We can make certain comments based on the information available to us.
First, CBC/Radio-Canada's overall TV programming strategy puts the public broadcaster in direct competition with the private sector. Because programming decisions are driven by the need to maximize viewing audiences in order to generate advertising revenues, the proper balance between the public and private elements of the Canadian broadcasting system is distorted. It introduces unhealthy competition for the acquisition of popular programming.
Because of the importance of this issue, CAB believes that the government should assess the impact of CBC/Radio-Canada commercial activity on its ability to properly fulfill its public service mandate, with an ultimate goal of finding ways to reduce the reliance of CBC/Radio-Canada on advertising revenues in the future.
Second, in recent years, CBC and Radio-Canada have exploited a number of other broadcasting platforms, starting with specialty television services and pay audio, and now moving on to newer digital platforms, including a number of Internet services. CBC/Radio-Canada must ensure that its presence on these platforms does not come at the expense of its core broadcasting services, which are the primary vehicles for achieving its mandate.
Third, an additional concern relates to CBC/Radio-Canada's business practices with respect to digital media platforms, the resulting impact of such practices on the private sector and the level of disclosure of information that CBC/Radio-Canada should be expected to undertake relative to its digital media operations.
Mr. Chairman, the need for transparency and accountability, in our view, is paramount in assessing how the public broadcaster's new media strategy is carried out. CBC/Radio-Canada has not published or revealed its new media in its annual report or, to our knowledge, in any other document since 2003. This information would clearly facilitate an accurate assessment of whether CBC/Radio-Canada's activities in this area do indeed help or assist to fulfill their public mandate. We don't have that information. Thus, we can't make that assessment.
The CAB believes that the standing committee's examination is a valuable step towards better defining CBC/Radio-Canada's role in Canadian broadcasting for the next decade. In our view, the public policy objective must be to reaffirm the value and relevancy of CBC/Radio-Canada to the Canadian public as a unifying force that helps foster and shape our cultural identity. By soliciting the views of interested parties, the standing committee will be in a position to identify those particular issues that require further study and/or clarification, providing a strong foundation for consideration of the detailed operating plans that will be prepared and considered at the upcoming licence renewals for CBC/Radio-Canada services.
We appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today, and we'd be pleased to answer any questions you may have. Thank you.