House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 56% of the vote.
Culture February 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, all of the demands by the Bloc Québécois are already in the budget it is voting against. We are investing $22 million this year to help our artists on the international scene. The Bloc is voting against the needs of artists on the international scene. We are the ones making the investments.
Culture February 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, she is speaking of people's criticisms of a proposal that is not ours. It is a proposal, not our policy. We wish to create prizes for the artists and the culture of our country, as we did last year with the Gairdner Canada award in world health for scientists and physicians.
It is important for the country to draw attention to its creative people. We take pride in the creativity in the arts and culture of our country, and so that is what we are doing. The Bloc is opposing something that is not our policy. When the hon. member has the details, she will be able to discuss it further.
Culture February 11th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely false. The proposal the Bloc is talking about is a proposal by two people that is not our policy. It is not our policy, but an existing proposal. We are holding consultations about creating a Canadian prize. We will submit a proposal to the House. The Bloc and the other members of the House will be able to look at the details, and we will have a more constructive debate on that proposal. What he is talking about is a proposal that is not ours. We are making unprecedented investments in the arts and culture. Once again, the Bloc is voting against this.
Culture February 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we did not do it before, so of course we will not be doing it again.
With regard to arts and culture, our government has supported Canadian heritage and supported important institutions that are important to the future of this country, important to the quality of life of Canadians. For example, there is more money for institutions like the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, the Royal Ontario Museum, all these fantastic institutions that improve the quality of life of Canadians.
We are making these investments that are important to Canadians. We are going to continue to do it because it is what Canadians elected us to do.
Culture February 10th, 2009
Again, Mr. Speaker, my colleague from Honoré-Mercier conveniently forgets that under this Conservative government we have increased funding for arts and culture every single year we have been in power. Of course he ignores that fact.
We have increased funding again for arts and culture in this budget. We have new money for festivals, new money for libraries, new money for museums, new money across the board, more money for cultural spaces. There is more money for Canadians for arts and culture under our government than under any government in Canadian history.
Of course, we are going to continue this approach because we believe in arts and culture, even if the Liberal Party is ignorant of the facts.
Culture February 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, here is a clear analysis for all Canadians, Quebeckers and my colleague's constituents. In this budget, there is more money for festivals, theatres, libraries, small museums, the national arts training program, dance, music, art, drama and Canadians' access to magazines and community newspapers. There is more money for the Canadian television fund, restoration of historic sites and the Quebec City armoury.
That is a clear analysis. It is in the budget, which the Bloc opposes.
Culture February 10th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, yesterday before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage I explained each decision taken by our government. I spoke about each of them in detail. Our government wants to meet the needs of our artists. If a program like Trade Routes costs $5 million and provides only $2 billion in benefits, it is not an effective exchange for artists or taxpayers. We are investing $2.3 billion for artists, and the Bloc is opposing it.
Official Languages February 4th, 2009
Watch out!
The information is on its way. I will appear before the Standing Committee on Official Languages and I will answer all their questions. All the reports will be tabled. All the information will be very clear and will show that our government is investing more heavily in official languages than ever before in this country's history.
Official Languages February 4th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, we have nothing to hide. We are proud of our investments in official languages. For example, our roadmap means $1.1 billion over five years. That is 20% more than the former government did for official languages.
Culture February 4th, 2009
Mr. Speaker, I just want to say one thing. In her first question, the member criticized the Canada prize. Our government is putting forward an endowment of $25 million to create the Canada prize. It will be the largest multidisciplinary prize for arts in the world. It will put Canada permanently as a cultural capital in the world.
It is a remarkable achievement for this country to have such an incredible event, such an incredible opportunity, record prizes for arts and culture in this country. It is going to make this country stronger on the international stage. That is why the Bloc Québécois is against it, because we are making this country stronger through arts and culture.