National Holiday Show: A Tradition of Compromise?

After a single broadcast from Trois-Rivieres in 2020 and Charlevoix in 2021, will national holiday television programs return to the cities of Montreal and Quebec next year? Despite her “heartfelt” wishes, Culture and Information Minister Nathalie Roy could not confirm her return in 2022.

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The minister was bombarded with questions on the issue on Tuesday during a study of budget allocations for culture in the National Assembly.

Due to a ban on large conventions in force since last spring, the Ministry of Culture and Information has extended the budget allocated for the national holiday to $ 8.1.8 million, after the Trois-Rivieres took over on June 24 this year in Charlevoix. It airs on four major channels.

The total amount allocated for the celebration of the national holiday goes from $ 5 million to $ 7 million, preventing the return of traditional television programs in the metropolis and the fact that the capital is not officially in the program.

The city of Montreal is already concerned that the formula for a single television show in the area is permanent. The city council on April 19 asked the government to guarantee “as soon as possible” the return of television programs in the metropolis from 2022, and in the years to come.

It is not possible to watch three shows on television, one in Montreal, one in Quebec City and one in the area.

Representatives of the opposition to culture and communication, Pascal Bourbe (party Cubacois) and Christine Saint-Pierre (Liberal Party), on Tuesday urged Nathalie Roy to clarify her vision for the coming years.

“There is no doubt that there are no performances in Quebec, Montreal or elsewhere,” said Nathalie Roy. The area has an additional 1.8 million for a major television show. One does not prevent the other. For now, he’s in Charlevoix for obvious reasons we know, she said. I sincerely hope he stays in Montreal and Quebec as well. But depending on the current situation we will take a year. ”

Assistant Deputy Minister Louis Chamberland, who is in charge of the Secretariat for the Promotion of Quebec Culture, also confirmed that certification could not be given for 2022. “There are shows because the totals are there,” and then Nathalie Roy was satisfied.

“It’s embarrassing. We don’t have transparency, we don’t know the government’s game plan,” lamented Christine Saint-Pierre.

During this exchange, there was also the question of the depoliticization of the national holiday, as the Minister of Culture did not like to see the flags of political parties floating on their heads during celebrations.

The minister wants to weaken the party, yet Pascal Burbaye has confirmed that he is aware that the government wants to reduce the broadcast time of Prime Minister Fran లెois Legalt’s speech from 30 seconds to one minute.

“I do not know about this information,” said Nathalie Roy.