Mr. Speaker, the Bloc Quebecois was amazed to learn that there is no budget for the one million flag operation launched by the heritage minister, and that it does not come under any existing official program of the department. Nonetheless, 10 telephone operators are working on this project and are taking orders from Canadians.
While the CBC's budgets are blithely being slashed, with 1,000 additional layoffs planned, while cuts to the National Film Board will result in the dismissal of some 150 creators, it is disgusting that the department has introduced a propaganda initiative without any advance idea of the cost.
Are the people of Canada and Quebec entitled to know the costs associated with the Deputy Prime Minister's propaganda? A rhetorical question, obviously.