The Prime Minister was elected less than 18 months ago.
Mr. Speaker, if we take a look at the issue we have before us today, even if we factor in the CRTC, we need to recognize what the government is saying. The government is not saying we are going to let global streaming services have whatever they want and go rogue in Canada, far from it. The Prime Minister has been very clear on the issue. When it comes to global streaming services, they will contribute to our cultural sector. That is not at issue. The issue is how we best do that. That means it might take some time, as we work with what other international partners are doing on the issue and see how we can evolve a plan that is going to be effective and is going to ensure that we get that money directly to our culture community.
At the same time, we are investing $600 million to provide support. It is an interim measure, because the long-term goal is to get that plan, and I believe we will get it. We have a budget coming up on November 5, and whether that measure is incorporated into the budget or not, I have absolute faith, based not just on wishful thinking but on the reality of things that have taken place since the last federal election, that it will provide the cultural industry a sense of comfort that the Government of Canada is not going to ignore that industry.
I said in a question that the $600 million would be over and above the other half a billion dollars that was budgeted for in the last federal budget, the first budget of the new government and our new Prime Minister. We can a look at where some of that money is going. I have a few select places that I would like to list off.
There is $192 million in 2025-26 for CBC/Radio-Canada. Whether it is Radio-Canada and the important role it plays in Quebec or it is CBC in general, it is absolutely critical for Canadian sovereignty that we have funding going to that institution. There is no dispute coming from the government on that. The Prime Minister has been very clear on it, even though we get pressure from the Conservative Party, which is threatening and making very clear that if they were in government, they would get rid of it. I would hope that a more progressive-thinking official opposition, understanding the impact that would have, would reverse that position, because Radio-Canada and CBC as a whole play a very important role in our society.
For Telefilm Canada, there is $150 million over three years. We can talk about how Telefilm Canada is helping our arts community. These are just federal dollars that are being provided.
We have the Canada Media Fund. Over a three-year period, there is over $125 million for it. As a government, we are recognizing the value of this institution and why it is so important for us to continue with the funding of it.
For the Canada music fund, there is close to $50 million over the next three years.
We can talk about the National Film Board of Canada, which is getting $26 million over that same period of time. It is truly amazing the data bank of films that the National Film Board of Canada has and the many contributions it has made through that data bank and Canadian films to many of the people it has been able to serve in virtually every different sectors of our arts community and cultural community, whether directly or indirectly.
The Canada Council for the Arts, over that same period of time, will be given $6 million, recognizing the work that it does to protect one of the things that are so critically important.
Our sovereignty is an issue that this government takes very seriously. I know it is on the minds of many, because we hear the comments coming from both the Bloc and the Conservatives. They try to mock us. In a previous speech, someone said “Mr. Canada”, referring to our Prime Minister. I can tell my friends in the Bloc that there is a team Canada approach to building a stronger province of Quebec and a stronger province of Alberta.
In every region of the country, we have seen federal co-operation and collaboration, recognizing that it is the people of Canada who benefit when governments work together. I would challenge members opposite to point to a time when we have seen this much collaboration within the first 18 months of being in government.