Discussion · Government Orders
Patrick Bonin Bloc Québécois
“Quebec's book sector has asked for $10 million for years to support libraries and local books. The government wants to spend $43 billion on a pipeline instead. I want to know why the government will not grant this simple request.”
“Madam Speaker, the government obviously has many intentions, and we appreciate this openness. However, concrete action is needed. For example, Quebec’s book sector and Livres Québec have been asking for $10 million for years, for reasons such as supporting libraries and promoting the purchase of books from Quebec and even from Canada. That is not a huge amount. One could compare it to the $43 billion the government wants to invest in a pipeline. That would cover quite a few books. Let us get back to the $10 million. I would like to hear what my colleague has to say. What is the government waiting for to respond to such a simple request, which would be concrete and very beneficial for culture?”
Official Hansard
Madam Speaker, the government obviously has many intentions, and we appreciate this openness. However, concrete action is needed. For example, Quebec’s book sector and Livres Québec have been asking for $10 million for years, for reasons such as supporting libraries and promoting the purchase of books from Quebec and even from Canada. That is not a huge amount. One could compare it to the $43 billion the government wants to invest in a pipeline. That would cover quite a few books. Let us get back to the $10 million. I would like to hear what my colleague has to say. What is the government waiting for to respond to such a simple request, which would be concrete and very beneficial for culture?