Canadian Heritage committee  I'd be happy to stay, and that was my intention.

Canadian Heritage committee  Before I answer the latter part of the question, Statistics Canada does report on donations and sponsorships, and what it reports is that the small museums across the country, those under $100,000, actually do receive quite a lot through donations and sponsorships from individual

Canadian Heritage committee  I think it may be useful to talk about the two existing heritage programs that depend on the criterion of national significance. One, which is no longer in our portfolio, is the national historic sites program in which very clearly across the country there are national historic s

Canadian Heritage committee  I think there are two funding programs, one under the Canadian Culture Online program--and as I said, I'm not directly responsible for that, but I do know they have funded a number of aboriginal projects. The Virtual Museum of Canada, a number of first nations, Inuit, and I belie

Canadian Heritage committee  You're putting me in a rather awkward position, Mr. Kotto.

Canadian Heritage committee  As a public servant, I must say...

Canadian Heritage committee  Prior to the elections, we were involved in a policy development process. Right now, we're working with the new minister and answering this government's questions.

Canadian Heritage committee  The federal government plays an important role in this process, but there are also a number of equally important issues to consider, for instance, the whole question of fixed costs borne by institutions.

Canadian Heritage committee  It's really a combination of factors, given that various levels of government -- municipal, provincial and federal -- are involved in the process. Each level of government plays a different role. It all depends on the situation, on the local environment and also on what the Gove

Canadian Heritage committee  As I said, each government has its own issues...

Canadian Heritage committee  It's certainly a priority for the department to look at minority language communities, and across the country there are a number of francophone museums that are supported. I don't have, off the top of my head, the list in Ontario or in your area. I think the issue you're raising

Canadian Heritage committee  The minister needs to approve the documents. There's a process, as they go through the department, of due diligence. I honestly can't tell you today where in the process they are. We are certainly conscious of the urgency on this file.

Canadian Heritage committee  I've been with the National Museums of Canada for some 25 or 30 years now.

Canadian Heritage committee  That's correct.

Canadian Heritage committee  There certainly have been many consultations and considerable research has been done, which isn't unusual. Each government sets its own priorities and targets areas of interest, a process that requires some analysis by officials.