“I want the member to explain why his party voted against the 2025 budget. It gave historic support to Quebec's cultural industries.”

“Mr. Speaker, I listened very carefully to my colleague from Jonquière—Hébertville—Pays‑des‑Bleuets. I think he really has a beautiful riding name. it is very typical of Saguenay—Lac‑Saint‑Jean. I would like my hon. colleague, with whom I sit on the Standing Committee on International Trade, to explain to me why the Bloc Québécois voted against budget 2025, which provided unprecedented support for Quebec’s cultural industries.”

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“The system meant to send money to cultural groups is tied up in court. That is why our government is funding them directly instead. I want to know why the member still supports a system that is not working.”

“Mr. Speaker, I, too, am a big fan of Pays-des-Bleuets, but I always thought that Lac-Saint-Jean was more blueberry country, not Saguenay. However, that is a discussion for another time. The CRTC mechanism has not yet allowed the money to flow to cultural institutions because it is being challenged in court at this time. That is why our government is providing funding to support the cultural sector. Why is the member so keen to preserve a mechanism that is not working?”

“Our government supports Quebec's culture. I want to know which part needs the most help and where the best opportunity is. Is it media, radio, television, music, or the arts?”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his speech. Our government continues to support Quebec’s cultural sector, but I want to know where the biggest problems are. Is it the media, radio, television, music or maybe the arts? Where is the best opportunity?”

“Streaming companies that make money in Canada must help pay for Canadian shows and music. Our laws make sure online platforms support Canadian and French-language creators, and help people find their work. We are also investing 600 million dollars in our music, film, and television industries to protect Canadian jobs and culture.”

“Mr. Speaker, I will be sharing my time with the member for Madawaska—Restigouche. I am very pleased to have the opportunity today to discuss the essential place of francophone culture in the digital environment, as well as the tools we, as a government, have to support the creators, artists, journalists, cultural workers and businesses that bring Canadian stories to life. Culture is at the heart of Canadian identity. It brings us together, helps us better understand our communities and contributes to the vitality of our democracy. Songs we sing together, programs that spark conversations and news stories that help us understand current events all contribute to our sense of belonging. In Quebec, as across Canada, the cultural sector plays a vital economic role. Behind every audiovisual production, every album, every performance venue and every newsroom are workers, businesses, skills and careers that contribute to the prosperity of our country. At the same time, the media and cultural production sectors are going through a period of profound transformation. Consumption habits have changed rapidly. Traditional revenues are under pressure, business models are evolving, and financing has become increasingly uncertain for many cultural activities. In this context, it is essential that we preserve the strength of our cultural ecosystem while adapting to today’s digital realities. For more than half a century, Canada’s broadcasting system has been guided by a fundamental principle: Those who benefit from access to the Canadian market should also contribute to its development. This principle has helped support Canadian creation, sustain our artists and ensure that our stories reach audiences across this country. However, the media landscape has changed significantly in recent years. Online streaming services now play a central role in how Canadians watch films and television series, discover music and access content. This is precisely why Parliament modernized the Broadcasting Act through the Online Streaming Act. The objective was not to preserve the system exactly as it existed in the past but to ensure that it remained relevant and effective in the digital age. The Online Streaming Act established that streaming services that benefit from access to the Canadian market should also contribute to the creation and promotion of Canadian content. All broadcasters, whether traditional or online, should make a meaningful contribution to Canada’s broadcasting ecosystem. Within this framework, the CRTC is responsible for implementing directions established by Parliament and defining the obligations that apply to various participants in the cultural system. These measures are particularly important for francophone creators. The act recognized the unique situation of French in Canada and North America, as well as the specific challenges associated with creating, distributing and ensuring the discoverability of French-language content. In a global digital environment where the volume of available content is innumerable, discoveries remain an ongoing challenge for francophone works. It is not enough for our artists to create exceptional content. Audiences must also be able to find it, discover it and engage with it. That is why the issue of discoverability occupies an increasingly important place in cultural policy discussions both in Canada and around the world. Alongside this regulatory work, our government recognizes the challenges facing the cultural sector and the importance of providing the stability it needs during this period of transition. It is in this context that this government announced a $600-million investment to support Canada’s audio and audiovisual sectors. Work is continuing on the implementation of this commitment, and we will share further details as it progresses. The government’s objective remains clear. We must support the creation of Canadian content to help ensure the future of our artists and cultural workers, and to maintain services that remain accessible and affordable to Canadians. We are also undertaking a broader examination of the institutions, programs and support mechanisms that contribute to the development of Canada’s audiovisual sector. We want to ensure that our policies continue to reflect the realities of today’s industry, enabling creators and cultural businesses to thrive in an ever-evolving environment. This important work must be guided by the communities our systems serve. Francophone creators must be able to tell their stories and reach their audiences in Quebec and across Canada. Indigenous creators must be able to share their perspectives and ensure indigenous languages are heard. Ultimately, the decisions we make today are not only about funding mechanisms or regulatory frameworks. They are about the jobs, businesses and talent that contribute to Canada’s economy. They are about the stories we choose to tell, the voices we want to hear and the cultural heritage we hope to pass on to future generations. Protecting our culture means protecting our ability to tell our own stories in our own languages, to ensure they continue to reach audiences here in Canada and around the world.”

