Mr. Speaker, the member sat in on the same briefings as I did. She keeps referring to the number of cuts and so forth but she was at the presentation on these numbers and knows that what she is saying is not accurate. However, she keeps spinning a misrepresentation to artists. It is unfortunate and it may well be part of the problem.
What we need to be telling artists is how much this government and Parliament has put behind them in support. We believe in what they do and in the vibrancy and value they provide to Canada, as well as the rich flavour they add to the world as a whole when it comes to their artistic contributions.
The reallocations conducted under our strategic review affect a very small amount, as I have said. In budget 2008-09, $2.31 billion have been allocated to the Canadian heritage portfolio.