As for the standing committee, the DGC urges you to issue a report to Parliament recommending the continued existence of the CTF and recommending that the government provide stable and long-term funding to this critically important production fund.
The standing committee should also recommend that BDUs continue to be required to contribute to the CTF in accordance with the public policy objectives of the Broadcasting Act and in accordance with the requirements of the broadcasting distribution regulations.
To conclude, the creation and exhibition of distinctively Canadian programming is fundamental to the broadcasting system and to Canada's broadcasting policy. The CTF must continue to exist and must have stable and predictable financing. This will help sustain and strengthen Canada's television production sector. All measures must also be undertaken as soon as possible to stop BDUs from damaging the Canadian production sector and from threatening the integrity of the broadcast regulatory regime.
We appreciate this opportunity to discuss the importance of the CTF with the committee; we look forward to any questions you may have.