Statement made on 10 May 2006 by Senator Lise Bacon (retired)
Hon. Lise Bacon:
Honourable senators, my question is for the minister responsible for the Greater Montreal area. The minister is well aware that Montreal is known as the city of festivals.
The Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs Festival received considerable financial support from the Canadian government when they were first launched and now make a significant cultural and economic contribution.
I do not want the Leader of the Government in the Senate to bother the minister, since she is allowing him to answer for once. I repeat. They make a significant economic contribution and are a key tourist attraction. Given the importance of these major events for Montreal, can the minister assure us that, in response to requests from the arts community, he plans to restore federal contributions to a level that will allow these festivals to remain competitive internationally in terms of quality?
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