order. It's in public.

We're discussing Bill S-202. The witnesses present on the bill are the two sponsors of the bill. From the House of Commons, it's MP John Aldag. From the Senate, it's the former senator the Honourable Patricia Bovey.

I would like us to start the meeting on time so we have a chance to ask questions. Otherwise, we'll be cutting it really fine.

As per usual, the witnesses are going to have 10 minutes to present and then we'll open it up to questions.

You may begin, Mr. Aldag. Welcome to the committee.

[John Aldag, Member of Parliament, As an Individual]

Thank you, Madam Chair and colleagues. I appreciate the opportunity to be here today to present Bill S-202.

Bill S-202 is an act to amend the Parliament of Canada Act to create the position of parliamentary visual artist laureate. The parliamentary visual artist laureate position would be an officer of the Library of Parliament, like that of the current parliamentary poet laureate position. The selection process for this role would consist of the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons acting together to select three artists to reflect Canada's diversity. A committee chaired by the parliamentary library and composed of the director of the National Gallery of Canada, the Commissioner of Official Languages of Canada, the chairperson of the Canada Council for the Arts and the president of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts—or their designates—would select one artist for the role.

The mandate for this laureate position is to promote the arts in Canada through Parliament, including by fostering knowledge, enjoyment, awareness and development of the arts. In carrying out the mandate, the laureate may “produce or cause to be produced artistic creations, at the request of either Speaker, especially for use in Parliament on occasions of state”. They may also sponsor artistic events such as art exhibitions. The laureate can also advise the parliamentary librarian regarding the library's collection and acquisitions to enrich its cultural holdings.

As for the tenure of office, the parliamentary visual artist laureate would hold office for a term not exceeding two years, at the pleasure of the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Commons acting together.

This bill defines “arts” as “drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts, photography, videography and filmmaking”. Canadian artists' contributions to our society and national identity cannot be understated. Art comes in all forms, and this legislation's definition of art broadly encompasses what the artist laureate will focus on.

As we struggled through COVID, many of us turned to the arts to cope with the loneliness, fear and anxiety that came with the pandemic. The arts provided a respite during this time and continue to do so. We should remember that Canada's arts community suffered these same symptoms but continued to produce their works for all of us to enjoy.

We should also keep in mind that the economic downturn affected our cultural community drastically. The arts are resurgent and have been recovering slowly but surely.

Canada needs a strong and vibrant arts sector. Part of the power of the arts is its way of breaking down barriers between people. Canada is a multicultural country, and art provides a creative outlet to help us understand each other. Artistic expression can be understood without using words, which allows us to learn and understand stories and perspectives across linguistic barriers.

The creation of a parliamentary artist laureate builds on the government's support for the arts since 2015. The parliamentary visual artist laureate would complement these commitments by creating an opportunity to celebrate Canadian visual arts and artists, and project a global image of open-mindedness, creativity and innovation.

Canadian artists from across the country—whether lifelong Canadians, immigrants, indigenous people or others—will benefit from having a parliamentary artist laureate in Ottawa. The appreciation of the arts unites us, and, in a multicultural country such as Canada, we should promote our many different art forms at every opportunity.

In summary, supporting Bill S-202 recognizes the importance of visual arts to the Canadian creative economy. It supports diverse artistic expression by Canadian artists and raises the profile of Canadian visual arts in Canada and abroad.

I look forward to the discussion we will have here today. I hope that Bill S-202 will receive support from each of the members of the committee, as well as the parties represented in the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage. I'd like to see it get back to the House so we can continue on with this.

Thank you for your time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you. That was excellent, Mr. Aldag.

You took only three minutes and 44 seconds out of 10 minutes. That's great.

[John Aldag]

It's not my first time.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Right.

Now, I don't know if Senator Bovey is on. She isn't. Senator Bovey, who should present to us, is on the phone with IT. Apparently there are some glitches in getting her on board.

Let's go to questions. We'll begin with Mrs. Thomas. We're going to a six-minute round.

Mrs. Thomas, go ahead for six minutes, please.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you, Chair.

Thank you, Mr. Aldag, for coming and presenting on this bill. I understand it originated in the Senate, and it's gone through quite the journey to finally get to this place. You stand, of course, as the House of Commons' sponsor for the bill, so we're pleased to have the opportunity to chat with you about it here today and then, of course, to see it moved forward.

Before asking any questions in public, I want to give notice of tabling a motion. The motion that I am bringing forward for the committee's consideration reads:

That the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage reaffirm its commitment to freedom of speech and denounce the decision by the Peel Regional Schoolboard Libraries to remove thousands of books published before the year 2008 and deemed by the school board to be culturally irrelevant; and call for all removed books to be immediately returned to school libraries.

The reason I am tabling this motion is that there have been many students, many parents and many community members, as well as teachers, who have spoken out with great concern regarding this.

The thing that is of concern is not that some books are being taken off the shelf and there's this replenishment process. That is normal. In this case, though, what the school board has described as its criteria is of great concern, because one of its criteria is whether or not these books are “culturally relevant” or whether or not there is “misinformation” or “misleading” information in these books.

