On the distinctively Canadian question, obviously CBC is distinct; it's a question of degree. For us, the reason we're focusing our remarks on the English television part is that it seems to be the exception. Of course we are a group that can mention the anglophone perspective, but we're not really in a position to comment to you on SRC matters. But it's my impression as an observer that the French-language side of the CBC is much stronger in that regard than the English-language side, and that the radio side of the English is much stronger than the television side.
I remember the late Darryl Duke telling me once, with an ironic smile on his face, that when we get the next earthquake here in Vancouver it had better not be on a weekend, because CBC television won't be able to cover it. So it's the impoverishment of regional reflection, particularly in television, that's at issue. That is something that of course requires resources.
I am aware, through back channels, of a proposal that's doing the rounds to strengthen CBC English radio regional and to introduce programming capacity in ten large Canadian cities that now have none, including Hamilton. So I see that as evidence that CBC's management is moving in the direction of addressing those.
On multicultural, I would say it's getting better.
Finally, to turn this into a recommendation, as you may know, every seven years all major broadcasters, station groups, have to go to the CRTC to have their group licences renewed. CBC was to have done that this year. Although it hasn't been published, I believe their applications are sitting in files at the CRTC right now and they've been given a one-year extension. The CRTC was too busy with other things. Well, when the CRTC does review the CBC's licence, they should ask exactly the questions that you're asking. And the CRTC and this committee should lean on or advocate or push or encourage the CRTC to do that job, not just in Gatineau, Quebec, but around Canada.
You may remember that in 1999 the CRTC did that. They came to the Landmark Hotel up on Robson Street, and more than a hundred people from Vancouver came and talked to them. They got a feeling about Canada. So the CRTC should be holding its CBC licence renewal hearings around Canada, not in the bunker in Hull. Maybe Parliament could tell them that would be a good idea.