House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 56% of the vote.
Arts and Culture April 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, that is absolutely ridiculous. We do not need any advice from the Bloc Québécois about how to protect Canadian culture. Our investments and our bills are protecting this country's culture. The Conservative government will always be proud to do whatever it takes to protect and celebrate Canadian and Quebec culture.
Arts and Culture April 19th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, once we have tabled our bill, the member will be aware of the facts and will have an opportunity to talk about it.
The government has always said that it provides financial support to artists. We do not want to force consumers to pay another tax for no good reason. The budget offers increased funding for Quebec's artists and its cultural community, but the member voted against the budget.
Telecommunications April 15th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, in the vote last night, the Bloc Québécois, the NDP and the Liberals got together and voted in favour of a new tax of up to $75 for every iPod, every BlackBerry, every cellphone, every computer, and every PVR in this country. It is bad for consumers and it is bad for creators.
There is nobody in full sobriety who can say that it will help musicians, the music industry, the television industry or the movie industry, by making it more expensive for consumers to purchase the products on which they will receive their Canadian content. However, that is what they did. They want higher taxes on consumers. We believe in standing up for taxpayers and standing—
Access to Information April 14th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, there is nothing to hide. Our government is very proud of its commitment to arts and culture. We are making unprecedented investments in arts and culture and we are proud of what we have done. During the election campaign we made a commitment and we invested in television, arts, culture, museums, youth and festivals. That is what we have done. I am very proud of it. The doors are wide open on everything we have done. I am very proud of our commitment.
Arts and Culture April 13th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, our decision regarding Amazon.ca is a responsible one and it is good for Canadian culture.
We received over $20 million. We will create new Canadian jobs in Mississauga. We will have new positions for Canadian authors. This decision was made following a process that complied with all of the regulations. Canada's culture will definitely be protected.
I also want to point out that our government is investing in authors, in magazines, in the Canadian economy and in the francophone economy. We are keeping our promises to protect Canadian culture.
Arts and Culture April 12th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that Amazon.ca has been granted approval to establish a distribution centre for its Canadian operations.
For Canadians, this means jobs. It also means an investment of over $20 million into the Canadian economy, better visibility for Canadian books on the Amazon.ca website, a dedicated Amazon staff person to help Canadian publishers, more Canadian content available on the Kindle, and a summer internship program for Canadian students.
What this means for Canadian authors is that they will have more opportunity to sell their excellence to an international audience. This is good for Canada.
Questions on the Order Paper April 1st, 2010
Mr. Speaker, the 2010 winter games provided a rare opportunity to further domestic, international and business relations and to showcase Canada to the world.
In accordance with the terms of the multiparty agreement signed by the previous Liberal government in 2002, 2010 winter games partners, including the Government of Canada, GoC, and other government partners in the games had advance access to purchase 2010 Olympic and Paralympic winter games tickets at face value.
The government has made it mandatory that all members of parliament, House of Commons and Senate, pay for their own tickets. The cost of these tickets will be fully cost-recovered by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Tickets were paid for by the ticket holders, not the Canadian taxpayer.
Broadcasting Industry March 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, if my colleague is concerned about the CRTC's decision, then I would ask her simply to call Mr. von Finckenstein at the CRTC. It was his decision and they are his policies. If she has an opinion on this, she can call him.
As far as Quebec artists are concerned, it is very clear that our government is making significant, responsible and efficient investments on behalf of taxpayers in the artistic community of our country. Gilbert Rozon, founder of the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, said that the Prime Minister recognizes the role that the arts play in the nation's economy. We keep our promises.
Broadcasting Industry March 24th, 2010
Mr. Speaker, we are certainly looking for opportunities for the transition that will occur in 2011. If my colleague has any ideas, we are open to suggestion.
Broadcasting Industry March 23rd, 2010
Mr. Speaker, did my colleague hurt himself?
As we have said on many occasions and as the Prime Minister just stated, our government made specific promises during the last election campaign, including some to CBC/Radio-Canada. We promised to increase or maintain its budgets. That is what we have done. We have increased the funding for the corporation thanks to our action plan to fight the economic crisis.
When the Liberals were in power, they cut the corporation’s budgets by 40%. They are the ones who are not on the side of CBC/Radio-Canada.