Canadian Heritage committee  Some of these challenges, the drive for efficiency and balancing the books, other crown corporations face as well. The government right now has asked all departments and agencies to absorb the salary increase of the last two years. This is something that other organizations have

Canadian Heritage committee  Go ahead.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely. It's in the act that they must be both a mirror for the region and then bring national content to the region. The plan has three pillars: one pillar for Canadian content, one pillar for multi-platforms, like digital, and one for the regions. This means having local pr

Canadian Heritage committee  They have to compete in bringing productions forward. I'll let Jean-Pierre give you the numbers for the last few years.

Canadian Heritage committee  We always monitor what's happening in terms of market trends. As Jean-Pierre has said, there's always been the reality of an industry that is emerging and new channels that are coming that bring new market forces. So we're always monitoring the situation and talking to people in

Canadian Heritage committee  They've certainly made a commitment in that five-year plan that they want to provide the opportunity for the regions to be seen nationally and for the regions to have their own mirror in terms of local information. There is certainly a strong commitment. As the minister said befo

Canadian Heritage committee  It is always during the budget year. It is a renewal in the context of a budget.

Canadian Heritage committee  They learn at the time of the budget, yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  A moment ago the Minister described the selection process. There as an invitation for applications and an exercise of jurisdiction. Candidates were selected and some were interviewed. The process took its course. There was a selection committee, and normally we don't discuss the

Canadian Heritage committee  In fact, we would not answer it in any other appointment process either.

Canadian Heritage committee  It is an order in council appointment process. So it's a process that comes from Cabinet...

Canadian Heritage committee  Mr. Rodriguez, no one has forbidden us to answer the question; it is our role, our function, that prohibits us from answering it. It is an order in council appointment, and we can never publicly disclose any advice that is given to a Cabinet committee. René has described the proc

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. You probably also know, Mr. Rodriguez, that all departments and agencies are in exactly the same boat. Government and Crown departments and agencies had to absorb wage increases in the budget two years ago. This was in a situation of financial restrictions, fiscal constraint

Canadian Heritage committee  I think that is a good question that you could ask Mr. Lacroix of Radio-Canada, but certainly in conversations with them, this is also where the evolution of new technology sometimes makes things less expensive. Nowadays, with digital cameras, with a feed through the Internet, yo

Canadian Heritage committee  With regard to programming, the CBC would have to answer. That's part of their independence. Having said that, I did read the testimony from Mr. Lacroix. He certainly spoke about partnerships. We've seen in other countries where sometimes there are alliances between broadcasters