Hélène Scherrer

[Copyright, May 7th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to thank my colleague, the chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, and all members of the committee for their excellent work on this issue. I am looking forward to receiving their report as soon as next week.

As my colleagues know, I am very much committed to introducing legislation on that issue as quickly as this fall. I intend to work very closely with all members of the committee to ensure that the music producers and the artists get the recognition and protection that they deserve.

[Public Service, May 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I do not have much to add to what I already said last week and on several occasions this week. This is a labour relations matter. The public service standards were complied with. I must say that I find it rather strange that Bloc Quebecois members would call for political interference in the area of hiring and labour relations.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, May 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Québec for allowing me to reiterate the government's promise in the throne speech, and subsequently, to promote and be very present in communities.

This was not just for the past few weeks. This has been going on for the past few months and will continue in the coming weeks.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, May 5th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, first, I would like to remind the hon. member—and she probably knows this too—that the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation manages its own daily operations.

I would also like to remind the hon. member that the government is definitely committed to the CBC and provides it with $1 billion in annual funding.

Furthermore, I also think it is important to recall the Speech from the Throne in which the government stated its intention—in all its activities—to develop communities.

[Government Contracts, May 4th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for Québec for reminding us exactly where the sponsorship program is at: it was indeed abolished on December 12.

At the time, the Prime Minister asked us to see how, with the existing programs at Canadian Heritage, we could support these events. Concrete efforts were made to contact the 780 events that received grants last year. We are proceeding with them.

Support will be provided through Canadian Heritage programs, which means that certain events will not be affected. The 50% figure was challenged. We are currently examining it.

[Government Contracts, May 4th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, the same questions are being asked as in 1997, 1998 and the following years. The answers were provided at that time. Those answers are public. Internal reports have been produced.

I think that, with a bit of research, they could put their hands on the answers provided previously, which will not be any different today.

[Government Contracts, May 4th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I continue to be surprised that the Bloc Quebecois is rehashing questions asked since 1995 and answered over the next four years.

All the documents are public. We have provided full answers to all of the questions. All they need to get answers to all their questions is to do a bit of research.

Might we perhaps also ask our colleagues in the Bloc whether they are prepared to be as transparent in connection with Mr. Parizeau and the creation of a department, and to produce all the documents on that matter?

[Public Service, May 3rd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, on the contrary. In ensuring that this is a matter of labour relations, I believe that, at this time, we are complying with the standards put forward by the public service. This is in no way a political matter. It is a labour relations matter and, therefore, great care must be taken to comply with the standards put forward by the public service.

[Public Service, May 3rd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I will say again what I said all last week. This is a labour relations matter. I have given no directive and I have not interfered in any way. The matter has been handled in compliance with the rules applicable to the public service. I believe that what needs to be looked at now might well be who is trying to use this matter for political gain.

[Government Contracts, May 3rd, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, I will repeat the exact same answer I gave before. These questions have been put over and over to my predecessor. The answers are all on the public record. The documents are available and they are relevant.

If hon. members have additional information, I urge them to make this information public, so that we can take a look at it.