CHPC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 3:32 p.m. this day, in Room 209, West Block, the Chair, Gary Schellenberger, presiding.

Robert Sirman made an opening statement and answered questions.

At 4:43 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:49 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Committee proceed to the consideration of matters related to Committee business

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Maka Kotto, — That the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage summon the senior executives of Telefilm Canada, the members of its Board of Directors in November 2004, and Stéphane Odesse. The item on the agenda will be a review of the selection process and criteria for a film event in Montreal in 2005.

After debate, by unanimous consent, the motion was allowed to stand.

On motion of Ed Fast, it was agreed, — That the Committee report to the House that it has examind the qualifications and competence of Robert Sirman and finds him competent to perform the duties of the position of Director of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Charlie Angus moved, — That the proposed travel budget in the amount of $ 50,815.00 for the Committee's to attend the Banff World Television Festival and meet with Stakeholders of the Industry be adopted and that the Chair present the said budget to the Budget Subcommittee on the Liaison Committee..

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Charlie Angus, Mauril Bélanger, Rodger Cuzner, Maka Kotto, Luc Malo, Scott Simms — 6; NAYS: Jim Abbott, Sylvie Boucher, Ed Fast, Chris Warkentin — 4.

Maka Kotto moved, — That, the 1st Report (Broadcasting Policy) and the 19th Report (Canadian Feature Film Industry) in the 1st Session of the 38th Parliament be adopted as reports in this session; that the Chair present the reports to the House; and that, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the Committee request that the Government table a comprehensive response to the reports.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 9; NAYS: 1.

Charlie Angus moved, — That the committee should examine the impacts of GATS negotiations on the Canadian television industry, and specifically: the impacts of GATS negotiations over stripping foreign ownership restrictions on Telecom that could have major implications for broadcast policy given the convergence of broadcast, telecom and cable distribution. The impacts of GATS negotiations on Audio Visual services, which are underway and could strip domestic content quotas, favourable tax regimes for film and domestic rights for language and other restrictions. That we request the presence of senior members of the negotiating team and senior heritage and industry officials to face questions on the file on an in camera meeting.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

At 5:30 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.