This is the first I hear of this particular suggestion.
In the first instance, yes, the CBC does require more funding to do what it does and to be able to do it more effectively. There's no question in our minds about that. However, we have not reflected on how that might be accomplished--except, I think, as we believe the federal government has a role in providing public funding for the arts, we would believe that is the case for the national public broadcaster as well.
There are undoubtedly other means of providing increased funding. This proposal by Mr. Manera will, I'm sure, be examined carefully by the committee. But I'm not sure that relieving private broadcasters of their responsibility for promoting Canadian artists and Canadian content is an answer either, frankly. I think the responsibility to support Canadian talent is shared between the national public broadcaster and the other broadcasters in the country.