Canadian Heritage committee  There is a very good partnership between the regional development agencies, because they appreciate that the content we bring on the cultural side is a major attraction in terms of tourism.

Canadian Heritage committee  With the provinces, an initial discussion took place at the federal-provincial-territorial meeting of ministers of culture last year. They brought in a keynote speaker, Mr. Thorsell, former editor-in-chief of The Globe and Mail, who was actually very much involved in 1967 when he

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. Our experience in working with provinces on many of these commemorations is that they're always prepared to bring their funds to the table as well. Working together, we're able to achieve more. As I said earlier in regard to the example of the War of 1812, there was $28 mi

Canadian Heritage committee  As the minister explained, our programs enable us to commemorate important anniversaries, including those of cities. We are certainly going to consult representatives of the City of Montreal to look at what can be done for the 375th anniversary. It is important that we be able to

Canadian Heritage committee  To start with, we are in a difficult fiscal environment. We have to make sure that money is efficient and effective in everything we do. The money that is in our programs for arts and culture is being spent on arts and culture. It was the case for the Olympics and it will be the

Canadian Heritage committee  I think it's an excellent question. I think the minister spoke about the importance of making sure that what unites us as Canadians, all coming from different perspectives...and what have been the contributions from various people. Whether it's people who were here before the f

Canadian Heritage committee  My colleagues are the ones who do all the major events in Canada. Whether it's the royal tour last summer or the state funeral recently, they do all of these major events, and they are extremely good at it. As somebody who is fairly new to Heritage, I must pay tribute to the work

Canadian Heritage committee  I would also like to say that, for our existing programs, there is always the possibility of adjusting, with the minister's support, the criteria that reflect particular perspectives. We did that for 1812, and we can do it for 2017.

Canadian Heritage committee  We can follow up.

Canadian Heritage committee  I think that is a good question that you could ask Mr. Lacroix of Radio-Canada, but certainly in conversations with them, this is also where the evolution of new technology sometimes makes things less expensive. Nowadays, with digital cameras, with a feed through the Internet, yo

Canadian Heritage committee  With regard to programming, the CBC would have to answer. That's part of their independence. Having said that, I did read the testimony from Mr. Lacroix. He certainly spoke about partnerships. We've seen in other countries where sometimes there are alliances between broadcasters

Canadian Heritage committee  In fact, we would not answer it in any other appointment process either.

Canadian Heritage committee  It is an order in council appointment process. So it's a process that comes from Cabinet...

Canadian Heritage committee  Mr. Rodriguez, no one has forbidden us to answer the question; it is our role, our function, that prohibits us from answering it. It is an order in council appointment, and we can never publicly disclose any advice that is given to a Cabinet committee. René has described the proc

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. You probably also know, Mr. Rodriguez, that all departments and agencies are in exactly the same boat. Government and Crown departments and agencies had to absorb wage increases in the budget two years ago. This was in a situation of financial restrictions, fiscal constraint