House of Commons photoWon her last election, in 2011, with 55% of the vote.
Festivals and Special Events May 31st, 2007
Mr. Speaker, as I said, this government has a program and the festivals in Quebec are being funded, festivals like the Festival international de la littérature and the Festival du Jamais Lu. In fact, those festivals are in the riding of the leader of the Bloc.
Is the very party that is asking about the use of tax dollars 12 years ago suggesting that we go ahead and fund without a program framework and without clear criteria and guidelines?
Festivals and Special Events May 30th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, this is new funding for a new program. This is not a transfer to the provinces. The new program will help small and medium size events, not just the major festivals. The program will be in place at the end of the summer.
Festivals and Special Events May 29th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, no, the festivals do not have to wait. Through various programs, our government is already supporting festivals like the Just for Laughs Festival and the Montreal International Jazz Festival.
We have announced $60 million in new funding for a new program that will be in place at the end of the summer. This program will support small and medium size events that celebrate heritage and the arts, not just major festivals.
Festivals and Special Events May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, as I indicated earlier, there are programs that exist right now that are supporting festivals. Those programs were in existence last year. They will be in existence this year and next.
This is a new program. It did not exist last year. That is why I say there are many festival organizations that are quite eager. They are supportive of the fact that we are listening to them and we are going to make sure that the criteria are accountable and transparent.
Festivals and Special Events May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, in fact that is exactly what I am doing. I met with a group of people in Winnipeg just this past week. They were quite eager and enthusiastic that they also have input to make sure that the new funds for a new program are going to benefit them and their communities. This is not only for large festivals. It is for small and medium size festivals that really have a meaningful place in bringing communities together right across this country.
Festivals and Special Events May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, I thank the member opposite for reminding us about the sponsorship scandal. That is why this government is coming up with a brand new program to address the real needs of community based festivals. We are going to make sure that communities benefit, not use taxpayer dollars for political gain. It is about helping communities celebrate their arts and heritage, not just flowing money into party coffers.
Festivals and Special Events May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, as I said, there is festival funding support from the federal government. Those applications were received from festivals right across Canada, including Quebec. Quebec is receiving $13 million to support those festivals that are occurring this year.
We want to make sure that the new program certainly will meet the needs of the communities and will support the communities right across Canada in small and medium size festivals, not only large festivals.
Festivals and Special Events May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, as I said, this is new programming. In fact, the festivals that the member referred to are already getting funding from the federal government through existing programs. Quebec events this year will receive over $13 million in support for festivals.
These current programs will continue. They exist. Therefore, the new program will be formulated to address new needs and real needs and benefit communities right across Canada.
Festivals and Special Events May 28th, 2007
Mr. Speaker, the government announced new funding for a new program, not a transfer to provinces. This program is to celebrate arts and heritage events, both small and medium, not only large festivals.
We want to benefit the communities across Canada, not take advantage of them. There will be wide consultation, with criteria that are transparent and accountable. This program is to help communities celebrate their arts and heritage and to make sure that it really benefits the communities.
Business of Supply May 16th, 2007
Mr. Chair, the answer does not change no matter how loud the voices.
As the Minister of Canadian Heritage, we have put $5 million more to assist student apprenticeships at museums and organizations. The student summer works program will help students find really good meaningful jobs in areas of low unemployment. The students we are targeting are those students most in need.