Sheila Copps

[Bill C-55, March 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, yes.

[Bill C-55, March 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, with the support of 197 members of the House we have every intention of proceeding with Bill C-55.

The hon. member can rest assured that I have no intention of wiggling or shaking.

[International Forums, March 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, on the one hand, the hon. member is claiming a desire to support francophones outside Quebec, while on the other he is leaving them in the cold with a policy which states that there is French only for Quebec, and English for the rest of Canada.

In this party and this country, Canada, we believe in two founding peoples and two official languages. That is why francophones outside Quebec can count on us to support the culture of Canada, the culture of two peoples.

[International Forums, March 16th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, one thing is certain, we are not about to leave in the cold the one million francophones outside Quebec who need the support of Canada if they are to safeguard their language and culture.

[Bill C-55, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the particular clause I introduced at report stage of the bill is the exact same clause that exists in many pieces of legislation. I will say that in the course of the discussions around other possibilities, we have made it very clear to the Americans that Bill C-55 will proceed. We have no intention of abolishing Bill C-55. We have made it very clear also that any future discussions must hinge on the concept of majority Canadian content. We believe that reflects not only the letter but also the spirit of the legislation.

[Bill C-55, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, no. I want to thank the hon. NDP critic for the question. It permits me to make abundantly clear that Mr. Fisher was in no way reflecting on any of the discussions. Mr. Fisher is completely wrong when he says that Bill C-55 will not see the light of day.

I hope tonight the support of all members of this House with the exception of the Reform Party will send a very strong signal to Washington that in this country we still make our own laws.

[Bill C-55, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, the Reform Party talks about censorship. There is not a country in the world that would put up with the situation where 85% of the magazines on their national newsstands are from another country. If there is a demand across this country to save some free speech, it is the demand by Canadians to make sure that in this great country there is some small space left for Canadian stories.

It is unfortunate that in kowtowing to the Americans the Reform Party once again is prepared to sell out Canada.

[Bill C-55, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I am not surprised that once again when looking around this place there is only one party that does not stand up for Canada and that party is the Reform Party. Its members showed us that today in their comments on productivity.

Once again, the only members in the House of Commons which refuse to stand up for Canada are Reform members. They should be ashamed of themselves.

[Quebec's Culture, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there is direct contact on a daily basis. I believe there is a direct contact between the Government of Quebec and the Government of Catalonia.

There is nothing preventing Quebeckers from establishing contacts all over the world. All we want is respect of countries' sovereignty.

[Quebec's Culture, March 15th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, if we are currently supporting the Cirque du Soleil, it is precisely because we believe in it. If we are supporting the Montreal Symphony Orchestra, it is because we believe in it. If we are supporting the publishing industry's policies, it is because we believe in them.

We can work in partnership. Those who do not want to do so are those who have a single goal in mind, that is to break up the country. Such is the policy of the Bloc Quebecois and of the Parti Quebecois.