“We know that artists and cultural workers are important for sharing Canadian and Quebec stories here and around the world. Their work matters. The industry is changing, so we are taking a different approach and need more time to do it.”

“Mr. Speaker, the government understands that artists, creators, cultural workers and institutions are essential to ensuring that Canada and Quebec stories, perspectives and creativity continue to reach audiences not only at home but around the world as well. This is important because their work matters and should not be taken for granted. That is why we took that very first step that we needed to take. Because the world of this industry is very much transient and is transforming, we have now decided, because it is not going through, to take different measures, and we need time for that—”

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“Culture is important, which is why we put $770 million into it in the budget. The Bloc voted against that money. Big internet companies make money here, so they should pay to support our culture too. Our first plan did not work, so we are trying something new.”

“Mr. Speaker, I understand why this is important for everyday Canadians. This is an affordability question as well. The culture sector is important to Quebec, and we understand that. That is why in the 2025 budget we included $770 million for it. I do not understand why the Bloc Québécois would vote against that and now ask a question about why we are trying to put this bill to consumers. Just like how broadcasting is making money and paying it back, the giant Internet industry should be paying. It should not be taking this for granted. That is why we tried to do that. We realized it did not work, and we are trying something different.”

“Could my colleague explain more about her work on the Library of Parliament committee and how it helps the government support the arts and culture?”

“Mr. Speaker, my colleague talked about the work she was doing on the Library of Parliament committee and how it can inform the government’s continued support of the cultural sector. I wonder if she could elaborate on her support there and the work of that committee as well.”

“The Library of Parliament does important work and shares Canadian and Francophone culture. We also renewed our plan to help Canadian arts reach other countries. We are investing 95 million dollars over five years, and 19 million dollars each year after that, to attract talent.”

“Mr. Speaker, the Library of Parliament does very important work, and Canadian culture and francophone culture are exhibited through it as well. Canada’s creative export strategy is very important, and it was announced in the spring economic update that it was permanently renewed, with an investment of $95 million over five years and $19 million per year thereafter, so that we could attract talent and give equal—”

“Our government has invested over $1.5 billion in Canadian culture and the arts over the past year. Culture is part of who we are, it brings our communities together, and it adds tens of billions of dollars to our economy. Federal money helps fund local festivals, gardens, and artists in my riding, and I am proud that we support them.”

