Discussion · Government Orders
Andréanne Larouche Bloc Québécois
“The government backed down to big tech companies, costing us billions of dollars. Small businesses and cultural groups in Quebec are hurting because of this. The government promised 600 million dollars to help, but it has not even delivered that money, and it is not nearly enough. The government needs to admit its failure, pay out that money, and rethink its plan.”
“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, for whom I have a great deal of respect. I know that he also comes from a media background, and he clearly has a genuine passion for the cultural sector. I salute him. This was predictable. Fifteen months have passed, and all we have seen are setbacks. We were told it was time for “elbows up”. Earlier today, I met with businesses that are deeply concerned. The consequences are being felt across the cultural sector and by small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Quebec. Worse still, everyone is worried. Not only has the government failed to achieve any meaningful progress, but it gave in. It has tried to make up for that with token measures like this $600 million. That is nothing compared to the billions forfeited through its capitulation to the web giants. Even that $600 million remains undelivered. It amounts to little more than a band-aid on a gaping wound. I hope the government will be able to acknowledge this, deliver the $600 million and then engage in much deeper reflection. It is time we stood our ground.”
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Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, for whom I have a great deal of respect. I know that he also comes from a media background, and he clearly has a genuine passion for the cultural sector. I salute him. This was predictable. Fifteen months have passed, and all we have seen are setbacks. We were told it was time for “elbows up”. Earlier today, I met with businesses that are deeply concerned. The consequences are being felt across the cultural sector and by small and medium-sized enterprises throughout Quebec. Worse still, everyone is worried. Not only has the government failed to achieve any meaningful progress, but it gave in. It has tried to make up for that with token measures like this $600 million. That is nothing compared to the billions forfeited through its capitulation to the web giants. Even that $600 million remains undelivered. It amounts to little more than a band-aid on a gaping wound. I hope the government will be able to acknowledge this, deliver the $600 million and then engage in much deeper reflection. It is time we stood our ground.