Mr. Speaker, the hon. member is absolutely right, it is difficult to gauge or evaluate what is culture. It is fairly nebulous in some ways and it evolves over time. I know he argues that we should not even be trying to regulate culture, yet there are members within his party who feel we should remove Lolita from the parliamentary library based on some definition of what is culture. I would point to an inconsistency in that regard.
The issue of culture and the issue of what is unique to Canada, what is unique to Nova Scotia or Alberta, the distinctive elements of both our regions and our country, are clearly within the realm of Bill C-55 to protect, to ensure that there is an ability for Canadians to produce Canadian-originated stories about Canada and about the issues that are relevant to Canadians, and that there are vehicles to ensure that those stories and publications actually reach other Canadians. That is the issue.
When U.S. commercial interests are given unimpeded access to the Canadian magazine industry, the possibility for dumping magazines becomes immense. We have an 18% limit, which is a huge shift in policy. Actually, it becomes a trade issue because U.S. magazines have already covered their fixed costs.
I know that the hon. member's party has some real difficulties with the CBC. It is the same argument. However, there is a role for the CBC to deliver the stories and cover the issues that are relevant to Canadians. If we are to continue to be a knowledgeable society, a people respected globally for our global vision, a citizenry that fully supports the role that we play as Canadians as a middle power in an increasingly complicated world, we need to maintain and protect the Canadian identity. This is not, as some would argue, an anti-American view. Let us face it, we sit next to a cultural juggernaut, the U.S., and we are in a very difficult position.
The U.S. has one of the largest cultural industries in the world, particularly pop culture. We have to be very careful to ensure that the Canadian identity is not swamped as we progress into the 21st century.