“Mr. Speaker, I am very happy to discuss support for the cultural sector today. Our government has always been committed to supporting culture and creators, as evidenced by the additional $600 million we are investing to support the cultural sector in Canada. That announcement from June is in addition to the funding already announced in budget 2025. Over the last 12 months, we have announced more than $1.5 billion in funding to support the cultural sector across the country. As a reminder, these investments are being made at a time of economic uncertainty. I think that speaks to the importance our government places on supporting culture. I believe supporting culture is crucial, because our culture is what brings our Canadian identity to life and reinforces our sense of belonging. Our cultural references are what make us truly Canadians. Culture is about telling our stories and our history. Culture is also our legacy for future generations. It is not frozen in time, because artists contribute to our evolving identity through their creations. In addition to being a central part of our Canadian identity, arts and culture are a driver of economic prosperity. We need only think of all the economic benefits that cultural events generate for Canadian communities. These include performances, festivals, art galleries, the tourism appeal of having a packed calendar of events, and the local jobs that these events create. According to the data, the cultural sector contributes tens of billions of dollars to the GDP every year, making it a major economic contributor. What is more, arts and culture contribute to the vitality of our communities. Cultural events and festivals are places for the community to gather. They strengthen the social fabric. When we see local creators succeed, it makes us proud. There is a wealth of local talent in my riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. The whole community celebrates when local artists shine in major performances, in national or international music competitions, or in any other art form. It is always a joy to see local artists succeed. I want to take this opportunity to underscore the important work being done by our local cultural organizations and societies. Small community organizations are often the ones that keep culture alive, organize events, activities and different workshops, or program regular live performances and events. Without the work of teams and volunteers, our communities would go without the cultural activities they have now. While they often have few staff and limited resources, their volunteers are dedicated. I therefore want to commend the work of everyone involved in the cultural life of our society and thank them for it. I would also like to take this opportunity to highlight the federal government’s support for these organizations. Through its various funding programs, the government provides support to the Société culturelle de la Baie des Chaleurs in my region, as well as organizations in Kedgwick, Hauts-Plateaux, Chutes and Saint-François, and the Centre des arts La petite église in Edmundston, to name just a few. Those are all cultural organizations in my riding that have all received federal funding over the past year through various programs, enabling them to provide high-quality cultural programming to the people of our region. When we talk about supporting the cultural sector, we must also support the venues and institutions where culture is brought to life in our communities. Let me give a concrete example. In my region of Madawaska, the New Brunswick Botanical Garden is an important contributor to the cultural vitality of the area. In addition to showcasing our local flora and offering visitors the opportunity to explore beautiful themed gardens, the botanical garden also hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year that regularly receive support from the federal government. I am thinking in particular of the Sortie branchée en Acadie, which is an event that takes place every August. It is a truly festive occasion at the Botanical Garden. There are musical performances by local and visiting bands, which bring together many people from the community. Many people come from all over to see the talented musicians performing at the Botanical Garden. It is also a time for families to come together. There is a whole range of activities, particularly cultural activities. For the 2026 event, the federal government contributed close to $20,000. In the fall, in early October, I attended the Grande Grouille festival at the Botanical Garden, another important event in my region. The Grande Grouille is truly a special event because the Botanical Garden is decked out in fall colours. There are Halloween decorations and thousands of pumpkins, some of which are lit up. Visitors can stop by during the day or night. A whole range of activities are available, including musical performances. Children paint pumpkins in schools. Competitions are also organized. It really is a wonderful, community-building event, which attracted over 25,000 visitors this year. Again, I am happy that our government contributed in various ways to this event’s success. As part of the building communities through arts and heritage program, the botanical garden received $30,000 to organize the Grande Grouille and Jardin emballé. Jardin emballé will take place in November. I was saying that the Grande Grouille is a celebration of fall. Jardin emballé will offer a taste of Christmas magic. There will be a big public market showcasing local makers. There will be music again. This is another example of a cultural event hosted at the botanical garden, and I am very pleased that my government contributed to it. When I talk about supporting arts and culture, I also think about how important it is to support our festivals. I can say that, during the summer, there is a lot going on in the riding of Madawaska—Restigouche. There is an event every week. There are tons of festivals livening up our communities. They bring people together and attract visitors to our region. They give local artists a chance to perform on stage. They also allow us to welcome artists from outside the area. There are farmers’ markets where local artisans can showcase their products. All these summer activities keep our communities vibrant and contribute to the cultural life of the region I represent. Through various programs, the federal government provides some of the funding for our festivals. I am thinking in particular of the Grand Falls Potato Festival, the Saint-Quentin Western Festival, the Kedgwick Fall Festival, the Salmon Festival, the Campbellton Bluegrass Festival, and the Sortie branchée en Acadie festival I just mentioned, to name just a few examples. These events bring our communities to life and contribute to our cultural vitality, and I am very pleased to see, once again, that our government is supporting these types of events. Speaking of arts and culture, I would like to highlight a special event that takes place in my riding. The Rendez-vous des artistes is held every year in Saint‑Léonard, in the municipality of Vallée-des-Rivières. This symposium is the largest gathering of painters and sculptors in the maritime provinces, giving visitors the opportunity to see more than 100 artists at work in one place. It is really amazing because they set up huts along the paths in a park, so people can walk the whole route and admire the work of artists from New Brunswick and beyond. Last summer, I had the opportunity to speak with some artists. They told me that the symposium in Saint-Léonard is often their favourite summer event, particularly because of the warm welcome they get and the layout with the huts. This year, the federal government once again provided funding to the Rendez-vous des artistes to support the organization of this event. I want to highlight this because, when we talk about supporting the cultural sector, I think of events like this one in Saint-Léonard. It is a cultural hot spot and brings a community to life. It helps to showcase artists and sculptors from New Brunswick, as well as those from elsewhere. Since we are discussing the various programs that support culture, I would also like to mention the Celebrate Canada program. This program provides funding for major celebrations, including Canada Day and National Acadian Day. National celebrations in Ottawa certainly have their place, but we must also celebrate locally, thereby honouring our Canadian identity, or our Acadian identity on August 15. It is essential that local communities have the resources they need to organize celebrations during the summer, whether on July 1 or August 15. Those are very busy days indeed. We tour my whole riding of Madawaska—Restigouche to experience all the different celebrations taking place, and I can confirm that federal funding is a big help, especially considering that budget 2025 doubled the funding for National Acadian Day this year. This made a tremendous difference for our communities. It ensured that we could have amazing festivities, hire local talent and truly celebrate our Canadian and Acadian identity. In closing, let me reiterate that supporting culture and creators is a priority for our government, as evidenced by the concrete measures we are taking, the many different programs we are offering and the investments of more than $1.5 billion we have made over the last year alone.”

