Bev Oda

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, this reminds me of when I was a teacher. The students would always ask when rather than what about the content.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, we indicated that we would be looking at the museums and our government's approach to them. I would suggest that a year and a half in office is not necessarily breaking a promise. We have done effective, real work in supporting the museums, our national museums and museums across the country.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, that will be taken into consideration. I am looking forward to meeting with the coalition as well to discuss its suggestions to us.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, it happened last year as well. This program was announced in our budget and it is one that will be effective. We will not slipshod a new program and have it misused as it was by the previous government. That is why we will do our due diligence in setting up a framework, and the proper terms and conditions.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I believe members of Parliament know their communities, know their ridings and know all the events in their communities the best, and they should know that. That is why I have given them an opportunity to have input into the consultation process.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I indicated, we are monitoring the financial situation of our artists community and we are going to address their real needs.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, we are aware of the initiatives taken by every province in the country in support of their artistic communities. We see that they provide tax credit systems, just as we do on the federal level. We know Quebec has initiatives and laws to address the needs of its artists. We have also seen other provinces take that initiative. We are monitoring all those.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, we are ensuring that we create a cultural industry, a production industry, a music industry and a film industry that are going to be able to reap the rewards of their hard work. We are working on international development through our trade routes program and through increased funding to the Canada Council. International marketplace opportunities will open up.

We will also ensure, because I note that artists also have families et cetera, that we free them up so they can pursue their creative endeavours.

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, I think the government has demonstrated that it has a balanced approach to those issues that are very important.

First, we believe we need a strong economy. The stronger the families and individuals are they can then can participate in all aspects of Canadian life, including the arts and cultural aspect of Canadian life.

These Canadians are hard-working and we are going to ensure that they have more of their money and less is sent to Ottawa to be wasted. We are ensuring that the money they send is going to be used effectively. In fact, the funding for the Canada Council, the new funding that we provided has meant that there is new money for the Montreal company Danse Par B.L.eux, the Nunavut Independent Television Network, the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto—

[Business of Supply, May 16th, 2007]

Mr. Chair, as I indicated in my presentation, we are providing funding and support for thousands of organizations that are working daily on behalf of women to make a difference in the lives of women in communities. That is what we are doing. We are giving support to organizations such as the one I visited in Saint John, New Brunswick.