Sheila Copps

[Dubbing Industry, March 13th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I think the hon. member raised a very important issue which concerns market access. In fact, the French government's current policy on dubbing is costing Canada jobs because it will not accept films dubbed by a country other than France, claiming that the accent is wrong, in fact rather rustic.

We are working together with Ms. Beaudoin, the Quebec Minister of Culture, to ensure that following representations made by Ms. Beaudoin and the Union des artistes, we can have a joint policy to counter a catastrophic dubbing policy like the one supported by France today.

[Parks Canada, March 12th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, if the member is drawing his question from the article I read in the paper, it spoke about a beaver upgrade that was to modernize the symbol of the beaver.

It cost about $30,000 over a period of about two and a half years. It predated my arrival in the department, but I can say that if the department is looking for a symbol Canadians will recognize from coast to coast to coast, without having to pay a penny, we have that symbol. That symbol is right over there. It is called the Canadian flag.

[Heritage, March 12th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, if the member does not believe the statement I made in the House yesterday then I would like to quote a statement made about the contracts: "They were let in a proper manner".

That statement was made by the member for Kootenay East on March 11, 1997 outside the Chamber.

[Copyright, March 12th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, in response to the interventions of creators who appeared before the committee-I think there were some 90 briefs-and the people across Canada, we tabled amendments this afternoon that will continue to respect copyright provisions as examined by the committee.

[Copyright, March 12th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure my hon. colleague that the Minister of Industry and myself, who were jointly responsible for introducing the bill in question, unanimously agree on the value of copyright, which is why they will be included in the bill.

[Heritage, March 11th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I repeat the fact that any contract that has been let through my department has been let in full compliance and respect for Treasury Board guidelines.

If the member has a scurrilous accusation to make, I would suggest that he go outside the House like a parliamentarian and make it where he will be subject to the full effect of libel suits. He is attempting to hide under the protection of the House which would not be accorded to him outside in making such a libellous statement.

[Heritage, March 11th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, every contract that has been let by my department has been let in accordance with Treasury Board guidelines.

If the member of the Reform Party has any kind of a scurrilous accusation to make, I would suggest he make that accusation outside the House where he will be subject to the libellous action he should be subject to.

[Tobacco Act, March 4th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, we are talking about productivity. We are talking about jobs. Every year, 12,000 people die in Quebec, unfortunately, from smoking. We are taking action because we agree with Louise Beaudouin, the Quebec minister of culture, who said, and I quote: "I agree that Quebecers' health comes first and foremost" in Le Soleil last year.

[Tobacco Act, March 4th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I am surprised that the member did not reveal how much smoking costs the Quebec economy. In 1991, taxpayers paid $4 billion because of smoking. This is in addition to the costs involved for all those who die of smoking related cancer or heart conditions.

[National Unity, February 18th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I have taken on the challenge of the cultural affairs ministers, who asked the Government of Canada to provide information to school principals.

Later, I sent a letter to school principals to tell them about this kit, and the response was incredible. I would like to quote for the record the president of the Fédération des directeurs d'école du Québec, who stated today: "It is up to school principals to exercise judgment in deciding whether or not to order the multimedia educational package".

I always give school principals the choice. All we do is provide information. It is such a hit that, after two weeks, we had to have 5,000 new packages prepared.