I understand what you are saying, Mr. Chairman, but I do want to clarify a couple of things.
Mr. Abbott was critical of the fact that this issue is being politicized. But I would remind people that we are not the ones who politicized things here in committee. However, I do not intend to impute motives; we'll have plenty of time outside these walls to elaborate on matters.
Also, I think that, as members of this Committee, we should be taking a holistic approach to all the issues we examine. In that sense, you were right to mention that we have not heard from all the industry players. I should also point out that since March 1, 2006, Telefilm Canada has been in charge of managing applications to the Canadian Television Fund, although we have not had them appear before the Committee.
That brings me back to what Ms. Fry said about public hearings. Because it is removed from politics, the CRTC may feel it has every right to hold hearings behind closed doors. However, if Telefilm were to take part, given that it is responsible for processing applications, it would be more inclined to be accountable to us, or ensure the exercise is somewhat more transparent.
I, too, am having a lot of trouble understanding why this work has to be carried out behind closed doors. We have been following this issue very closely and we know that all the details with respect to Shaw's and Videotron's actions are public. Those details have already come out. So, what is going to be resolved in private meetings? Unless the idea is to develop a new configuration or paradigm for the Canadian Television Fund.
In that regard, my concern is that we will lose control and that when this exercise is over and done with, we won't know much more than we did before. So, I share Ms. Fry's concerns in that respect.
Thank you.