Gaston Leroux

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 25th, 1996]

First of all, Mr. Speaker, I would like to set the record straight. The Bloc Quebecois recognizes, and joins with others in recognizing, the importance of the CBC, the NFB and Telefilm Canada as cultural institutions, as set out in the Juneau report. Second, we also recognize the report's insistence on the need to settle the long term funding issue.

The Bloc is clearly opposed to a CBC tax being levied. Last week, the minister herself told me in this House that she was against imposing a CBC tax, but at the same time she is establishing a cultural production fund. My question is clear: What is the source of this cultural funding? Where will she get the money?

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Canadian Heritage says she is about to announce the creation of a cultural production fund. Does the minister intend to impose a CBC tax, thus shifting part of the deficit to the taxpayers and making them pay twice for the same service?

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 20th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, in their red book the Liberals promised stable multiyear financing for the CBC. When Mr. Manera was appointed, the Liberals promised that there would be no more cuts other than those imposed by the previous government.

On November 22, Mr. Beatty stated that any new cut to the CBC would lead to a change in its mandate. Well, the budget slashes the CBC's funding by $150 million.

My question is for the Deputy Prime Minister. Given what Mr. Beatty said in November, is the minister in the process of altering the CBC's mandate through the budget, that is to say, through the back door and without public debate?

[Budget For Culture, March 19th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, if I understand the beginning of the minister's reply correctly, she is not in agreement with the cuts that have been made.

I therefore ask her a supplementary question. At a time when the Minister of Canadian Heritage is cutting millions of dollars and thousands of jobs throughout cultural institutions and programs, how can she justify the fact that the only budget that has increased in her department is the administrative one, which rose 8 per cent between 1994 and 1997?

[Budget For Culture, March 19th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the cultural community is dismayed over the recent budget. Despite the promises made by the Liberals in the red book and the last throne speech, the heritage department's budget for programs and institutions will be cut by 30 per cent over four years.

My question is for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage. How can the minister explain to the cultural community that she was unable to protect the budget for culture, which will be cut by 8 per cent more than the national defence budget?

[Economic Development, March 15th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to tell this House about the success of the economic development policy implemented by the municipal council of Bromptonville, in the Quebec riding of Richmond-Wolfe.

A few years ago, the Bromptonville municipal council, headed by mayor Clément Nault, decided it would try to attract businesses to the region. Its initiatives took off and continue to be very profitable. Among other things, it developed an industrial park, which, with the large demand from these businesses for rental space, has grown steadily from the outset.

In addition, the Kruger paper company recently decided to build a $20 million electric power plant at its Bromptonville factory, and a few days ago announced that it had selected Bromptonville as the site for a $325 million glazed paper plant.

These excellent pieces of news provide me with an opportunity to congratulate the members of the Bromptonville municipal council on the undeniable success of their economic development initiative.

[Cultural Institutions, March 12th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, would the parliamentary secretary tell this House what the government intends to do to make the United States understand once and for all that cultural exemption is here to stay, that it is non-negotiable and that we intend to use it to develop Canadian and Quebec cultures?

[Cultural Institutions, March 12th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, my question is for the acting Prime Minister. The American Trade Secretary, Mickey Cantor, said yesterday that culture was like VCRs, they are not banned in the United States for being made abroad.

Also, Mr. Kantor announced yesterday to the world that the United States was going to fight the Canadian act which levies a tax on split run editions, an act which was passed, you will recall, with the Bloc Quebecois' support since it deals with protecting our cultural institutions.

With regard to Sports Illustrated , is the government committed not to renegotiate downwards the cultural sovereignty of Canada and Quebec?

[Asbestos Region, March 12th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the Asbestos region in the Quebec riding of Richmond-Wolfe, which has been struggling with major economic difficulties, is about to experience major developments relating to the asbestos industry.

The first good news is that J.M. Asbestos will be investing $125 million in the development of an underground mine, thus guaranteeing 700 people work for the next 20 years.

The second is that Métallurgie Noranda has decided on Asbestos as the site of a $525 million magnesium plant, which will create some 375 direct jobs.

I wish, in closing, to express my congratulations to all concerned, particularly the President and CEO of J.M. Asbestos, Bernard Coulombe, without whom everyone agrees these two projects could never have seen the light of day.

Asbestos is being born again. We wish it every success in its return to prosperity.

[Société Radio-Canada, March 6th, 1996]

Mr. Speaker, the three recommendations in the Juneau report are even identified by the report's author as the weakest ones.

Given that Radio-Canada's contract with its affiliates ends March 31, does the Minister of Canadian Heritage intend to calm the fears of the people in the affiliate stations by declaring a moratorium on the recommendations that affect them?