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“Our government gave over $1.5 billion to arts and culture in the past year, plus an extra $600 million. I meet regularly with arts groups, including French-speaking groups outside Quebec, to make sure our programs meet their needs.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out to my colleague that the $600 million was in addition to the investments already provided for in budget 2025. More than $1.5 billion has been invested to support the cultural sector in the past 12 months alone. I meet with representatives from many cultural organizations in my riding, as well as from national organizations working in the arts and culture sector. We are working together to determine whether the current programs meet their needs. Sometimes we have discussions about how we could improve certain programs to better meet the needs of different creators. I am thinking in particular of organizations that represent the francophone cultural community outside Quebec. I speak regularly with key players in this community, and support for the cultural sector is one of the topics we discuss.”

“The old system gave no money to cultural groups on the ground. Our plan gave them $600 million this year. At the same time, we are still working on our online streaming rules and talking with other countries.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague, whom I miss on the Standing Committee on Official Languages now that he is no longer a member. I would like to point out that, under the old approach, no amount of money reached the cultural communities on the ground. Under the approach we have promoted, this year, $600 million has been allocated directly to support cultural communities. We are also working on a new strategic direction for the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. As we continue that work, and while we are also holding discussions with our international partners—indeed, Canada does not operate in a vacuum either—we are providing money directly on the ground. That means we are able to do both of these things at the same time.”

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“The government doubled funding for National Acadian Day. I want the member to explain why this money is important and how it helps minority language communities.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my hon. colleague from Madawaska—Restigouche for his speech and for his work on official languages. In his speech, he mentioned that the government had doubled the funding for National Acadian Day. Could he talk about the importance of this funding and its impact on our official language minority communities?”

“Our government doubled the funding for National Acadian Day and made it permanent. This helps our communities celebrate Acadian culture and fund our yearly August 15 concert.”

“Mr. Speaker, Acadian civil society had been calling for this for a long time, so I am very pleased that we not only doubled the funding for National Acadian Day, but also made it permanent. This funding enables our local Acadian communities to celebrate our Acadian identity in a big way. August 15 is an important day for us, and it is integral to our identity as Acadians. It is when we come together as a community and express our pride. We hold tintamarres, make music and participate in a wide range of family activities. This funding gives our communities the means to celebrate on a grand scale. It also helps us organize and fund the big August 15 concert, which was held in my colleague’s riding this year and will take place in Campbellton, in my riding, in the summer of 2027. I am really looking forward to taking part in that event next summer.”

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“Our cultural sector needed money right away, so we are giving it $600 million this year. We can support these artists now while we keep working on rules for online streaming.”

“Mr. Speaker, I would say that the key word in my colleague’s question is “could have”. No money was paid to the sector. However, this year, over the next few months, $600 million will be distributed to support the cultural community thanks to the approach we have taken. In fact, we have already announced that we are working on a new policy direction for the implementation of the Online Streaming Act. While we were discussing the best approaches with our international partners and looking into these issues, we were aware that the cultural sector needed an immediate injection of funding. That is why we announced an investment of $600 million this year. We can provide funding and continue to work on implementing the act at the same time.”