This poses great questions with regard to freedom of speech and freedom of expression. Who gets to be the czar of truth? Who gets to determine what is culturally relevant? It's rather rich, actually, for this school division to think that it can make that Trumpian decision.

Interestingly enough, there was a Japanese student who was willing to be interviewed by the media concerning this. She raised some really good concerns. As a Japanese student, she was curious as to whether or not books having to do with Japanese internment camps would still be preserved, or if those would be removed from the shelf. She wasn't able to find any. For her, that's culturally relevant, but to the Caucasian man who decided to take those books off the shelf, maybe it wasn't relevant.

Who gets to be the czar of what's relevant and what's not? Who gets to determine what is true and what is not?

There is great purpose in protecting freedom of speech and allowing divergent viewpoints to be expressed. The way we do that is by allowing a multitude of books to remain on the shelf and allowing robust debate. That's to say that, yes, there will be conflicting ideas expressed, but that's what allows society to progress. That's what allows one idea to rise against another and new innovation to transpire.

I would ask this committee to consider this motion I am tabling today and to stand together, united in our advocacy for freedom of speech.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

To clarify, Mrs. Thomas, are you suggesting that we do something about this, or just make a statement as a result of it?

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you.

I think as the heritage committee at the federal level, we have an opportunity to make a statement with regard to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and the fact that it is the supreme law of the land, and this school board should heed that law.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

You're giving us notice. When will you bring this forward? Will it be at the next meeting on Thursday?

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I'm sorry. I'm only permitted to give notice of this today—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes, you are.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

—so I will move it at a later date.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much. Good.

Are there any questions for Mr. Aldag?

Go ahead, Mr. Waugh.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, MP Aldag and the former senator, for bringing this out.

I spoke to Bill S-202 in the House of Commons a while back. First of all, I want to state that I think we all agree here that we support arts and culture in this country and the diversity around it. I was glad you mentioned, Mr. Aldag, that art comes in all forms. It's changed quite a bit in this country. Since COVID, it's digital and everything's changed.

Are you open to some of the amendments coming forward for this bill?

[John Aldag]

This is the Canadian heritage committee. I think that each of you have excellent perspectives to bring to it, so yes, we are open to amendments.

This bill has been before the House three times. It's been through the Senate three times. There has been lots of discussion on it.

It was first put forward by Senator Moore in the 42nd Parliament. Then, former Senator Bovey, who has extensive—decades—of experience in the art history field and has worked at many museums, took the bill and brought it forward. She thought the elements that were put forward were reflective of the visual arts and how they're defined.

I would say that, yes, we are open to other art forms being included. That would strengthen the role of this position and strengthen the role for providing a profile to the Canadian arts community and Canadian artists.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Mr. Aldag.

That puts an end to the six minutes of questions from the Conservatives.

We now have former Senator Bovey on the line.

Senator, you have 10 minutes or less to present. John took three minutes. We're not pushing you on anything here, but go ahead and begin, please.

[Patricia Bovey, Former Senator, As an Individual]

Madam Chair and members of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, I want to thank you for the invitation to speak to you today regarding my senate bill, Bill S-202, the parliamentary visual artist laureate.

I also thank MP John Aldag for sponsoring this bill in the House of Commons and for his articulate summation of the bill, the role of the proposed visual artist laureate and the means for the selection of this two-year position. I won't repeat what he said, but I would like to underline its importance.

In 2016, in introducing the visual artist laureate bill for the first time, Senator Wilfred Moore spoke of the very real boost this position would give to the arts in Canada. He underlined the significant role of the arts and their truly positive economic impact in Canada. I can add that the life-saving role the arts had for many Canadians during COVID-19 was truly vital.

In supporting the bill, Senator McIntyre noted the ability of the visual arts “to shape the spirit of our society and great nation...[it being] a portrait depicting our lives and history; a powerful way to bring communities from coast to coast to coast together and create a shared vision of ideals, values and hopes for the future.”

Senator Ataullahjan talked of the situation in Afghanistan and the burying of the rabab as a significant act. She said, “The strings of the rabab pull at the heartstrings of everyone for that region. For me, it signifies the burying of the heart and the soul of Afghanistan.”

Honourable members, the visuals arts are powerful, meaningful and one of the three international languages—the other two being music and movement. They connect people of all languages, cultures, ages and geographies.

In today's Canada, the visual artist laureate on the Hill will bring the public perspective of Parliament, the importance of our democracy today, and the issues and work of parliamentarians to the fore for every Canadian in ways that will communicate to all—to lifelong and new Canadians, immigrants and refugees—regardless of their mother tongue.

The visual arts are a powerful way to tell our stories and to show our diversities and how we work together.

Indigenous artist, Christi Belcourt, who was the Ontario Arts Council's artist laureate in 2014, did compelling work. Indeed, her window in our Parliament Buildings talks about the issues of residential schools and reconciliation.

Many artists across this country have given their insights on many societal needs, like residential schools, substance abuse and housing. In this position, the visual artist laureate will assist in conveying your work on all issues and will also reach beyond the Hill.

Art is a lever for change, and it has often been seen as the most powerful tool we have to bring about social change. As we address issues of poverty, racial discrimination, crime prevention, health, and so much more, we need this tool more than ever.

