OTTAWA – Heritage Minister Josée Verner "hates" Bill C-10, says the Conservative chair of the Senate committee that is examining the legislation.
Senator David Angus’ comments were recorded by C-PAC at the Senate’s banking committee, which is examining the proposed legislation. Angus called for a two-minute break between hearings on April 10, but for a short time his microphone was left on. His conversation with an unidentified man was broadcast over the Senate’s live Internet audio feed and has since been posted on YouTube.
Bill C-10 is an omnibus bill amending the Income Tax Act and contains a series of amendments affecting a variety of different industries, funds and individuals. It has been passed by the House of Commons and is now before the Senate.
"The government has to bite the bullet," he is heard saying during the break.
“This is policy. The thing is, you say, it’s out there floating around. The minister agrees. She told me she hates the law. And then, you know, what we want is a sort of a moratorium so we can get … these f___ers don’t want to see …” Then the tape cuts out.
Verner has publicly defended the bill, which includes a provision to deny tax credits to films or television productions deemed offensive, as Cartt.ca has reported. Canada’s film and television community has attacked Section 120 of the bill which would allow the Heritage Minister to withdraw tax credits from productions determined to be “contrary to public policy.”
Angus did not return calls from the media yesterday.
