In this discussion of CBC we continually refer to the private broadcasters, because they're basically in the same market and there are elements of overlap. I want to ask you a couple of things about the relationship, partly your relationship as people who are pitching shows to private broadcasters and to the public broadcaster, and also some of the suggestions that have come forward.
For example, our friends at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters came forward to help us build a strong public broadcaster. What I got out of it was that we should take away CBC's ability to get money from advertising and give that to private broadcasters; keep CBC out of local television news and give that to the private broadcasters; and stay off the Internet, because that's where the private broadcasters are going. I didn't really see much in it for public broadcasting. We're talking about losing a lot of revenue, and nobody's coming forward with how we're going to replace that. The other suggestion, of course, was that we give Hockey Night in Canada to the private broadcasters as well, and then CBC will really be able to do its job well.
I guess I have two questions. One is, if we give all that to the private broadcasters, how is the $50 million or $60 million we're going to throw at them from the CTF going to offset those massive bloodlettings and losses?
Secondly, as to an obligation to the private broadcasters, they're intercepting American shows and throwing Canadian advertising in its place. They're protected by Canadian law from competition from the U.S., even though they're showing U.S. shows, especially in border towns. There is simultaneous substitution. Section 19.1 of the Income Tax Act protections are giving between $330 million for private networks and for specialty services up toward $900 million a year. I asked the Canadian Association of Broadcasters what we're getting out of it. What's in this for the Canadian public when the only thing on CTV and PrimeTime is eTalk?
I'd like to get your perceptions on this.