That role was recognized by the 1999 report of this committee, “A Sense of Place, a Sense of Being.” It noted:

The role of artists is not only to mirror the values of the society in which they live, but also to reflect on the issues that society must address if it is to know itself better.

I hope you agree this bill acts on that reality.

The visual arts also have the power to teach and inspire. I believe the visual artist laureate will be a bridge to our youth regarding the role of democracy, the workings of Parliament and your commitments, and will assist in addressing the gap in knowledge about civics. It would be a connector across this country and across generations, and open doors to bring us together at a time when that has never been needed more.

Art, as a mirror of society, is not a lie, an exaggeration or a fleeting, impermanent digital commentary. It is permanent, good and an important part of our heritage and ongoing history, portraying honestly what we are and what we are thinking.

In these difficult times, artists are paying attention. Artists from all disciplines have told me about the importance of this legislation. Its adoption would constitute a vote of moral confidence and recognition for them and for Parliament itself. As you know, I consulted with over 600 artists.

In closing, I want to thank members of all parties in the House of Commons, and all groups in the Senate of Canada, for their support of this bill in its earlier times—times that were truncated by prorogation and elections. I want to thank you, and I hope this bill will have your support now.

Thank you most sincerely.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much, Senator Bovey.

We're going to move now to the question and answer section. We've already had the Conservatives for a six-minute round. We're going to go to the Liberals and Lisa Hepfner for six minutes.

Please begin, Lisa.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you, Senator Emeritus.

Thank you, MP Aldag, for being here to explain this bill to us today.

John, I want to hear from you personally on why you decided to take on this project and support this legislation. What does it mean to you?

[John Aldag]

Thank you.

First of all, I have to say that I have the highest respect for our colleague from the Senate, former Senator Bovey. I've known her, and of her, for decades, having been involved in the arts community myself. I followed this bill through its progression through the House a couple of times, and then was actually able to pick it up. Mr. Shields was the original sponsor for the House and he kindly allowed to have it passed to me to finish off.

Mr. Shields, I thank you for that.

It was very personal—being able to work with Senator Bovey on this, and knowing that my colleague from the 42nd Parliament, whom I highly respect, also had an interest in this. It would seem to be a very good fit.

During my time out from this place from 2019 to 2021, I worked as the cultural services manager for the Township of Langley and was able to work very closely with the arts community. Again, we were in COVID, and I was able to see how important the arts are to society.

In order to pick this bill up for its fourth attempt to come through the House, I'm determined to work with members and get this done. I think it's a very good bill. I thank the senator and her predecessor Senator Moore for having originated this idea and concept.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

You spoke a bit about what this would look like in Parliament. You mentioned, I think, state visits and expanding our cultural holdings.

Could you get into a bit more detail about what people might see in Parliament with this position?

[John Aldag]

Not being an artist directly, I think there is a world of opportunity for the person to curate exhibitions or commission pieces of work. I don't know whether any of you have had the chance to visit the restoration in Centre Block that's happening, but I was part of a tour recently. When Centre Block was constructed, blocks were left for future art to be added. I could see this position playing a role in helping to determine, through a consultative and collaborative process, what those pieces of art in Centre Block would look like when we move back.

I also think there's perhaps some opportunity to showcase artists and the great work they do here in West Block—our temporary home, as we call it, until we're able to move back to Centre Block. I think there's a lot of opportunity for exhibitions, but it's also about the conversations and showcasing the best of Canada.

I'd love it if you would allow Senator Bovey to also speak to this, because this is her field and I love her vision for what this could accomplish.

[Lisa Hepfner, Liberal, Hamilton Mountain, ON]

Please, Senator, and I would also like to hear, while you're at it, how this would impact art communities across Canada, not just here in Parliament.

[Patricia Bovey]

Thank you, Ms. Hepfner.

Thank you, Mr. Aldag.

This is a really important opportunity for Parliament to showcase the discussions that are being had, the societal issues that are being discussed, using that international language of visual art to engage Canadians, immigrants and refugees with the important work that goes on in Parliament. Having been both in the arts and on Parliament Hill, and chaired boards nationally and regionally, I can tell you that this language really does reach people that everyday words don't. That's one thing.

In terms of the support across the country it's huge. I was really thrilled, as I was consulting with artists across the country on a variety of things, and with arts organizations, and I've met with kids from high school right onto nonagenarians who have worked in all arts disciplines, all kinds of arts organizations, that every single discipline told me that the passage of this bill would be a very positive voice of support for the arts across the country. I've had musicians tell me this. I've had playwrights tells me this. They all understand the power of the visual word.

Madam member, I hope you feel that not only will this be a voice for what goes on on Parliament Hill but it will engage Canadians. It will encourage exhibitions elsewhere. I hope there will be some on Parliament Hill as Mr. Aldag has said. It gives the opportunity for commissioned works to be given to special visitors and heads of state as they come. There's nothing more valuable in terms of a relationship than sharing of one's soul and the art and soul of this country. The arts express the soul of this country.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Ms. Hepfner.

I will now go to the Bloc Québécois, with Martin Champoux for six minutes.