Shelly Glover

[Tougher Penalties for Child Predators Act, November 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this is the first time I have risen to take part in this discussion, but I had to rise because I cannot believe what I am hearing.

What I have heard is because the system is not perfect, the NDP thinks we should throw the baby out with the bathwater. Because the system is not perfect, the New Democrats think we ought to forget that these children are being sexually abused, and that I cannot tolerate.

Having worked in the child abuse unit for many years, having seen these horrific crimes, having seen the horrific injuries to these children, I implore NDP members to think about what they are saying. Process is not what is most important in this discussion; it is the protection of children.

We have the victims bill of rights. Would the member please tell us that she is in favour of balancing the system and giving that confidence to the victims by supporting the victims bill of rights, which will help them to have confidence that we will protect these children better? I hope she will stand in her place and agree that is what our victims need and that she will support that bill as well.

[CBC/Radio-Canada, November 18th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, our thoughts and prayers remain with the families affected by the tragedies in Moncton. Nonetheless, the changes at Radio-Canada have nothing to do with what happened that day.

As I said before, the crown corporation is attracting fewer viewers, even though it receives more than $1 billion every year in taxpayer subsidies. The changes are directly related to that decline.

The corporation is responsible for its own decisions. It is up to the CBC to provide Canadians with programming they want in English and French.

[CBC/Radio-Canada, November 18th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I have repeated several times in this House that the CBC receives over $1 billion from taxpayers. In fact, their viewership has declined despite getting over $1 billion in direct subsidies every single year from taxpayers.

Changes at the CBC are a result of both declining viewership and declining revenues. The CBC is responsible for its own choices. It is up to it to produce, both in English and French, programming that Canadians want to watch and see.

[CBC/Radio-Canada, November 18th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, our government makes appointments using a rigorous, transparent, competency-based selection process.

Our goal is to appoint the most competent candidates for each position and to reflect Canada's linguistic and regional diversity. The government does not interfere with the democratic rights of board members. Once again, I repeat, CBC's problems are due to declining viewership and changes in the sector. We will continue to ensure that it—

[CBC/Radio-Canada, November 17th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I just said in French, I understand perfectly well the important role the CBC plays. That is why we provide it with over $1.1 billion every year.

I want to repeat the quote from the president of the CBC with regard to this issue, “Our employees are currently engaged in a transformation process aimed at helping us meet the challenges of a rapidly changing media environment to which no mainstream broadcaster is immune”.

That is the point. CBC is not the only one faced with this changing demographic in the television and broadcasting industry. We must all adapt, but it is getting $1.1 billion.

[CBC/Radio-Canada, November 17th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I said today, I fully understand the important role that CBC/Radio-Canada plays. It is attracting fewer viewers than before, despite the fact that it is receiving more than $1.1 billion from taxpayers each year.

The changes to CBC/Radio-Canada are a result of that decrease. The corporation is responsible for its own activities. I leave that to the corporation.

Once again, I fully understand the important role that CBC/Radio-Canada plays.

[CBC/Radio-Canada, November 17th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, he was actually the one who made cuts when he was minister.

The president of CBC/Radio-Canada had this to say about the weekend's events: “All of our employees are currently engaged in a transformation process that will enable us to meet the challenges of the new media world that are facing all large broadcasters.”

CBC/Radio-Canada is attracting fewer viewers than before, despite the fact that it is receiving more than $1 billion in direct subsidies from taxpayers each year. The changes to CBC/Radio-Canada are a result of that decrease. It is up to CBC/Radio-Canada to deal with it.

[Telecommunications Industry, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, today's decision by the CRTC to get rid of the 30-day cancellation notice period to cancel cable is very welcome and consistent with our government's “consumer first” agenda.

The cancellation notice was an irritant to Canadians and the CRTC heard them loud and clear. On January 23, Canadians who want to end their cable service will be able to do so without giving notice and without facing extra charges.

Our government will continue our consumer first agenda, and we will continue with programs such as ending fees for paper bills in the telecom sector and delivering choice for consumers in television channels.

[CBC/Radio-Canada, November 6th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, once again the NDP is attacking Canadians who have made an enormous contribution to this country.

As I said yesterday, the CBC is a Crown corporation that operates at arm's length from the government. It will continue to do so. The NDP should realize that those who give their time to serve this country should not be attacked here in Parliament.

[Canadian Heritage, November 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the 150th anniversary of Confederation is an event that will be celebrated across the country. We are still waiting for an announcement, and we encourage all municipalities and provinces, as well as all organizations, to plan their events in order to celebrate this occasion with tremendous pride.

Since we are talking about this event, I should say that we are on our way to 2017. We are celebrating a number of events now.