Mauril Bélanger

[Publishing Industry, May 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, that is totally false. The American advantage as the result of the WTO decision was its unlimited access to the Canadian advertising market. This access has been reduced to 18% after three years. The figure of $300 million given by my colleague opposite is totally false.

There will be an impact, we acknowledge this. We will attenuate this impact and the way we will do so will be negotiated and discussed with industry representatives. A report will be submitted to cabinet once the discussions have been concluded. The members opposite will know the—

[Publishing Industry, May 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we acknowledge that an adjustment will be made when the agreement comes into effect. cabinet and the Prime Minister have given the Minister of Canadian Heritage the authority to discuss, with industry representatives, the terms of an offer of some kind to compensate for these measures they will have absorb.

These discussions began yesterday morning and should conclude very quickly so that everything may be submitted to cabinet soon.

[Publishing Industry, May 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, we did not succumb to U.S. threats. What we have said all along is that we were open to proposals from our neighbours to the south if our interests coincided.

Indeed we have had any number of meetings to that effect. The last time we met we agreed to some terms which will protect our magazine industry, ensure its future. At the same time we got our neighbours to the south to agree for the first time to the importance of a majority Canadian content. That is what we have obtained.

[Publishing Industry, May 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, there is no disagreement. It is majority Canadian content as was explained yesterday in the draft regulations, which will flow from the legislation, that were made public with the announcement of the agreement.

I refer the hon. member to the draft regulations that were published wherein it is explicitly said that the net benefit will include, inter alia, undertakings by foreign investors that result in a majority of original editorial content for the Canadian market in each issue of each periodical title.

[Publishing Industry, May 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, if we opened a door, it has to do with the fact that the Americans are now recognizing for the first time the legitimacy of demanding a mostly Canadian content, something they had refused to recognize until now.

In that sense, the agreement reached between our two countries is a victory for us, because we convinced the Americans to recognize the legitimacy of Canadian content in our cultural industries.

[Publishing Industry, May 27th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, following the ruling made by the World Trade Organization, the Americans had unrestricted access to the Canadian advertising market. Under this agreement, that access is now limited to 18%.

The Americans have recognized for the first time that if they want to exceed that percentage, publishers will have to offer a primarily Canadian content. This is a significant change on the part of our friends south of the border.

[Ottawa 67's, May 25th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, on May 23, last Sunday afternoon, the Ottawa 67's brought great honour and pride to Ottawa fans by winning the Memorial Cup in a nail-biting seven to six overtime win against the Calgary Hitmen.

Cheered by a crowd of over 10,000 energized fans, Ottawa's 67's gave their best to win the Memorial Cup which they last won in 1984. This time however it was even sweeter. They won at home in front of their fans.

My congratulations to the team players for an incredible year and for their stellar performance during the championship. Special congratulations are in order for coach Brian Kilrea who is a legend in his own right. Finally, congratulations to the new team owner Jeff Hunt who believes in this team and in this town.

[Carriage By Air Act, May 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I would be remiss if I did not try asking you again to seek unanimous consent, which I thought we had, to deal with the report stage and third reading of Bill C-64, without debate, to dispose of it. Will you seek unanimous consent to do that?

[Carriage By Air Act, May 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order, and if it is out of order I am sure you will tell me. I was hoping that you would seek unanimous consent, and I expect you would find it, to deal with all stages of Bill C-64 at the report stage and third reading without debate. Would you seek unanimous consent to do that before we proceed with Bill S-23?

[International Museums Day, May 14th, 1999]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to draw the attention of my colleagues in the House to the fact that May 18 will mark International Museums Day. The day's theme of the pleasures of discovery underscores the fact that museums are sources of entertainment and discovery.

In Canada, in addition to drawing some 5.5 million visitors a year, our museums are major employers and important educators.

This is why our government is proud to have increased the museums assistance program's budget by $2 million this year and to sponsor Bill C-64, which will institute the indemnification program for travelling exhibitions.

In addition, this summer, Young Canada Works will provide jobs for 800 young people in Canada's heritage facilities.

I join with my colleagues in this House in inviting all Canadians to take advantage of the cultural activities organized across the country to celebrate museums.