Sheila Copps

[Arts and Culture, June 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to thank the member for Nunavut for this very important question on diversity of voices. The reality is that we have representatives of the Inuit, the first nations and the Métis people gathering here in the nation's capital to help redefine what is truly Canadian heritage.

It is pretty incredible that for the last 130 odd years we have had a heritage policy that has excluded aboriginal and Inuit Canadians. Hopefully this meeting will be the first step toward ensuring that they are a full part of Canadian cultural policy. I want to thank all the members who participated in this process.

[The Media, June 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have no intention of attending a meeting that deals with the issue of editorial policy.

[La Soirée du hockey, June 17th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, last week I said that we must wait for the results of the report by the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages.

I happen to know that the chair of the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages is again going to request that Radio-Canada appear, and I am waiting for the report of the committee, which will look at this issue.

[Canadian Heritage, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank the hon. member for his question. In fact, he has been very active on this file. As he knows, it is a file that we certainly support in principle and we want to work with him on to see come to fruition.

I would like to point out in the context of this file that the direct expenditures of the Government of Canada for culture in communities across the country have gone up by 20% over the last three years. I think it is really important that we respond to the communities, not just in the capital cities across the country, but communities wherever they are.

I want to congratulate the Beaubassin historical society for its incredible initiative in this area.

[Soirée du hockey, June 13th, 2002]

If necessary, Mr. Speaker.

[Soirée du hockey, June 13th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, every crown corporation must comply with the Official Languages Act. When a corporation negotiates for rights in one language only, rights for the broadcast of hockey games in English only, it shows a lack of respect for the francophone minority of one million people living outside Quebec.

The CBC has a responsibility not only toward sports fans, but toward all minorities, including francophones outside Quebec.

[Ethics, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, this from the party that promised to turn Stornoway into a bingo hall.

[Ethics, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the statements of the hon. member are simply not true.

[La Soirée du hockey, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the rights were negotiated by the CBC, but unfortunately, they decided to negotiate for the rights in only one language.

As a result, Radio-Canada managers have been called to appear before the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages to see how they can resolve this situation, which is completely unacceptable, not only for Quebecers, but also for the one million French viewers outside Quebec, who have the right to watch the game in the language of their choice.

[La Soirée du hockey, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I completely agree with the policy proposed by the hon. member.

I completely agree with the hon. member that it is incredible that La soirée du hockey will not be available in the French language across the country. That is why I am really pleased the Standing Joint Committee on Official Languages has invited the participation of the CBC and other rights holders to look at this issue.

I hope they can come to a resolution. If they cannot come to a resolution, there may be a requirement for other interventions.