CHPC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met in a televised session at 3:31 p.m. this day, in Room 237-C, Centre Block, the Chair, Gary Schellenberger, presiding.

Margaret Denike made a statement and answered questions.

At 4:19 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:25 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Gwendolyn Landolt, Brian Rushfedlt, Charles McVety and John Carpay made statements and answered questions.

At 5:30 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:35 p.m., the sitting resumed.

Maka Kotto moved, — the adoption of the following report:

Whereas it should be possible to develop film production everywhere;

Whereas all the decision-making for the television industry in Quebec is centred in Montréal;

Whereas only 3% of television production in Quebec takes place outside Montréal;

Whereas there is a shortage of regional development;

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recommends that the government, as a matter of urgency, take adequate measures to stimulate regional film and television production, in Quebec and Canada, and to ensure that an enhanced tax credit is granted for film production outside the major centres; and that the Chair report to the House..

On motion of Charlie Angus, it was agreed, — That the report be amended in paragraphs 2 and 5 by the following:

Whereas all the decision-making for the television industry in Quebec is centred in Montréal and a similar situation exists in the other regions of Canada;

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage as a matter of urgency, advise the government of the need to develop a strategy that would provide adequate mesures to stimulate regional productions outside the large urban centres, including looking at the use of enhanced tax credits for film productions outside the urban centres.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Charlie Angus, Mauril Bélanger, Tina Keeper, Maka Kotto, Luc Malo, Francis Scarpaleggia, Scott Simms — 7; NAYS: Jim Abbott, Sylvie Boucher, Ed Fast, Chris Warkentin — 4.

Maka Kotto moved, — the adoption of the following report:

Whereas the resounding success of feature films in Quebec will not continue unless new sources of funding are injected into French-language film productions;

Whereas there has been a permanent $2M cut in the Feature Film Fund and Telefilm Canada’s capacity to invest has been reduced by the impact of inflation;

Whereas the cost of production has increased incessantly, as have the funding applications to Telefilm;

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recommends that the government, as a matter of urgency, allocate a recurring amount of $50 million to the Feature Film Fund, as called for by the industry; and that the Chair report to the House..

On motion of Mauril Bélanger, it was agreed, — That the Report be amended in the last paragraph by changing the words of “$50 million” by “adequate”.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Charlie Angus, Mauril Bélanger, Tina Keeper, Maka Kotto, Luc Malo, Francis Scarpaleggia, Scott Simms — 7; NAYS: Jim Abbott, Sylvie Boucher, Ed Fast, Chris Warkentin — 4.

Maka Kotto moved, — the adoption of the following report:

Whereas Telefilm Canada must react more quickly to the new realities of the new media market;

Whereas the growth of the new Canada New Media Fund is crucial for the future of Canadian content in this field;

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recommends that the government, as a matter of urgency, provide adequate financial support in this sector, in an effort to see it attain its full potential, and also take adequate legislative measures to allow Telefilm Canada to operate with more flexibility; and that the Chair report to the House..

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division: YEAS: Charlie Angus, Mauril Bélanger, Tina Keeper, Maka Kotto, Luc Malo, Francis Scarpaleggia, Scott Simms — 7; NAYS: Jim Abbott, Sylvie Boucher, Ed Fast, Chris Warkentin — 4.

At 6:00 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.