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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1997
(Meeting No. 43)

[Text]

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 11:10 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chairman, Clifford Lincoln, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Guy Arseneault, Mauril Bélanger, Gaston Leroux, Clifford Lincoln, Pat O'Brien, Janko Peric and Beth Phinney.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: Susan Alter and René Lemieux, Research Officers.

The Committee proceeded to discuss future business.

After debate, the Committee adopted the following mandate and work plan:

MANDATE

Looking ahead to the long-term and the emerging century, to study and further define the role of the federal government in support of culture in Canada. The study would focus on activities in the arts, heritage, and the cultural industries.

WORKPLAN

1. Profile of instruments of Canadian culture:

- National cultural institutions--Heritage bodies--Cultural industries

2. (a) Present role and responsibilities of federal government within the context of Canadian culture (including cultural industries) and its modes of expression:

- Legislation and regulations--Subsidies--Crown corporations-- Other policy instruments

(b) Results: successes, etc.

3. Socio-economic impacts of Canadian culture & cultural industries (contribution to economy, jobs, etc.)

4. Impacts of:

- trade interdependence and treaties (NAFTA, WTO, etc.) and foreign investments--technological change on Canadian culture, institutions and industries

5. The comparative context:

An overview of cultural policy evolution and adjustments in comparable democracies (e.g. Council of Europe, E.U. members)

6. Conclusions

After debate, it was agreed,--That in relation to the adopted mandate:

1) That the Research Officers would prepare a discussion paper on items 1, 2 and 3 of the work plan for submission to the Members by March 16, 1997;

2) That Committee Members would provide the Clerk of the Committee a list of proposed witnesses prior to the week of March 16, 1997;

3) That the Committee would hold one or two meetings the week of March 16, 1997, for a briefing by the Research Officers on the discussion paper, to prepare a questionnaire based on the discussion paper to assist potential witnesses in the preparation of their appearance, and to review the proposed witness list;

4) That the Committee would commence hearings the week of April 6, 1997;

5) That the Minister of Canadian Heritage be invited to appear before the Committee on Thursday, February 13, 1997, at 10:00 a.m.

After debate, it was agreed,--That the Auditor General be invited to appear before the Committee to discuss chapters 31 and 32-- Parks Canada--of the Report of the Auditor General, November 1996.

After debate, it was agreed,--That the Committee invite representatives of Téléfilm and/or of the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund in relation to the administration of the fund.

At 12:19 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.


THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1997
(Meeting No. 44)

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 11:06 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 705, La Promenade, the Chairman, Clifford Lincoln, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Jim Abbott, Mauril Bélanger, Gaston Leroux, Clifford Lincoln, Pat O'Brien and Beth Phinney.

Acting Members present: Ronald Duhamel for Guy Arseneault; Bernie Collins for Janko Peric.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: René Lemieux and Susan Alter, Research Officers.

Witnesses: From the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund: Philip Lind, Chairman (Vice-Chairman of Rogers Communications Inc.); Bill Mustos, Executive Director, Licence Fee Program; François Macerola, Executive Director, Equity Investment Program (Executive Director of Telefilm Canada).

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee proceeded to a study of the mandate, management and operation of the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund.

Philip Lind made a statement, and with the other witnesses, answered questions.

Gaston Leroux moved,--That, whereas the funding for the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund will be coming from the taxpayers and cable subscribers,

Therefore,

Be it resolved that the administrators of the Fund change its name to the Taxpayers and Cable Subscribers Television Fund.

Debate arose thereon.

Jim Abbott moved the following amendment,--That the motion be amended by adding

a) before the word ``Taxpayers'' the following:

``The Canadian''; and

b) before the word ``Cable'' the following:

``the''.

After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was negatived, on division.

The question being put on the main motion, it was negatived on division.

Clifford Lincoln moved,--That, at the discretion of the Chairman, the Committee retain the services of Wanda Noel as a researcher effective from February 24, 1997 to March 14, 1997, to assist in its study of the evolving role of the federal government in support of culture in Canada and, that the contractor be paid at a daily rate of $599.00 in accordance with the contracting policy of the House of Commons up to a maximum of $8,985.00.

