Official Languages Committee on March 24th, 2009

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Is follow-up action being taken? That is not what I have been hearing, Mr. Minister. Apparently, some organizations have sent specific requests to your office, but absolutely nothing was done. I am thinking of people from Alberta who are requesting assistance but are turned away at the minister's door. I would ask you to look into that, Mr. Minister.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Honestly, you're not in a position to tell me what my schedule is and with whom I hold meetings. It's not true that the requests go unanswered. I've had several meetings with several organizations and I'm going to continue to do so. I can assure you that I'm meeting my responsibilities.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much, Mr. Nadeau.

We'll now turn to Mr. Godin.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to thank the minister for being here this morning.

You are different from your predecessor who did not want to appear before this committee. The issues affecting Canada's minorities are hugely important. And that's why I was disappointed to hear that this appearance would only last an hour. We weren't given any forewarning of this.

I would suggest that the minister be invited to come back.

As far as the court challenges are concerned, the folks from the Association canadienne-française de l’Alberta asked to be present in court, but this request was denied. You're saying that there are no new participants. I don't know their names—and perhaps you can check this with your experts or researchers—but there are groups which were accepted at a later stage. Let's take the FCFA, for example. As part of the agreement on the new court challenges, I mean the new program, when a case ends, others could be added on. We didn't get the sense that we had to stick 100% to what was there, that half a court would be appointed rather than a complete court.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

In 2006, our government made an unambiguous decision to put an end to the Court Challenges Program. We did indicate that parties would continue to receive funding for existing cases, but that that would not be the case for new parties.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

It is clear that in 2006 the Court Challenges Program was wrapped up, but that in 2008, according to the FCFA, a new agreement was reached in order to complete the cases that started under the old program. I wanted you to know that.

Mr. Moore, you spoke of your mother who was a French teacher, and I trust that was the case. But actually, I don't know if I should have confidence; you're the one who's going to show us whether we can have confidence in your new department, in your responsibilities and so on. The fact is that you learned French. But how can you accept that under your government we may lose from 600 to 1,200 jobs at Société Radio-Canada and CBC? And yet, you say your government supports minorities and the francophonie. You're going to get rid of the cameraman or the producer at Caraquet? Who's going to lose his job at Radio-Canada? The janitor? What are the 600 jobs? Is it going to affect Radio-Canada in Montreal or every community throughout the country? In some communities, the person holding the video camera is also the one asking the questions. If you get rid of that job, the whole office disappears. Which positions are going to be done away with in Manitoba, in Saint-Boniface? We're talking about public television and radio which are important for our country's unity, and yet the first thing we hear is that there are going to be cutbacks. You're talking about $1.1 billion, which is an unprecedented amount. I can't understand how the government can talk about an unprecedented level of investment when we're going to lose 600 to 1,200 jobs.

Explain these figures to me because I don't understand them.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

That is because one-third of the CBC's funding comes from advertising. As you know, broadcasters are currently having great difficulty selling ads. This is the case for both the CBC and private broadcasters.

However, I have had several meetings with president Hubert Lacroix. He assured me that he is absolutely confident that the services Canadians expect of the CBC, in your riding in New Brunswick and in all regions, will continue to be offered.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chairman, this is not what we have heard. There is concern at Radio-Canada and at the CBC. How can Mr. Lacroix guarantee you that? I would like him to appear here in order to guarantee to all Canadians that there will be no problem. This is not what we are hearing. There is a problem. If certain private sector Canadian companies are in difficulty, like GM, Ford and Chrysler, the government says it will come to their assistance. One-third of the CBC's budget comes from the private sector, and the government says that it is not responsible for those problems. Really!

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

We will continue to work with the CBC—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Working with them is not enough. The CBC needs money.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

Do you want an answer or do you just want to ask a question?

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

You say that you are going to work with them. What do you intend to do?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

We will work together to ensure that the unprecedented subsidies provided by our government will be maintained and that the CBC has the support of our government. Mr. Godin, let's be clear. The 2004-2005 budget increased the CBC's funding. The NDP voted against it. The 2005-2006 budget increased the CBC's funding, and the NDP once again voted against it. The 2006-2007 budget—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chairman, let us be clear.

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

—increased the CBC's budget, and the NDP voted against it. The 2007-2008 budget increased the CBC's funding—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chairman—

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

—and the NDP voted against it.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Mr. Chairman, let me be clear. Are we living in a democracy or are we doing everything that Stephen Harper wants?

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Mr. Godin, we must have some order please. I would ask you to allow the other members of the committee to do their work. As you said, our time is precious.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

That is why—

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

I will now ask Ms. Glover to carry on.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to welcome everyone. As a new member of Parliament, it is an honour for me to speak to you all. Mr. Minister, you have just spoken about the increases. As a new member, I am very proud to see the amounts of money that have been invested.

Is it true that your Roadmap is the most ambitious commitment in the history of our country, of our government?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

I will try to answer that very difficult question. It is important, as you know, because you are the member for Saint-Boniface and approximately one quarter of your constituents are francophones. If I may, I would like to point out the details of the Roadmap and the existing investments. It really is without precedent.

There is an increase of 20% over five years in the budget for official language communities across Canada. I am emphasizing the key investments, in my opinion.

In the case of the Canada Public Service Agency, this is very important—I know that Mr. Nadeau of the Bloc Québécois shared his concerns in this regard—$17 million had been allocated to its centre of excellence. As for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, we intend to invest $16.2 million in two programs, the economic development initiative, and francophone immigration support for New Brunswick.

We will invest $20 million in Citizenship and Immigration Canada. We have contributed $2 million for a development initiative to the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the regions of Quebec.

Justice Canada will receive $93 million for the Implementation Fund of the Contraventions Act, for access to justice in both official languages and for the accountability and coordination framework.

Heritage Canada will receive $611 million in investments. As regards Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, there are $94 million for the Enabling Fund for Official Language Minority Communities, for the child care pilot project, for literacy and to enhance the means that NGOs have for early childhood development. One hundred and seventy-four million has been earmarked for Health Canada. These are key investments in the various areas of responsibility of the Canadian government. I believe that Canadians will see the true benefits of these investments.

[Shelly Glover, Conservative, Saint Boniface, MB]

I agree with you, Minister. I am pleased to celebrate our achievements. I just wanted to talk a bit about the Olympics. We await them with great enthusiasm.

For those who wish to watch the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games in French, on television, what steps has our government taken to ensure that our linguistic duality and francophone heritage will be reflected in all aspects of the Olympic Games?

[James Moore, Conservative, Port Moody—Westwood—Port Coquitlam, BC]

The people of Quebec and those outside have raised several concerns on the subject of the broadcasting of the 2010 Olympic Games. It is very important that all Canadians see the games, celebrate them and have the feeling that they are Canada's games. I often say to my colleagues from the Bloc and to those who come from Quebec that two thirds of the athletes will come from that province and that three quarters of them will be francophones. Their families in the regions should be able to see and celebrate the games. Those responsible for programming from CTVglobemedia, TQS, RDS and from RIS made several presentation to us. I believe that the deputy minister could provide you with more detail.