Thank you, Minister, for being here.
One gets the sense that this government is shedding responsibility for culture left, right, and centre. First we were witness to the cuts to the museum envelope. John McAvity, of the Canadian Museums Association, was all over the press, saying how disappointed he was. The portrait museum seems to be doomed, to the chagrin, among others, of the Globe and Mail editorial board. The film community in Quebec is not particularly happy. You haven't been proactive in buttressing the publications assistance program, and there are rumours that Canada Post doesn't want to support the distribution of Canadian magazines any more.
There is a palpable fear, justified or not, in the cultural industries and the culture and arts community that this government, if given a chance, would privatize the CBC. I would like an assurance from you. I'd like to give you the opportunity to assure us, for the record, that no Conservative government would take a step in that direction, so that we can put these fears, whether they're justified or not, to bed.