Canadian Heritage Committee on Sept. 24th, 2025

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

We anticipated that this could happen, Madam Chair. We agree that, if the chair of the CRTC cannot be here as planned on October 1, we can begin the study on artificial intelligence. Is it too short notice to invite witnesses to appear?

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

Mr. Clerk.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Jean-François Pagé]

It will depend on when I receive the names of the witnesses. Since Tuesday is a holiday, we have one day less and it may be tight.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Madam Chair, I propose that we discuss it now, or that we set aside five minutes at the end of the meeting to discuss committee business, including planned business. We also need to determine how long we will keep Wednesday's meeting open for the artificial intelligence study if Ms. Eatrides is not available.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

You're suggesting that we take five minutes at the end of this meeting to discuss it. Is that correct?

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Yes, if that's okay with everyone, so we can at least get this done. That way, we'll know what to expect.

[The Chair, Liberal, Lisa Hepfner]

Okay.

That's done.

We're ready for questions.

I have Mr. Waugh first for the Conservatives, for six minutes.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I don't think I've seen seven officials, ever. I've been on this committee for 10 years. I don't think I've seen seven officials from the department in front of me.

Does anyone know the Gem numbers?

[Isabelle Mondou, Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

We don't, and it could be a good question for the CEO. I think you have called her before this committee. Maybe that's a good question for her when she appears.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

Yes. Does the Heritage department think it's important to know?

[Isabelle Mondou]

It's hard for me to pronounce on, because it's under the Access to Information Act, and they have applied the legislation, so it will be me again, guessing the application of another act by another organization. I think asking her directly would be the best course.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

We hear of a possible 15% reduction. I say “possible” because I've been around the House for 10-plus years now, and they say one thing and do another. But 15%.... Have they looked at your budgets?

Ms. Mondou, in fact you were just in Regina. You know my interest in the RCMP museum, and the department has said, “We'll give you $12 million over the four years, to 2030.” Is that still on the table?

[Isabelle Mondou]

I had the pleasure of meeting the chair of the board. She is coming the week of October 6, I think, and we'll meet again. There was in the FES 2024 some money for the museum, not for this fiscal year but for the next fiscal year, so we have a bit of money from the FES 2024. That is for the museum, but obviously, this is something for which the bigger decisions are not made by the department. They're made by the Minister of Finance.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

Yes. I think you can appreciate the angst. They have done their budgets, and they want to be a national museum. We have so many here in the Ottawa region and maybe in Halifax, Winnipeg, and now the RCMP museum in Regina, but they would like to know if the fall economic statement from last year, which said, I'll give you in the next four years $3 million each....

What would you say if they're watching now and they're coming in October? They've had discussions around the table, and they want to know if that funding is there or not.

[Isabelle Mondou]

I will say the same thing that I said to the chair. You are absolutely right: They have done an amazing job over the last couple of years to really bring new consultation, and they have done deep work to bring that solid foundation to the museum. I will also say that, ultimately, those decisions on Monday will be up to the Minister of Finance, therefore I can hope for it, but I cannot tell you for sure.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

You're saying that what was, I think, linked as a great possibility of $12 million to 2030 isn't guaranteed any more. Is that right? Is that what I'm hearing from you?

[Isabelle Mondou]

We had a change of government between the 2024 FES and this government. It's a different government, so they obviously have to decide if they are still comfortable with the decision of the previous government.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

It's the same government, just with a different leader.

[Isabelle Mondou]

Yes, but it's still, in law, a different government.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

That's disheartening, though, if you don't mind me saying it, because when it was promised, the wheels were put into motion, and they're feeling a little angst.

I did meet with them. You were in the city. They should be on their tippy-toes right now, because there doesn't appear to be any commitment, even though the public safety minister wants 1,000 more RCMP officers seven steps away from the museum. You're not really committing any money now to the museum that I see—the $12 million. Is that true?

[Isabelle Mondou]

The organization also met with the minister and discussed exactly what you have raised, so the minister has heard them.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

The minister talked about the “Canada Strong” pass a bit when he was here, because it was a pretty good program. You provided free or discounted admission to national parks, historic sites and our museums this summer, and even some train travel. Is the government subsidizing the lost revenue for these groups that I've just mentioned?

[Isabelle Mondou]

The pass program was basically cost-neutral for the organizations that participated, and they are going to be indemnified for the costs of offering those services for free.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon South, SK]

If I go to a national park where I usually pay, and I don't pay because it was free, how are they going to even their budgets out?

[Isabelle Mondou]

My colleague would be happy to take that one.