Sheila Copps

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, February 7th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, once again the hon. member's statements are wrong. If the hon. member is really honest when he speaks of cuts, why does he not go and talk to his colleague, the Quebec Minister of Culture and Communications, who has cut half the jobs at Télé-Québec? There were 580 employees in 1995, and only 329 were left in 1996.

We have made some hard decisions, but we have acted fairly, and have made fewer cuts and abolished fewer positions than his colleague, the Quebec Minister of Culture and Communications cut at Télé-Québec.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, February 7th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, it is incorrect to claim that we have cut the CBC budget by a third, Second, we have followed the advice of the hon. member for Rimouski-Témiscouata, who said on March 16 1995: "If any cuts are needed, there are big ones to be made at CBC". That is what we did, we followed the advice of the member for Rimouski-Témiscouata.

[Culture, February 7th, 1997]

Yes, Mr. Speaker.

[Culture, February 7th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the question asked by the hon. member deserves a very serious answer because Canadian culture gives us two opportunities as a country. First is it tells our story to ourselves which is essential for our survival as a country. Second is it creates almost a million Canadian value added knowledge based jobs.

When we came in as a government three and a half years ago, we pledged to do everything possible to create Canadian jobs for Canadians. One of the great success stories in Canadian job creation over the last decade has been the cultural sector. Certainly we are going to be working very closely with all departments to make sure that not only do Canadian cultural jobs continue to grow but most important that Canadians have the opportunity to tell Canadian stories to ourselves.

[Culture, February 7th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I think that when we respond unanimously to the demands of cultural groups this morning, it is by saying that we wish to do everything we can not just to strengthen existing cultural protection, but to improve it for the twenty-first century.

We know that we are living in a time of turbulent change, and we want to be prepared and to be on the cutting edge when it comes to new cultural possibilities, as we were when we became the first country to set up a CRTC.

[Culture, February 6th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, last week I said the same thing I am saying today. The decision has not yet been made. It is impossible to confirm that we will appeal, given that the decision has not even been made.

The ruling that was made is a provisional decision. We will wait for the final decision, which should come at the end of this month. I can assure the hon. member that once a final decision is made, we will use every available means, including our right to appeal this unacceptable demand by the Americans.

[Culture, February 6th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, it is absolutely vital that the Government of Canada take a unanimous stand on an issue that concerns us all. I am just as concerned that, when the Prime Minister put me in charge of the heritage department, he asked me to fight hard for Canadian culture because it must be done.

I can assure you that as far as Canada's policy to work very hard for our culture is concerned, I am in complete agreement with all of my cabinet colleagues, including the Minister for International Trade.

[Public Documents, February 6th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, I most strongly object to the claim of the hon. member that somehow the RCMP would be precluded from doing its work because of the "friendship" between the Prime Minister and anyone. It is a very serious allegation to make against the RCMP.

I would hope that the member, along with all members of the House, will respect the fact that the RCMP is impartial and completely capable of carrying out its responsibilities.

[Public Documents, February 6th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, any illegal shredding of documents should most properly be handled by the organization responsible for those kinds of criminal activities, the RCMP.

[Public Documents, February 6th, 1997]

Mr. Speaker, the government certainly does not support the shredding of any such documents.