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REFORM PARTY MINORITY REPORT
ON CANADIAN CULTURE
This long overdue report on Canadian culture by the Standing Committee
on Canadian Heritage generally reflects the view of the witnesses. The
shortcoming of this report, I believe, is that the Committee took too long
to complete the task. I must commend my colleagues on their commitment
to completing this task.
The Reform Party supports the freedom of Canadian cultural communities
to grow and develop without needless protection and government regulation,
encouraging a cultural free market which offers choice, while lowering
costs to consumers as services are provided by those sectors which are
able to do so most cost-effectively.
The staff did a commendable job in putting this report together. The
lineal approach of analysis clearly demonstrates how one end of the continuum
is linked to the other end. This report examines culture by discussing
creation, training, production and distribution, conservation and consumption.
The Reform Party cannot support this report in its entirety although
there are productive recommendations. There are also recommendations which
do not address how funds are allocated and scrutinized.
Canadian culture has been defined through the eyes of the witnesses.
This report reflects, in majority, the views of federalists. In this country
we still do not have a complete singular view of culture from a broad perspective,
recognizing and respecting the role of the provinces and the municipalities
in the big picture. This country needs a single cultural policy meets the
needs of all Canadians at all three levels of government. Common principles
need to be established for this policy. The federal government should take
the leadership and get together with the provinces and municipalities to
talk, discuss, and plan to develop a single cultural policy that would
benefit all Canadians wherever they live in this great country. The federal
government must recognize that the practise of culture occurs at the grassroots
as well as in the Nation's capital.
An area of concern that needs to be addressed is the millions of dollars
in grants from many federal government departments. Government grants and
contributions are among the most important ways that this Liberal government
pursues its program objectives. These are also the most criticized by the
public when grants are not scrutinized properly, i.e. Dumb Blonde Joke
Book and pornographic films such as Bubbles Galore. In his 1998
December report, the Auditor General of Canada reported that upwards of
20 departments and agencies were guilty of (1) inconsistent application
or interpretation of government policy on grants and contributions; (2)
inefficient use of funds and inadequate measures to ensure accountability
by program recipients; (3) lack of control, monitoring and evaluation.
We know that everybody wants a grant. Through a single cultural policy,
the taxpayers' money will be spent more efficiently and effectively. Even
the Auditor General recommended that better coordination take place with
other federal and provincial departments in view of the potential for duplication
of effort and funding.
Reform believes that it is critical that all government subsidies or
grants be conditional to review with a time limit attached. We believe
that a disciplined free-market system is the best way for the culture industry
to succeed.
There are many creative ways governments can enable individuals and
organizations to become successful in the cultural sector. Endowments,
foundations, tax deductions and partnerships are only a few.
Today we are at the edge of technological change. The Internet will
have a huge impact on our culture. In fact the Internet may just make many
of the federal governments regulatory agencies obsolete.
Canada has a very rich and diverse culture, much more than that offered
by the two founding nations concept. The utilization of this cultural wealth
has the potential to make Canada a culture leader of the world.
Inky Mark, MP
Chief Opposition Critic for Canadian Heritage