To contribute to this exercise, the 2008 Ideas work programme introduced a call for proposals for CSAs that was launched in November 2007 with a deadline on 6 March 2008, with the aim of generating a portfolio of projects, studies and associated initiatives which will contribute to the monitoring, assessment and evaluation of the impact of the ERC and the Ideas Programme.

It is perhaps a rather radical idea the notion that each party would simply put its best notions forward, would, on a fair and reasonable basis, assess the proposals of other parties and would raise their hands in the committee and, ultimately, in the House in favour of the best ideas that Canadians have been able to bring forward to this place on the biggest crisis facing the planet.

The Commission’s commitment to integrated impact assessment is based on the principle of sustainable development and is designed to allow policy makers to make choices on the basis of careful analysis of the potential economic, social and environmental impacts of new legislation. This integrated approach is based upon the principle of a thorough and balanced appraisal of all impacts and allows the presentation of a comprehensive analysis and the identification of trade-offs, where relevant. A key idea is that the depth and scope of an impact assessment, and hence the resources allocated to it, are proportionate to the expected nature of ...[+++]the proposal and its likely impacts. Finally, Impact Assessments must go hand in hand with wide-ranging consultation allowing for sufficient time to receive the views of all stakeholders who wish to contribute to the shaping of new rules.

Mr. Rodger Cuzner (Bras d'Or—Cape Breton, Lib.): Mr. Speaker, the widely held assumption that Cape Breton Island remains the heart and soul of the east coast music industry was reaffirmed this past Sunday night in Saint John, New Brunswick, at the 14th annual East Coast Music Awards.

The Groups, whose members have direct responsibilities as regards evaluation, will also provide forums for the exchange of ideas and experiences on evaluation.

So I am sure you appreciate the value of this conference, and I hope it will be opened as widely as possible to everyone involved at all levels of the music sector, and to all ideas and projects which might contribute to building and consolidating a real "Europe of music".