I don't disagree with less regulation being better, as a philosophy. I think there have been a lot of moves in that direction.
This was not a deal that was regulated. The regulations were post facto. This was a deal that was arrived at by the industry, in discussion with the regulator, and offered up by the industry in order to get a particular benefit for themselves and also to recognize the fact that they are part of the broadcasting system. Remember, it was relatively close to the time after the act had just been redone, and the cable companies are supposedly--and we believe they should be--an integral part of the broadcasting system.
An essential element of the broadcasting system is the development of distinctive Canadian programming, not just the rebroadcasting of American content. This was seen, I think, by those in the cable industry as a fair way for them to make a fair contribution to the development of Canadian content. At the same time, they did very well for themselves. They protected and increased what they received three years earlier.
But this doesn't fall under the usual discussions of regulation in that it wasn't imposed by regulation; it was confirmed by regulation. The deal was between willing partners.