Canadian Heritage committee  The amendments that the FCCF is proposing in terms of the promotion of francophone content have two objectives. First, it is not only about encouraging the production of francophone content; it is also about obtaining guarantees with respect to the production of French-language content by French-language minority communities.

Canadian Heritage committee  Mr. Théberge will start.

Canadian Heritage committee  I'd add that the current way of connecting with arts and culture is like a big laboratory. We're in an exploratory phase and we certainly don't have all the solutions. We know very well that the current approach will never replace the in-person experience. We'll never have that feeling of being part of an event and sharing the moment.

Canadian Heritage committee  As I said earlier, my first recommendation would be to systematically apply the lens for upcoming and future investments; to clearly understand how our organizations are funded on the ground; and to ensure that the affected envelopes and programs target a sufficient amount of francophone organizations in the sector and that the organizations are funded fairly.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you for your question. The funding access analysis revealed a weakness in the application of what might be called an “official languages lens” on investments. The $500-million emergency fund was divided into two phases. It was built on existing funding channels. Our organizations on the ground had very little presence in the channels identified for phase 1.

Canadian Heritage committee  I would say two things. The first is that we're going to have to adjust this official languages lens in the machinery of government and make sure it's rigorously applied. In the economic statement presented earlier this week, an additional $181.5 million was announced for the sector.

Canadian Heritage committee  Here are a few figures that show the particularly devastating effects of the pandemic on artists, creators and cultural workers in our communities. The number of hours worked in October is almost one-third less than the same period in 2019. In the performing arts sector, approximately three out of four jobs were lost compared to 2019.

Canadian Heritage committee  I will now talk about the adjustments made necessary by the provision of new funding to the Canada Council for the Arts. The news of increased funding from the Canada Council for the Arts was like a balm for the entire sector. In the Canadian francophonie, there was a long way to go, for all kinds of reasons related to history, linguistic insecurity and systemic difficulties.

Official Languages committee  It was about your previous remarks. If you view this act as a pillar of Canada's identity, there may be a way to agree on principles. We obviously can't go into details and conduct a methodical, wide-ranging exercise. However, we could collectively agree on principles. We could also show some creativity in the way we conduct that conversation on principles.

Official Languages committee  Believe me, your idea of having a continuous conversation is excellent. What I'm saying is that the debates in this modernization exercise must be conducted in several areas and focused on many aspects. They must be substantive debates, debates on principles. We think this has to be a social project.

Official Languages committee  Yes, absolutely.

Official Languages committee  I'd like to add a comment on the first part of your question concerning the spirit of part VII, spirit in the sense of "development" and "reinforcing the communities". This is why the FCCF is advancing the idea of a preamble that would set the tone for the act as a whole and that would really be consistent with the idea of developing the communities and reinforcing their identity.

Official Languages committee  I'm going to tell you about scenario 2. It must be understood that the official languages situation has evolved, despite persistent challenges, and that Canadian opinion is more in favour of official languages than ever. Things have changed. We must fully consider the progress that has been made in the past 50 years and form a common understanding of the major challenges that remain on the ground and in the government's administration of the act.