Madam Speaker, I want to point out some of the contradictions the member across does not shy away from. He claimed at one point that people have to make a living. We all agree with that. However he would discard, out of hand, without a second thought, the 6,000-plus Canadians who work in this field. He does not seem to care about that field.
We care. A government has to be responsible and take a balanced approach. The government has an incredible reputation worldwide as a trading nation. We have participated in international treaties to allow free trade. We have respected those treaties. We have been consistent in saying that cultural matters are not to be included. We protect, enhance and promote Canadian cultural industries.
There does not seem to be a problem over there with people making money except when it comes to people working in the cultural fields. There are 6,000 people working in those fields. What about the people working in the film industry, the TV industry, the book publishing industry and the music industry? They would discard them out of hand. They say that they cannot make money. They say it is okay for others to make money but not for people in the film industry, the publication field or in periodicals.
Such inconsistencies speak exactly of the attitude of this party. It cowers in front of the Americans. The Americans say boo, it sheepishly says it cannot do this.
This government is standing up for Canadian cultural industries and will continue to do so.