Discussion · Government Orders
Jean-Denis Garon Bloc Québécois
“We are debating the digital services levy. When we asked about protecting Quebec's cultural industries, the minister dismissed our concerns and told us to stop whining because the government funded a local food festival. That kind of answer shows the government does not take Quebec and French culture seriously.”
“Mr. Speaker, anything can be debated in the House. Today, we are debating the issue of the digital services levy. We asked questions about this during oral question period. This week, when my colleague, the member for Drummond, asked the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture a question, the minister stood up and literally asked my colleague why he was whining when the minister had funded the poutine festival in his riding. When we brought up our cultural industry, his response was that he had funded the poutine festival and that we should stop whining. I have nothing against poutine, but when a minister speaks to us in that tone and gives us answers like that, what does that tell us about the government’s commitment to francophone culture and Quebec culture?”
Mr. Speaker, anything can be debated in the House. Today, we are debating the issue of the digital services levy. We asked questions about this during oral question period. This week, when my colleague, the member for Drummond, asked the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture a question, the minister stood up and literally asked my colleague why he was whining when the minister had funded the poutine festival in his riding. When we brought up our cultural industry, his response was that he had funded the poutine festival and that we should stop whining. I have nothing against poutine, but when a minister speaks to us in that tone and gives us answers like that, what does that tell us about the government’s commitment to francophone culture and Quebec culture?