I have been living in Vancouver for approximately 30 years. I arrived there in 1976. I therefore witnessed the development of radio and television in British Columbia. Services are being cut. In 1995, we almost lost our news bulletin, which is 22 to 25 minutes long. It was going to be merged with Regina or Winnipeg's programming to cover Western Canadian news.
Ms. Fry, in these circumstances of attrition, it is questionable how representative events that occur in Campbell River, Prince George or even Maillardville truly are. There are a few cultural shows on television. Alexandre could tell you more. But there is very little in the way of news. I can tell you, as a representative of the francophone community, that the community is still not being represented even though it should be under Radio-Canada's mandate.
My colleagues could tell you that the same is true for the other provinces, except in some areas where there is more broadcasting time, for example, in Moncton. Perhaps there are more resources there. It is my view that Radio-Canada has failed by not allowing that transfer of and access to programs produced in other provinces.
Radio-Canada's programming schedule shows that the Moncton or Ontario news is not necessarily accessible, thereby preventing us from understanding what specifically is happening in those areas. I don't think that Quebeckers, be they from Montreal or Val d'Or, have any more access than they do. Has Radio-Canada contributed to making people more aware of the Canadian francophonie? I think there have been failures in this area. Is that due to editorial choices? I wouldn't want to say.
Regardless, it certainly is linked to technical resources as well as the centralizing of all French programming in Quebec and Montreal. Past cuts are also a very significant factor.