Mr. Speaker, why is the Prime Minister allowing this sensitive issue to be handled by an individual who is in a direct conflict of interest and whose family stands to benefit from the decisions made?
House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 1993, with 60% of the vote.
Investment Canada April 27th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, why is the Prime Minister allowing this sensitive issue to be handled by an individual who is in a direct conflict of interest and whose family stands to benefit from the decisions made?
Investment Canada April 27th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, the insidious backroom family connections continue.
Investment Canada has confirmed that the ADM for cultural affairs in the department of heritage is directly responsible for the Seagram file. He also has family ties with the Bronfmans. He is-
Investment Canada April 27th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Prime Minister.
The government abused Investment Canada over the Ginn Publishing affair and it is poised to do it again over the Seagram acquisition. The government blamed the Tories for the Ginn Publishing deal but it cannot blame them this time.
The Minister of Canadian Heritage attended meetings in Los Angeles with MCA and Seagram prior to this transaction being filed officially with the securities commission or cleared by Investment Canada.
Does the Prime Minister not understand that as a result of these meetings the Minister of Canadian Heritage appears to be influencing Investment Canada's decision?
Communications April 26th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, pursuant to these questions, it has always been looking at the issue of openness, accountability and transparency.
The government has been fast tracking the cabinet directive to try to cover up the huge regulatory mess it has created. It is a mess because it does not know if it wants open competition or not. It is a mess because industry is opening our borders while heritage is closing them. The DTH fiasco demonstrates that the CRTC as well has outlived its purpose.
Rather than helping a favoured few, why not implement the recommendations of the competition bureau to allow telecommunications and broadcasting free market driven competition?
Communications April 26th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
In the CRTC response to a draft the cabinet directly prepared for direct to home broadcasting, it states that the proposed government directive may be in violation of the Broadcasting Act. The proposed DTH carriage rules and the revocation of the exemption order may both be illegal according to the CRTC.
Instead of attempting to benefit Power Corp. with cabinet directives of questionable legal standing, why will the government not refer the mess it has created to a House standing committee where decisions will be made out in the open and without the perception of family influence tainting the process?
Direct To Home Satellites April 6th, 1995
Does the government have a cultural policy or will decisions continue to be made in an ad hoc way to the benefit of Liberal insiders?
Direct To Home Satellites April 6th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is again for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
The Reform Party has always favoured a review of Canada's direct to home satellite policy. We do favour competition but it should be done in a very public forum.
Instead, the government's review was a backroom, closed door deal to favour a bunch of Liberal bagmen. It is yet another example of the government's lack of cultural policy.
One day it is restricting competition in favour of Canadian industries, the next it is swinging the door-
Direct To Home Satellites April 6th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
The politics of this review has tainted its outcome. The review was ordered because the original decision went against Power Corp., a company headed by the Prime Minister's son-in-law. The review panel included Robert Rabinovitch, who has personal ties to Power Corp. and the Claridge Group, and Roger Tassé, a partner in Eddie Goldenberg's former law firm. If that was not bad enough, the government tried to slip the decision by the House to avoid public discussion.
Why was the DTH review not conducted as part of the industry department's information highway hearing or the CRTC convergence hearings?
Direct To Home Satellites April 6th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Last November the cabinet decided to overrule a CRTC decision and create a blue ribbon panel to review Canada's direct to home satellite policy; I should say a red ribbon panel because it has strong links to the Prime Minister's office.
We understand from leaked reports to our office this back room, closed door review is now complete. To avoid public scrutiny the cabinet's decision will be announced after the House rises for the Easter break.
What decision has the government made with respect to direct to home satellites and why was it not announced before the break?
Multiculturalism April 5th, 1995
Mr. Speaker, I have a couple of things I would like to say. First, I have very much appreciated having the opportunity to debate this matter today with other members of the House. I note their passion and their sense of wanting to debate this further. To that end I would seek unanimous consent of the House that this become a votable item and move it to committee as quickly as possible for further discussion.