“Quebec Liberal MPs care deeply about Quebec culture and the French language, and we defend them. Our budget gave record support to Quebec's cultural industries. I want the member to explain why she voted against it.”

“Mr. Speaker, I listened very carefully to the speech by my colleague, the member for Laurentides—Labelle. I am from the Lower Laurentians. My colleague is from the Upper Laurentians. She spoke about the influence of Quebec and Canadian culture. I can assure her that the 44 Liberal MPs from Quebec who sit on this side of the House care deeply about Quebec culture and the French language. There is no doubt that we defend them wholeheartedly. Earlier, she mentioned festivals. Every year in my riding, we hold a buckwheat pancake festival. That is culture. Everyone is invited to join us. I would like to ask my colleague a specific question. Given that my colleague from Laurentides—Labelle voted against the 2025 budget, which provided unprecedented support for Quebec’s cultural industries, why did you vote against it?”

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“Life is too expensive right now. Raising fees for the broadcast regulator will only increase costs for people in Quebec. It is the wrong time to do this.”

“Mr. Speaker, we are currently going through an affordability crisis. Does my colleague understand that hiking contributions to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission will increase costs for Quebeckers? Is this the right time to do something like that? Is it justified?”

“Our government spent more than $1.5 billion over the last year to support culture. That money funded events that support Canadian, Quebec, and Acadian identity. I want the member to admit that this shows our strong support for culture.”

“Mr. Speaker, I want to remind my colleague that, over the last 12 months, our government invested over $1.5 billion to support the cultural sector. These sums helped support many cultural events that have an impact on our identity as Canadians, Quebeckers or Acadians. Here is my question for my colleague: Given the current economic uncertainty, is a $1.5-billion investment not a testament to the importance given by our government to supporting culture and a multitude of programs that have real impacts on the ground?”

“Global streaming services must help fund Canadian culture. We are working on how they should do that. The 600 million dollars is temporary support for the industry while we figure it out. I want the member to think about that.”

“Mr. Speaker, it is important to recognize that, on the issue of global streaming services, it is not a question of whether they should. They must be able to contribute to our cultural sector. It is not if, but how. That is something the Government of Canada is working on. The $600 million is an interim solution so there is money to support the industry. Could the member reflect on that comment?”

“Culture is vital to Quebec, and our creators need help right now. Streaming company fees are tied up in court, so artists are not getting that money. That is why our government gave $600 million a year in direct funding to the arts, on top of other budget investments. The Bloc voted against that budget, and their motion would only cause more court delays. We must reject this motion.”

“Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to mention that I will be sharing my time with the member for Edmonton Strathcona . There are things that cannot be measured in dollars. There is a refrain that an entire people knows by heart, a show that unites three generations in front of the same screen, a news report that forces us to face the truth; that is culture. It is not a luxury that people treat themselves to when everything is going well. It is the thread that connects us to one another and that obviously connects Quebec, la belle province, to the world. I would like to thank my Bloc Québécois colleagues for dedicating this day to culture. We completely agree on the facts: Culture is at the heart of Quebec’s identity; it sustains our economy, and it is now weathering a storm. I am from Montreal North, Bourassa. Where I come from, culture is not an abstract concept. It is a young artist recording their first track in their basement. It is a teenager filming her neighbourhood with her phone because no one else is telling its story. It is a family newly arrived in Quebec discovering the Maison culturelle et communautaire de Montréal-Nord and the artists who give voice to their new community. For these young people, culture is often the first door that opens. It is a path to self-confidence, to a career and, ultimately, to a full and equal place in Quebec society. The question, then, is not whether we should support culture; of course we should. The real question is how can we support it here and now, in practical terms, without leaving our creators by the wayside. What exactly is at stake? Let us remember what is at stake. In 2024, audiovisual and interactive media generated more than $20 billion in gross domestic product and more than 172,000 jobs. Sound recording and music publishing generated over $542 million and some 5,500 jobs. Behind these figures are faces, screenwriters, sound engineers, film crews and local journalists. Around them are workshops, suppliers and restaurants that depend on every production and every event for their existence. That talent shines. This year, the National Film Board of Canada won the Oscar for best animated short film with The Girl Who Cried Pearls. The money we are talking about today is tied up in court, but let us not lose sight of reality while Quebeckers are watching us. The Online Streaming Act brought platforms into our system. In 2024, the CRTC required them to contribute 5% of their revenue from their sales in Canada. That decision has since been challenged in court. In May, the CRTC increased the requirement to 15%, but everyone knew that a new court battle would ensue. In the meantime, who is paying the price for the wait, for the delay? Who is really paying the price for this opportunity cost? It is not the platforms; it is the creators. No money comes from levies stuck in court. No movie production can be funded. No newsroom can be saved. That is why, on June 3, our government made a clear, informed and responsible choice to give $600 million a year to the audio and audiovisual sectors. That is $600 million a year now, not in five years or following a legal proceeding. This is a firm commitment from the government. As we are permitted to under the act, we also provided the CRTC with new policy directions that set out clear priorities: French content, local news, indigenous stories and official language minority communities. As a government, we are refusing to let families foot the bill. In my riding of Bourassa, people are counting every penny. Culture must therefore remain accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it. We are talking about an additional amount here. What has been added? This $600 million is on top of the investments in the most recent budget. That brings me to the comments that I heard from my Bloc Québécois colleagues today. When stating facts and quoting numbers, it is better to take the entire amount into account. The sum total is not $600 million. The calculation must include every other investment, ant the total then becomes $1.15 billion: CBC/Radio-Canada got some money; $150 million over three years for Telefilm Canada; $127.5 million for the Canada Media Fund; $48 million for music; not to mention the National Film Board, the Canada Council for the Arts and TV5MONDE+, which showcases French-language original content. That channel is really dear to me. Before I came to Quebec, my window into Quebec culture was TV5MONDE. It was really important for me to mention it. Unfortunately, the Bloc Québécois voted against that budget and blocked it. They cannot ask for resources to support culture after blocking all the investments I just listed. They support culture in the morning and vote against it in the evening. That is critical: There needs to be some consistency between what they are saying today and how they voted previously. They obviously should have voted for the investments announced by the government, not against them. An important point must also be made. I encourage all members to read the recent articles published by Radio-Canada and La Presse on misinformation, because culture also includes access to reliable information. In an age of misinformation, an independent journalist who verifies facts, conducts investigations and provides context is a safeguard for our democracy. Journalism is one of the pillars of our democracy. That is why we are undertaking consultations on extending the labour tax credit for journalism to audio and audiovisual production. Let us now turn to the future. We are also paving the way for the next generation. An advisory group is currently examining the modernization of our audiovisual institutions. No decisions have been made, but one guiding principle remains clear: Creators must retain ownership of their work and the value it generates. Having taught at university and worked in artificial intelligence, I say with conviction that AI will profoundly transform cultural and artistic creation. It is up to us to ensure that it serves our artists rather than replacing them. We must ensure that it acts as a tool that strengthens and supports their work rather than displacing it. Achieving that goal requires investment in training and respect for the work of creators. I want to go back to the motion itself. The Bloc Québécois is asking us to respect the CRTC. We respect its independence, but the law also gives the government the responsibility of giving it direction. That is what we are doing openly before the House. Locking in a framework that is bogged down in court is not protecting culture. It is prolonging the wait and creating delays. The Bloc Québécois is asking us to provide $600 million. We share their sense of urgency. It is precisely because we share that sense of urgency that we have opted for direct funding rather than waiting for the litigation to be resolved. In closing, I want to go back to this young man from Montreal North, leaning over his microphone in his basement. I want him to know that his story matters, that his voice matters, that his language matters and that, tomorrow, there will be a strong industry ready to welcome him. The choices we make today, as a government, are not just about jobs and businesses. They decide what stories we tell and what stories we will tell our children, our young children, and what stories the world will hear from us.”

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“I want to correct the member from the Bloc Québécois. The amount is 1.15 billion dollars, not 600 million dollars. That 600 million dollars is a government promise from outside the CRTC. The old CRTC approach did not work, and what works in other places does not always work here.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from the Bloc Québécois for his attention. Once again, I have to straighten a couple of things out. As I mentioned in my speech, it is not $600 million; it is $1.15 billion. There is a verb tense issue in my colleague’s question. He used the wrong tense. He should have said that the $600 million is a commitment from the government that will come from outside the CRTC. I hope that my colleagues in the Bloc Québécois will recognize that the previous CRTC approach did not work. I am using the correct verb tense: It did not work. Not everything that works elsewhere has to work here as well.”