Evidence of meeting #59 for Canadian Heritage in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was cbc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Executive Director, Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
Yes, through a contributions agreement.
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
There are no other agencies within government that you receive funding from.
Conservative
Conservative
Ed Fast Conservative Abbotsford, BC
Has the $1.6 million been topped up over the years, or has it been--
Executive Director, Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
No, it's been reduced.
Executive Director, Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
In 2002 or 2003.
Liberal
Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB
Thank you very much.
I think this whole issue around the commercialization of content, the resource question that has driven the CBC television toward advertising.... I don't think there's any disagreement that this has been chasing revenues they need to operate. They were seeing reductions from the government. It's going to be a very difficult balance--I'm looking for a reaction, essentially--to make the case for government support, government resources, going to the CBC around a mandate that talks about distinctiveness and all of those things, and at the same time watch the content chase advertising revenues that would be contrary perhaps to that mandate. I don't have to say “perhaps”--witness whatever you call the program you described around the reality thing.
Do you believe it's possible to continue to hold...? I was of the view that the advertising revenues are so important that it's hard to imagine getting rid of them. We're talking about the 21st century. This is a long time. Are we going to be able to sustain the willingness to support the CBC as it becomes less and less distinctive, as it chases those revenues? Maybe it's necessary to simply make the decision that if we want to have something that is independent, distinct, and meets the objectives of the mandate, it's going to have to be supported by not necessarily direct resources, the way it's done now, but other interesting options that have been put forward. Is that possibly what we're going to have to do? Would you believe that for the remainder of the 21st century we would be able to somehow pull off this hybrid that is changing, in my mind, quite significantly in a direction that I don't think is consistent with what I see the CBC being?
Executive Director, Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
It seems to me you people have quite a tough mandate. Not only are you having to deal with these issues you've raised about the CBC, but the whole broadcast versus new media question is dogging us all because we don't know the answers. I sympathize with your mandate. It's pretty tough.
I don't know what to say. To be honest, I haven't thought a lot about this. I like the idea you talk about, having something that is independent, that shows things that are like CBC radio, higher quality, better quality, social issues, things that make people think. The funding issue, I acknowledge, is a problem. There's no clear answer. This idea you've suggested is quite interesting, though. I think it bears examination.
Liberal
Andy Scott Liberal Fredericton, NB
Pursuing the same thinking—and this is the debate we have to have if this is going to be real--the logic in the argumentation is that the high-quality stuff doesn't have the big audiences, and that's why it doesn't generate advertising revenues. That's the fundamental idea. At the same time, if we're trying to promote a Canadian identity and all those kinds of things, isn't there a requirement to do that in a way that attracts audiences independent of advertising? If we're telling our stories to each other, to what extent is it not necessary to try to do it in a way that is accessible to Canadians, the same Canadians who perhaps are appealed to by advertising? In other words, if we make it such that there's a small audience, are we not preaching to the converted?
Executive Director, Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
I really think the CBC has a mandate—that is our hope—to give us the material that helps show us who we are as Canadians. It allows that discourse. Again, I talk about CBC radio. I think it really does those kinds of things. It's a model in that respect. Otherwise, what's the point of doing this? It could be just another private station.
Again, I don't have any answers on how you finance it, but I really think it's a conundrum. That question has to be posed.
Bloc
Maka Kotto Bloc Saint-Lambert, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Why does the CBC refuse to broadcast CIDA-funded documentaries? Does this refusal limit the number of possible broadcasters willing to broadcast projects on international development subjects, as you noted in your brief?
Executive Director, Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
I did not hear the question. I'm sorry.
Bloc
Maka Kotto Bloc Saint-Lambert, QC
Why does the CBC refuse to broadcast CIDA-funded documentaries? Why does this refusal limit the potential number of broadcasters willing to show projects on international development subjects?
Executive Director, Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
As I explained, there is a policy regarding news. The feeling is that CIDA-funded documentaries lack balance, and that poses a problem.
Executive Director, Canadian Independent Film and Video Fund
A balanced perspective is lacking. The news trend must have a balance, be objective.
Bloc
Maka Kotto Bloc Saint-Lambert, QC
Objectivity. So from their perspective, if there is a bias in CIDA's outlook on these issues...
