“You said a lot of things I already agree with. I want to talk about the digital services tax. If you love Quebec culture and media why did your government cancel that tax? The tax would have taken money from web giants and spent it on our culture and media. I want that tax.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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A bill about modernizing the military justice system, including changes to appointing the Provost Marshal General and removing the court martial's jurisdiction over certain sexual offences. During discussion, MPs mostly debated a completely different bill on taxing and regulating online streaming, traded partisan jabs, and discussed protecting and promoting Canadian and Quebec culture.
“I want to look good by asking the new minister a generic first question. I'm filling time with polite words.”
“The real issue is fairness. I want to force web giants to pay new taxes and fees to fund my preferred culture programs. I control where the money goes, but I'll call it 'independent institutions.' You should pay up to protect democracy.”
“I agree with my colleague. The Conservative Party is being pathetic today. They are siding with American companies against our culture and media sectors. Our culture and media sectors are struggling. They need support. American companies will use our cultural products to make profits here. But the Conservative Party doesn't want to tax them. That's not fair.”
“I want to tax tech giants and spend the money on Quebec culture and regional media. The government should bring back that tax, not negotiate. Will you help me pressure the government to tax them again?”
“I don't care about your riding's art scene. I want to tax tech companies and spend more on Quebec culture. Will you help me tax them?”
“I want to support our producers. The Liberals say they care about culture, but they're not doing enough. They didn't push for the digital services tax. The CRTC raised it because the Liberals didn't do their job. What does my colleague think about this?”
“I want the government to tax online platforms and use the money to subsidize local media. The government shouldn't be afraid to stand up to the Americans on this.”
“I don't like that you won't tax web giants. Traditional media pays taxes and supports culture, so web giants should too. It's only fair.”