CANADA House of Commons Debates VOLUME 142 Ï NUMBER 025 Ï 2nd SESSION Ï 39th PARLIAMENT OFFICIAL REPORT (HANSARD) Tuesday, November 27, 2007 Speaker: The Honourable Peter Milliken CONTENTS (Table of Contents appears at back of this issue.) Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address: http://www.parl.gc.ca 1379 HOUSE OF COMMONS Tuesday, November 27, 2007 The House met at 10 a.m. Before I get to the substance of my remarks, I also want to recognize the people of Ahuntsic. The name Ahuntsic calls to mind our historical heritage. Ahuntsic was the Huron name given to the French assistant of Récollet missionary Nicolas Viel, whom we have Prayers all heard of. Both men died in the rapids of the Rivière des Prairies in 1625. What is important is that today, Ahuntsic is a magnificent cultural ROUTINE PROCEEDINGS community. I wanted to pay tribute to the teams behind FestiBlues, Ï (1005) an international festival, as well as Cité Historia, Maison de la culture, Ressart, Artisans de la rue, Foyer de la danse, Musique [English] Multi-Montréal, Violon de Grand-mère, and our libraries and GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PETITIONS educational institutions. As hon. members can appreciate, Ahuntsic Mr. Tom Lukiwski (Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of is a riding where culture is really very important. I also want to pay the Government in the House of Commons and Minister for special tribute to the people behind the project to create the Maison Democratic Reform, CPC): Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing des arts et des lettres, a very important addition to our community Order 36(8) I have the honour to table, in both official languages, the and something we are going to work very hard for at the federal, government's response to one petition. academic, municipal and provincial levels. *** We have decided today to focus on issues that are important to the Bloc Québécois and Quebec because culture is an important part of SPECIAL CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ACT our identity and the survival of our nation—and by nation, I mean Hon. Chuck Strahl (Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Quebec. However, culture is also vital to Canada as a nation. The Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status same is true of the environment, which is a crucial issue for the Indians, CPC) moved for leave to introduce Bill C-30, An Act to generations to come. And what is this government doing? It is establish the Specific Claims Tribunal and to make consequential systematically proceeding with a demolition project and muzzling amendments to other Acts. the opposition in Bali. The same is true of broadcasting and telecommunications policy, where we are also seeing veiled (Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed) demolition projects—the government does not act directly—and *** where the government is keeping the opposition out of the debate. [Translation] Hence this morning's motion, aimed at setting the record straight COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE to some extent and raising the alarm with this government which, it should be remembered, is a minority government. The motion we are CANADIAN HERITAGE debating states, and I quote: Mrs. Maria Mourani (Ahuntsic, BQ): Mr. Speaker, I move that That, in the opinion of the Committee, any new directive to the CRTC from the the first report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Governor-in-Council amending the interpretation of the Broadcasting Policy for Canada or the Canadian Telecommunications Policy be first put before the House tabled on Wednesday, November 21, 2007, be concurred in. through the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for its consideration. I am pleased to rise for the first time in this House as the Bloc This motion, which I put forward at the Standing Committee on Québécois heritage critic. My first thoughts are for my colleague Canadian Heritage and which was adopted by a majority of from Saint-Lambert, who has done such a wonderful job as critic committee members, reflects a profound uneasiness with this since 2004. I thank him for all the work he has done. I would also government turning its back on its democratic duties when it comes like to assure all the stakeholders in the cultural community in to presenting its policy directives to Parliament. Quebec and even Canada that, like my friend, the member for Saint- Lambert, I will listen to them and be an ardent defender not only of If this government wants to let the free market prevail, that is its culture, artists and artisans, but also of the right of nations to exist as philosophy. But if it wants to amend the legislation governing the strong and different entities in the world. To me, cultural diversity CRTC, it should do it through the front door and let us have a debate should never disappear. in this House. 1380 COMMONS DEBATES November 27, 2007 Routine Proceedings In fact, if we are debating this issue here today, it is because of this Quebec and Canadian cultural communities and to the National government's unacceptable behaviour in refusing to put its policy Assembly. And she said yes to the financial free market. Regarding directives into a bill. This government, which is still a minority broadcasting, whether on the radio, television or Internet, the government, is bringing major policy changes in through the back minister's approach is, in fact, to defend the interests of large door, without any real debate. corporations. She treats culture first and foremost as a consumer product, even though Canada signed the convention on cultural It seems fundamental to us that the partners have their say on diversity. issues of such importance to Quebeckers and to Canadians as well. I think this conservative approach will be detrimental to culture Talking about changes to broadcasting is really something and to the Quebec nation, which the Prime Minister and his fundamental that affects the protection of culture for the Quebec government claim to recognize. Furthermore, in the speech made by nation as well as for the Canadian nation. That is why we want these the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official changes debated here in this House. Languages on November 6, there was no mention of the concept of Ï (1010) nation. In fact, there was no place in her speech for the Quebec nation. For the Conservative government, nation is merely a word If they want to change the legislation, they should introduce a bill. and is not linked with any action or real commitment thus far. We I know some people will insist that no major changes are being must denounce this, because we are not a “nation-concept”, but contemplated, and they will suggest that people are getting upset rather a real nation that truly exists and we must have our powers. It over nothing and that opposition members of Parliament are blowing is even more upsetting when this kind of behaviour is seen in a things out of proportion, but that is not true. On November 6, the minister from Quebec. current Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Women and Official At present, artists are worried, and with good reason. Languages made an important announcement. She did not make it here, nor did she make it in committee. She made it at the convention Ï (1015) of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. She said, “I challenge you to be open to change—because change will come.” Unfortunately, we cannot count on the “Quebeckness”—that is, a sense of belonging to a nation called Quebec—of any Conservative I would like to ask the minister what changes she thinks are in members to defend the interests of the Quebec nation when it comes store. Everyone here would like to know. The Conservatives are to broadcasting and in other areas. doing their best to avoid talking about these fundamental changes that will affect our ability to protect Canadian and Quebec culture. Under the Conservatives, Canada is unfortunately following a path driven by market forces rather than the defence of national Let us talk about these changes. During the ADISQ Gala on identities. Not only is the Quebec nation worried, but the Canadian October 28, in response to recent CRTC decisions that indicate a nation is also concerned. The Quebec nation must not be dragged shift toward policies that put market forces ahead of the duty to down this path, which, in the end, serves no purpose but assimilation protect culture and society, 18 groups of artists and businesses into what could be called global cultures. We are here to defend our operating in the cultural sector, including 17 that work mainly in culture of course, but I really encourage the other members from Quebec, strongly urged the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Status of Canada to also defend Canadian culture, just as we, the Women and Official Languages to use her power to issue policy Bloc Québécois, can do for Canadians. directives to the CRTC to avoid this major shift. We therefore repeat that, in order to support our culture, it is This protest from Quebeckers received unanimous support from crucial that the application of radio and television broadcasting Quebec's National Assembly. Then, on October 29, in response to policies be left to the Government of Quebec, our national this urgent appeal from the cultural sector, the Minister of Canadian government, and that it be allowed to determine the regulatory Heritage, Status of Women and Official Languages told my framework within its borders. colleague, the member for Saint-Lambert, that “the CRTC is an arm's length agency”.