Mario Beaulieu

“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for LaSalle—Émard—Verdun. I want to start by discussing one of the statements in today’s opposition motion. It says that “culture is central to Quebec’s identity”. However, culture is also central to the identity of communities across Canada. I think every community is shaped by its culture. Culture is what enlivens communities and brings them to life. This reality affects not only Quebec, but also Canada and all the communities that make it up. I am very pleased to have the opportunity today to talk about this motion and inform not only Quebeckers, but also all Canadians of the commitments we have made to support creators and cultural workers, as well as the communities that benefit every day from their work. Think of the filmmaker telling the history of their region, the musician recording their first songs, or the journalist giving a voice to the people in their community. To complete their project, they need resources, partners and a long-term vision. Through their work, we learn about experiences that are different from our own. We are introduced to places, voices and stories that are hard to find elsewhere but that contribute to the vitality of our communities. However, we know that the conditions under which this work is accomplished are often difficult and that audience habits are changing. Revenue streams are shifting and funding is becoming more uncertain. Artists, production teams, businesses and local media are all affected by this pressure. Communities are also affected when a project cannot be carried out or when a story is at risk of not being told. When a news team scales back its activities, a region may lose some of its local coverage. As a government, we take these challenges very seriously. Culture is part of what brings us together here in Canada. A song can remind us of our childhood or stay with us for many years. A TV series can give us a glimpse into the life of another community that we are not familiar with. I would like to take this opportunity to return to the topic of Ishaka, the dance troupe I mentioned this week during members’ statements. I noted that it is a group of Burundian Canadians. Some of its members were born here in Canada, while others have brought Burundi’s rich culture to this country. Today, thanks to the cultivation and transmission of songs, poems, and the entire cultural heritage preserved by our elders, we see the youngest members of the Burundian community learning about this culture. They can now speak Kirundi and French, because in Burundi, the primary languages are Kirundi and French. They are learning songs that their grandparents sang many years ago. Last week, I had the opportunity to go on stage and dance with them. Even though I had never danced a Burundian dance in my life, I was lucky enough to share that moment with the members of Ishaka. I was able to reconnect with the culture passed down to me by my ancestors and parents and bring it back to life right here, in my own country, in the city of Ottawa. Above all, I was able to perform on the same stage at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa that superstars like Céline Dion have graced. It was a moment that moved me deeply. What touched me most was seeing young children, little girls and boys aged four of five, embracing this culture. The production brought together nearly 300 people and featured 54 songs on stage, all inspired by Burundian Canadian culture. The goal was not only to pass on Burundian culture but also to adapt it to modern times, within the context of our lives today, here in Ottawa. As I was saying, our government understands the importance of culture, the importance of language, the importance of songs, the importance of sharing poems and information, whether in French, English or any other language. Earlier, my colleague mentioned Punjabi, a language he uses and hears in his community. He also talked about the Filipino community in his riding. All of these cultural expressions need to be passed on through the networks and resources we have. That is why, as a government, we take the importance of funding and supporting our communities very seriously, so that they can continue to tell these stories, sing these songs and disseminate information in the languages spoken in communities across Canada and Quebec. These experiences create shared cultural references, bring generations closer together and strengthen a sense of belonging, as I just mentioned. We want creators from across Canada to be able to nurture these connections and we want new voices to be heard. This also means safeguarding the jobs and skills that make their work possible. In 2024, the audiovisual and interactive media sector contributed more than $20 billion to Canada’s GDP and accounted for more than 172,000 jobs. Sound recording and music publishing contributed more than $542 million to GDP and accounted for about 5,500 jobs. Behind these numbers are actors, technicians, editors and directors. There are also the businesses and suppliers that help sustain the economies of the regions where these productions are made. We want these people to be able to build careers here and pass on their knowledge to the next generation. Widespread appreciation for our musical talent, for example, shows what we can achieve. The accolades received by Charlotte Cardin, Louis-Jean Cormier and Talk are an excellent example. When it comes to supporting our musical artists, the Canada Music Fund is the main financial support program for commercially driven Canadian music. It aims to connect a wide range of Canadian artists with audiences around the world. The program provides financial support to Canadian artists and to music companies and music organizations owned and controlled by Canadians for a variety of activities that enhance the visibility of Canadian artists at home and abroad. In the last budget, we committed $48 million over three years to the Canada Music Fund, starting in 2026-27, to advance our artists’ careers while strengthening the music sector’s competitiveness and stability. The fund’s entire budget is redistributed by non-profit organizations like the Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings, in the anglophone market, and Musicaction, in the francophone market. The music industry generates economic activity through performances and drives other important economic sectors, including tourism, entertainment and advertising. It is also crucial to support Canada’s francophone music sector. The sector is confronting major challenges, and its listenership has dropped significantly. Supporting our francophone artists is essential. I would add that it is thanks to the determination of London’s francophone community that there are now 11 French-language elementary schools in London, Ontario. This community has long fought to keep this culture alive. I have a child who attends a French-language school, who can live their life in French, who can work in French, and who listens to music by French-Canadian artists. That is only possible because we have invested in preserving our culture, which is important. When I left Montreal to move to London, there were only four or five francophone elementary schools. Today, there are 11. Not only have we been able to continue living in French and preserve the francophone culture, but we have also seen that culture grow; the francophone community in London continues to grow. There are several reasons for this, of course, but it is partly because we work hard to live in French, continue speaking French and listen to music in French. I could speak at length about the importance of preserving francophone culture both outside and within Quebec. Unfortunately, I do not have enough time. With that, I am ready to take questions from my colleagues.”