Debate arose thereon.

Mauril Bélanger moved,--That the motion be amended by deleting the words ``Wanda Noel as''.

After debate, the question being put on the amendment, it was agreed to.

Debate resumed on the motion, as amended,--That, at the discretion of the Chairman, the Committee retain the services of a researcher effective from February 24, 1997 to March 14, 1997, to assist in its study of the evolving role of the federal government in support of culture in Canada and, that the contractor be paid at a daily rate of $599.00 in accordance with the contracting policy of the House of Commons up to a maximum of $8,985.00.

The question being put on the motion, as amended, it was agreed to.

It was agreed,

1. That, Members of the Committee would submit additional names of candidates for the Researcher position to the Clerk by Friday, February 21, 1997;

2. That, if no other candidates are suggested, the services of Wanda Noel would be retained;

3. That, if additional candidates are suggested, at the discretion of the Chairman, the services of an appropriate candidate be retained.

After debate, it was agreed,--That Members of the Committee would provide the Clerk of the Committee before March 4, 1997, a list of cities they wish to visit in relation to the Committee's study on the evolving role of the federal government in cultural affairs.

At 1:06 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.


TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 1997
(Meeting No. 45)

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 11:08 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chairman, Clifford Lincoln, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Jim Abbott, Guy Arseneault, Mauril Bélanger, Clifford Lincoln, Pat O'Brien, Janko Peric and Beth Phinney.

Acting Member present: Paul Crête for Gaston Leroux.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: René Lemieux, Research Officer.

The Committee discussed its future business.

At 11:50 o'clock a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.


TUESDAY, MARCH 18, 1997
(Meeting No. 46)

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 11:10 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chairman, Clifford Lincoln, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Jim Abbott, Mauril Bélanger, Raymond Lavigne, Clifford Lincoln and Beth Phinney.

Acting Members present: Russell MacLellan for Pat O'Brien; Marlene Cowling for Janko Peric; and Paul Crête for Gaston Leroux.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: René Lemieux and Susan Alter, Research Officers. Consultant: Wanda Noel.

In accordance with its mandate under Standing Order 108(2) and its order of Reference dated Thursday, February 6, 1997, the Committee commenced its study of the evolving role of the federal government in support of culture in Canada.

The Committee was briefed by the researchers.

At 12:32 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.


THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1997
(Meeting No. 47)

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 11:11 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chairman, Clifford Lincoln, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Pierre de Savoye, Clifford Lincoln, Pat O'Brien and Janko Peric.

Acting Members present: Benoît Serré for Mauril Bélanger and Patrick Gagnon for Beth Phinney.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: René Lemieux, Research Officer.

Witnesses: From the Office of the Auditor General of Canada: L. Denis Desautels, Auditor General; Harry Ruthnum, Principal, Audit Operations; and Daniel Brunton, Consultant to the Audit Team.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee commenced its consideration of Chapters 31 and 32 of the November 1996 Report of the Auditor General (Heritage Canada--Parks Canada).

The Auditor General made a statement and, with the witnesses, answered questions.

At 12:21 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.


TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1997
(Meeting No. 48)

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 11:08 o'clock a.m. this day, in Room 208, West Block, the Chairman, Clifford Lincoln, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Jim Abbott, Guy Arseneault, Mauril Bélanger, Hugh Hanrahan, Clifford Lincoln, Pat O'Brien and Beth Phinney.

Acting Member present: Michel Guimond for Gaston Leroux.

In attendance: From the Research Branch of the Library of Parliament: René Lemieux and Susan Alter, Research Officers.

The Committee discussed its future business.

It was agreed,--That in relation to the Committee's travel plan:

1. only one researcher accompany the Committee;

2. the Members travel economy class;

3. the Members each use one (1) point; and

4. the budget be re-drafted.

At 12:05 o'clock p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Monique Hamilton

Clerk of the Committee


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