Canadian Heritage Committee on Feb. 16th, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Monsieur Pomerleau.

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you for being here, even though I said goodbye just now. That was because we thought it was over.

Mr. Blais, I'm very happy you addressed the question of the origins of the CBC and the purpose for which it was founded, even if briefly: to give Canada a unique voice and real personality.

At present, the CBC is offering us a five-year strategic plan that seems to me to be very well done, that takes into account the new technologies, the availability of people, and the demographics of the country, which have changed. In view of the CBC's original mandate and its present mandate, what do you think of that plan?

My second question, which relates to the feasibility of it, is perhaps addressed to you, Mr. Bouchard. Because you are the one who handles Portfolio Affairs, I imagine it is you who deals with questions of money.

As we know, the CBC is going to receive the same funding, at least so we hope. It doesn't say that it's for five years, but we assume that the corporation is going to receive the same funding. But production costs will rise, as is the case everywhere. CBC/Radio-Canada agrees that it will look for additional revenue by making more use of advertising and making better use of its human, financial and physical assets, if we can put it that way.

What do you think of this financial aspect of it? Is the plan genuinely feasible?

[Jean-Pierre Blais]

I can answer your first question.

Certainly, as the Minister said, the CBC's plan reflects what we have heard, what the CBC has heard, and the recommendations of this committee itself. However, the process isn't over. There is the strategic plan, but the CBC's licence will shortly have to be renewed, and Canadians will have the chance to participate. Mine is not the only opinion that counts in that conversation. The CRTC's renewal process is entirely open. Canadians from one end of the country to the other, because it's their network, will be able to participate in the process.

The CRTC will begin that process at the end of this year or the beginning of next year. People will have an opportunity to take part in it.

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Before letting Mr. Bouchard answer, will come back to you, as an individual or as a manager at the Department of Canadian Heritage. The CRTC is the one that will decide on the plan itself, the implementation of the plan, the techniques that will be used. So it isn't over, but it's the CRTC that will be handling the next phase.

[Jean-Pierre Blais]

At the first level, it is Parliament that decides the CBC's mandate. And you decided, in the act, what your expectations of the CBC would be. The strategic plan in question here seems to me to be consistent with the overall plan. The CRTC has a public process to establish the details in terms of how all that is implemented in each licence.

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Right.

[René Bouchard]

In terms of the issue of costs, I would say there are a few points. As Mr. Jean and Mr. Blais pointed out a moment ago, costs may certainly rise over the years, but the new technologies may certainly also reduce costs. In fact, using fewer people and more cutting edge technology may make it possible to cover more ground, in both the literal and figurative sense, at less cost.

The CBC, like you, also alluded to an increase in advertising charges. For television, it is a 2.8% increase, if I'm not mistaken. They are also taking about an internal exercise to see whether costs can be distributed differently. There is also the question of managing the corporation's capital assets.

That is the overall menu that makes it possible for Hubert Lacroix to lay out that plan with...

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

As a manager, do you, at some point in the process, have to decide whether this is feasible, or how to do it left to the corporation's discretion?

[René Bouchard]

How to do it is left to the CBC's discretion, as is explained in the plan. However, as the Minister said a moment ago, for some points there is very open communication with the CBC, and we can help it where possible.

[Roger Pomerleau, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Generally speaking, what oversight measures does Canadian Heritage use to supervise CBC/Radio-Canada's plans and budgets? Is there some kind of supervision? How does it work? Do you meet with the people from the CBC at set times, or is it done regularly by telephone?

[Jean-Pierre Blais]

René will answer.

[René Bouchard]

The question of the CBC's accountability has several facets. For its capital budget, for example, the CBC will approach the Department of Canadian Heritage and submit its capital expenditure plan to Treasury Board, and it is then approved.

At other times, when it involves the business plan or business plan summary, the approach is different. The people at the CBC will share their business plan, as they have done. The summary will be tabled in the House of Commons through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

There is a reporting structure or all sorts of legislation, be it the Official Languages Act or the Canadian Multiculturalism Act. In various regards, for various items, there is a responsibility, a reporting structure that keeps us informed. Communication is open between the government and the CBC on most of these aspects.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Pomerleau.

Thank you to our three witnesses.

Thank you to members of the committee for your cooperation.

I would just like to inform you of one thing.

We've received from the House Bill C-573, An Act to establish Pope John Paul II Day. The deadline for the committee to consider this bill is June 13 of this year.

This meeting is adjourned.