Albina Guarnieri

[Amateur Sport, May 30th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, the minister remains a good sport when it comes to funding those sporting activities which remain important to Canadians.

The minister has been unequivocal in his intent not to discontinue funding to biathlon and to the Canadian Freestyle Ski Association. Officials are currently reviewing the Cal Best report. The minister intends to make his call on the core sport concept before the end of the summer.

[Amateur Sport, May 27th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I will certainly be happy to relay the member's request to the minister.

Perhaps it should be the Reform's sport to race to conclusions without the ball.

[Amateur Sport, May 27th, 1994]

The hon. member is aware that the minister is currently reviewing the Best report, which is far from government policy.

The minister did make assurances that all sports will be given due consideration. The hon. member may wish to wait until the comprehensive review is done before issuing further criticisms of the announcement.

[National Library Act, May 27th, 1994]

Mr. Chairman, I can assure the hon. member it is not our intention to cause undue hardship on the publishing industry. As I mentioned earlier, we have had widespread consultations with all major principals in the publishing industry and to date none have expressed undue concern.

Most people see this initiative as a positive step rather than a regressive one.

(Clause agreed to.)

(Clause 3 agreed to.)

(Title agreed to.)

(Bill reported, concurred in, and, by unanimous consent, read the third time and passed.)

[National Library Act, May 27th, 1994]

Mr. Chairman, I thank the hon. member for his editorial, but I am not sure it really furthers the debate today. My understanding is that the provisions are being supported by his party. In the spirit of co-operation perhaps we can proceed.

[National Library Act, May 27th, 1994]

Mr. Chairman, the reason we have undertaken this specific initiative arises from the fact that when the act was first proposed in 1969 it became quickly obsolete as books exceeded the value of $50 or the fine of $150. We want to make sure that we do not have to revisit the issue every second week.

I am sure the hon. member will concede that there are matters of pressing importance. I have every confidence that the act will be interpreted in the spirit it is meant rather than in the exaggerated case suggested by the hon. member.

[National Library Act, May 27th, 1994]

Mr. Chairman, my understanding is that proceedings were initiated in only one case which actually went to court.

I am a bit confused by what the hon. member is suggesting because the amendments we are proposing are meant to assist publishers. They do have provisions for recourse. I am pretty confident judges will take into consideration any financial burden we are asking these people to undertake.

The National Library of Canada, we have estimated, will have savings of over $1 million over the next five years with the proposed legislation. Does the hon. member not feel that we will be assisting Canadians by making sure they have a National Library that is the pride of the country?

[National Library Act, May 27th, 1994]

I want to reassure the member that we will look into the matter.

[National Library Act, May 27th, 1994]

Mr. Chairman, from what I understand, widespread consultations with both English and French language publishers representing key sectors within the publishing industry including, as the hon. member mentioned the livres d'artistes, indicate that the proposed amendments that we are suggesting today will not impose any significant financial burden.

The member's fears may be alleviated when the regulations are presented. I know the minister has given an undertaking that the proposed amendments will certainly assist and enhance the publishing industry's interests rather than impede them in any way.

[National Library Act, May 27th, 1994]

Mr. Chairman, I believe that the regulations will satisfy Quebec as well as the other provinces. Quebec has its own legislation, but I believe that the minister did everything he could to satisfy Quebec in this regard.