Evidence of meeting #75 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was anand.
A recording is available from Parliament.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Joël Godin
Thank you, Mr. Beaulieu and Ms. Tait.
Ms. Ashton, you have the floor for two and a half minutes.
6:30 p.m.
NDP
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB
You said you had intended to produce the podcast in Quebec French.
Exactly when do you intend to produce it?
6:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada
It's already under way. We've spoken with Radio-Canada's OHdio team, which is responsible for it. It will take a few more months because we have to hire actors and so on.
The new version should theoretically go online in early summer.
6:30 p.m.
NDP
Niki Ashton NDP Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB
Thank you. We can't wait to see it and promote it.
We're also here talking about CBC's role in contracting out, which is a concerning trend on various fronts.
We are aware, as well—and the CBC confirmed it—that it hired Hive, an advertising agency, for its 2024 Olympic campaign in partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee. Hive is a member that locked out its own employees when they refused to sign ACTRA's national commercial agreement.
I'm curious about why the CBC is so keen on contracting out and, in this instance, hiring a company that supports anti-union practices.
6:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada
Mr. Chair, I should say I have a hearing disability, so it's extremely hard for me to focus on a question being addressed to me when people are talking at the same time. If you wouldn't mind.... It would make it much easier.
I think the question was regarding Hive, which is an advertising agency hired by—
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Joël Godin
I'm going to stop you, Ms. Tait. Your comment is actually quite apt and concerns all the members.
I offered a reminder on the subject earlier. This is why I wear my earpiece at all times, even when people are speaking in French. It enables me to understand more clearly. So I definitely understand your situation.
6:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada
I should've done that. It didn't occur to me. Pardon me.
6:30 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Joël Godin
That's not your fault. We should have spoken to each other earlier.
You may continue, Ms. Tait.
6:30 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada
With respect to the member, we were not the company that hired Hive. The Canadian Olympic Committee made the hire. We are working with the COC this time. This is a first, by the way, us working with them. To be clear, Hive is one of many companies that responded to the RFP, all of which had the same issue ACTRA has raised.
My understanding is that there was no other choice among those that presented themselves. This is a generalized issue among the advertising businesses right now.
To be clear, CBC has not contracted with this company. This is with the COC.
6:35 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Joël Godin
Thank you, Ms. Tait and Ms. Ashton.
That completes our rounds of questions.
I want to thank our witnesses, Ms. Tait and Mr. Dubé, representing CBC/Radio-Canada, for taking part in our meeting. As I said at the outset, our committee will be following up on the motion that has been introduced.
Thanks to all committee members for their indulgence. I would also inform you that, at the next meeting, we are going to continue work on the draft report on our study on increased francophone immigration to Canada.
Do the members wish to adjourn the meeting?
The meeting is adjourned.