Canadian Heritage Committee on Feb. 12th, 2026

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC]

The decision came from you. Under an agreement between the Government of Canada and a company like Google, you decided where the money would go.

That brings me back to your explanation of social cohesion. You just gave CBC/Radio-Canada $120 million, and you're absolutely allowed to do that. You promised as much during the election campaign. However, how is it that our regional media organizations are among the most disadvantaged under the agreement with Google right now?

CBC/Radio-Canada isn't being disadvantaged. CBC/Radio-Canada is entirely funded by public money. However, regional organizations are often small private businesses in need of that support. I don't understand why $7 million is going to CBC/Radio-Canada when you just gave them $120 million.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

I mean no disrespect to the honourable member. The funding is allocated according to the number of journalists. There's a cap on the amount. The reality is that CBC/Radio-Canada is entitled to that funding.

Of course, in a context where the government cannot do everything and everyone is hurting, choices have to be made. These people have reached out to you for help as well, so you know as well as I do that, yes, these local businesses want money, but they also want tax credits. Again, we are working on that.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC]

We'll be starting a study on the media in a few weeks. What we are going to hear, and what you will in turn hear, about the Canadian media landscape is pretty grim. In fact, a lot of people are approaching us leading up to the study, and the list of witnesses just keeps growing because Canada's media system is really in danger.

If I recall correctly, the studies on bills C‑11 and C‑18 indicated that they would bring in nearly $300 million, which would potentially be redistributed among Quebec's and Canada's media organizations. Do you think the two bills, which were passed, did what they promised? As far as I know, they haven't been successful.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

They haven't been as successful as expected. Many people are adjusting to the reality under bills C‑11 and C‑18. That includes the ongoing court cases. It was anticipated that they would bring in far more than $300 million. It's pretty close to a billion dollars. That's a big deal, if it does end up happening.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Côte-du-Sud—Rivière-du-Loup—Kataskomiq—Témiscouata, QC]

You're aware that the platforms are challenging a portion of the money they are being asked to provide, which means we aren't able to use money from the Canada media fund to help regional media organizations.

These giant companies have infinite resources. They can afford to drag out the court challenge or litigation for years and years to come. What do we do in the meantime? How does the government plan to support all regional media organizations, which are dying?

Again, social cohesion is fundamental. Not only is social cohesion important at the national level, but it is also important at the regional level when it comes to the presence of these media organizations in the regions. If half the regional media organizations disappear tomorrow, leaving people with just two or three sources for news and information, I don't think we could talk about national cohesion.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

I agree. We are in the process of bridging that gap, not up to $800 million, mind you.

As you certainly know, within your own party, your colleague to the right thinks that social cohesion is a synonym for some sort of government conspiracy. I don't mean Mr. Waugh; I'm referring to a different colleague. There's some inconsistency in your party when it comes to what that term means.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

We now go to Mr. Ntumba.

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you for being with us, Minister.

I got some good news earlier when I was reading La Presse, and I feel compelled to share it with you. It's important and it makes me happy. Canada ranks third in the world when it comes to countries with the highest percentage of people who trust others. We're behind Sweden and the Netherlands. The level of social trust in Canada is at 73%. No doubt, the Department of Canadian Heritage, with its large portfolio, is an important part of the Canada strong pass. What do you have to say about that?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Could you please repeat the question?

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

I wanted you to comment on Canada's current ranking as the third country in the world where most people trust others.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

I think it's great news. However, we're in an ecosystem where people have very little trust in certain institutions. There's a breakdown, especially among young people.

Yes, I do think it's important to recognize that victory, because it's a ranking of comparable countries, countries with good social cohesion, with national unity.

That is not to say that we don't have regional concerns, as Mr. Généreux pointed out, or that we are disregarding the social cohesion we must always work on to make sure that we are all united. That is especially true given the threat from our so-called friend to the south, which threatens us with all kinds of things, including a bridge. It's something we need to pay close attention to.

For young people, I think it was very important to have the Canada strong pass, to encourage people to visit museums and national parks and to inspire confidence. These are assets, national treasures—vast spaces that people can visit, but unfortunately very few do. Giving young people a little help, so they can visit a museum, such as the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, in Ottawa, or our great national parks is the right thing to do, as I see it. Obviously, I understand that we have to be mindful of how we spend public money, but I think it's a very good investment.

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Thank you, Minister.

I'm going to switch topics now.

As you know, I talk a lot about the World Cup, which is coming. A lot of people will be coming here. The eyes of the world will be on us. How is the Department of Canadian Heritage getting ready for the World Cup?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

You're very familiar with Mr. van Koeverden, because I think he's the only man to have been Canada's flag-bearer, not once, but twice. He's at the Olympics now. He's our Secretary of State for Sport and he's working on that. Technically, he falls under the Department of Canadian Heritage. He's in Milan right now, celebrating our Canadian athletes. Canada is still waiting for its first gold medal, but I'm sure it's coming.

The FIFA World Cup is really a golden opportunity to promote Canada on the world stage, from the diversity of our Canadian team, which is made up of many immigrants, new Canadians, to the fact that we are hosting the event and will have the opportunity to raise Canada's profile around the world by putting on a number of games. I have to say, though, that the tickets are very expensive, unfortunately. I saw the ticket prices the other day, and not everyone can afford them, unfortunately. Nevertheless, I think the event is a golden opportunity to really help Canada shine on the world stage.

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Yes, absolutely.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

I almost forgot an important detail. Our department alone has invested $220 million, but other departments are very involved as well.

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Thank you, Minister.

In my riding, Mont‑Saint‑Bruno—L'Acadie, we have a number of cultural, community and sports organizations that play an important role in local communities. What steps is your department taking to make it easier to access programs, reduce red tape, and help small and medium-sized businesses take full advantage of the support your department provides?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

That is an ongoing concern, to be sure, and I look forward to visiting your riding again.

Given that we're a department that tends to provide smaller amounts to small organizations, you raise a very important point. You're right that they don't necessarily have the administrative staff they need to apply for funding. They work part time. Consequently, those accustomed to the process are usually the ones that get the funding, and that's not fair. That's true for the entire country, but especially in small regions.

A lot of organizations in Montreal, for instance, receive funding, and I'm glad, but they are able to fill out funding applications because they have more capacity. That is something we are constantly looking at to ensure that funding is spread out equitably across the country. Thank you for bringing it up.

[Bienvenu-Olivier Ntumba, Liberal, Mont-Saint-Bruno—L’Acadie, QC]

Thank you, Minister.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

I know this is when you're supposed to leave us, but since we lost a few minutes because of technical issues, would you be able to stay a few minutes more?

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

You know, that's the worst thing you can ask a minister.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

We'll ask the department officials.

[Marc Miller, Liberal, Ville-Marie—Le Sud-Ouest—Île-des-Soeurs, QC]

Four minutes is fine.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

Okay.

Mr. Diotte, you have the floor for five minutes.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

All right.