Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, we have recordings of all the artists who have come to record in our studios. Since March, I believe that you can find recordings of more than 20 artists on our website. I will check that. We always do a commentary about the artists who come to record in our studios. We also organized a major exhibition on k.d. lang.

Canadian Heritage committee  Both this government and the previous government have been very supportive of making investments in infrastructure to help reinvent, in this case, an inner city in Calgary. Calgary, as you might know, is largely a suburban environment, and there was a real need, for sustainability reasons, to start building up the inner city.

Canadian Heritage committee  In terms of successful models that we've seen around the world, I've been very fortunate. I've been involved with this organization for well over 20 years. Before we built National Music Centre, I spent 10 years looking around the world at various models. The reason the National Music Centre created a sort of a tri-model was the integration that was happening as a result of technology and this convergence, particularly in music, that continues.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely. The National Music Centre seeks to create opportunities not only for local and regional artists, but also for artists from everywhere in Canada. In terms of the live programming we present here, I feel that last year, [technical difficulties] participated in the local events here at the National Music Centre.

Canadian Heritage committee  We invented the National Music Centre charitable organization, and we've been doing work here in Calgary for well over 20 years. We invented the brand of the National Music Centre. What we've done to fulfill this national mandate is we have about half a dozen partners who we work with across the country, both in the non-profit and the for-profit space.

Canadian Heritage committee  If I may, I have a second example that relates specifically to the blending of the non-profit world and the for-profit world within the music space specifically. Traditionally, non-profit music organizations were largely funded through philanthropy and grants [Technical difficulty--Editor] various elements of Canadian Heritage, as split typically from what we would describe as the for-profit industry or the music industry.

Canadian Heritage committee  I agree that there needs to be some latitude between non-profits and for-profits co-existing, and even some policy—and that's obviously down to legislation to, I think.... I guess I would describe it as loosening the reins a little bit, just because of the narrowing of the gap between the non-profit sector and the for-profit sector in certain instances.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Madam Chair. I want to thank everybody for your time today and also for the opportunity to participate in this really important subject about cultural hubs and creative districts. I'm the founding president and CEO of Canada's new National Music Centre, which is located in a building that's called Studio Bell.

Canadian Heritage committee  I can add something to that, if there's time. Brett Kissel is an extraordinary individual. He goes over and beyond most artists in his ability to reach out to people and to engage. I think other artists who don't have his personal abilities as a communicator can do other things to give back.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, I would agree. I think investment certainly in innovation and digital platforms, and marketing, sort of what happens down the line after the music is made. I think ensuring that there is a distribution network that focuses on Canadian content somewhere, somehow, to get awareness for these artists out there.

Canadian Heritage committee  I would agree that the communication of the message through education of the importance of music is what's.... You're referring to this as the seeds and we refer to this as the inspirational stories of people from this country who have created great works of art known as music that has inspired the world.

Canadian Heritage committee  I agree with that. I know it's provincial jurisdiction, but I think there has to be a message nationally about the importance of music to this country. I think that is fundamental to.... I think it's a federal government responsibility because it's about Canada. It's not about Alberta or Ontario or Quebec.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  I got cut off once, so I have to be careful.

Canadian Heritage committee  I think it's a redistribution or a reallocation of part of it to some of the recommendations of the things the three of us have spoken to: broader investment in diversity, away from certain hubs, not necessarily just in central Canada, but in other parts of Canada. I think that's an important element of the CMF.