“That's interesting. I'll focus on my talking points. The CRTC can't be told what to do! I won't say if I agree about the 15%. But the other party abandoned culture by scrapping a tax. They didn't get anything for it! I'll keep saying they let down culture.”
What they said. What they meant.
Plain-language translations from the House of Commons.
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A motion to debate the CRTC ordering online streaming services to pay more tax. The Conservatives argued this tax increase will be passed on to consumers. The Bloc argued the real issue is the government failing to implement a tax on digital products that would fund culture. The debate devolved into partisan bickering, with the Conservatives accusing the Liberals of controlling the CRTC, and the Liberals bringing up unrelated past statements by Conservatives.
“I don't agree with your suggestion that our government isn't doing enough for arts. Look at Quebec! Quebec leads Canada in cultural support and has many Liberal MPs. The fact that we've provided any support at all should count as enough.”
“You Conservatives don't care about culture. Harper cut arts funding and insulted artists. My government funded National Acadian Day and other arts since 2015. You must prove to me that you have supported artists ever.”
“You Tories don't support the arts at all! I was here during Harper. He didn't support artists enough. But you today's Tories are even worse. The arts provide jobs and entertainment. You must value them.”
“I'm here to fight for the people of Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola. You talk a lot but say nothing. The government is scared to negotiate trade. They're playing politics instead of going to bat for Canadians. We need a deal and you should be ashamed.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and not saying anything anyone could pin down later.”
“I don't like the Conservative motion. They don't want to protect Quebec and Canadian culture. The streaming giants should contribute to our broadcasting system. It's about fairness, not a tax. I want Quebec to have its own communications regulator. The CRTC decision is a necessary step, but it's not enough. I have conditions for supporting it. I want the money to actually support Quebec content and French language. I don't want the cost passed on to consumers. The Liberals shouldn't do to culture what they did to the environment.”
“I think the Conservatives are wrong about Quebec culture. The Liberals also hurt culture. They removed a tax. I want my colleague to say how much money was lost because of that.”
“I want to cheer for my colleague's good personality. I am surprised the government removed a tax. That tax could have brought in billions to support culture. The government removed the tax hoping America would like us. I think that failed. The cultural industry needs that tax money to survive. I think the CRTC might reverse a decision to make America happy. I am worried the government keeps giving up on culture.”
“I respect that my colleague had his say in Parliament. I want to know if he knows the member he cheered for voted to remove the exact tax he wants put back. That minister also supported one kind of oil project review. And he voted to let the government make deals with Alberta. The tributes are nice but I don't get why my colleague is cheering for a guy who took so many positions he disagrees with.”
“I'm not going to answer the actual question. I want to keep talking about Laurier for some reason. He didn't pass that one digital tax our critic just pointed out right before I got up to talk. The guy was environment minister instead. But my main point is this: in the Bloc we can just argue for Quebec's interests. We don't have to balance different needs like the big parties do. I bet Laurier got tired of dealing with environmental trade offs. I bet you Conservatives are tired of catering to your Western members too.”
“I'm filling time saying nice things about Quebec culture and bilingualism. I won't bring up digital taxes that earlier speaker pointed out. I'd rather ask this Bloc member to agree with me that government-funded national media is good.”
“I will apologize to correct my earlier mistake about Laurier—Sainte-Marie. I agree Canada is bilingual. Quebec is different. We speak French. I want Quebec to have more power to protect French language. I hope government will not interfere with CRTC plan to regulate internet. I think we need more media regulation later.”
“I am here for my riding of Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola. I thank Bloc Québécois and I have a question. People struggle with many small costs. Winnipeg member says Liberals cut taxes for 22 million people. But people still need food banks. They can't pay mortgage or rent. Lettuce costs too much. Does my colleague from the Bloc agree we need to lower cost of living? Does he agree we have a crisis?”
“Many things are difficult right now. I know there are lines at food banks. But that doesn't mean we should stop protecting our artists and creators from big companies. Maybe we should look at oil companies that make lots of money and get tax breaks and subsidies. If we didn't give money to them maybe we could help people more.”
“I want to put you on the spot to explain why your party won't support this.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later.”
“I want to score points with voters by calling this a new tax. Tax bad, families good.”
“I want to make you state your real position on this issue. Tell us what you want the government to do.”
“You're lying. The government could stop the CRTC today if it wanted. The Prime Minister just wants to tax Canadians more and spend their money.”