For sure. After all, I'm speaking as a writer, so I'm self-interested here. But there's no question that unless the writing is there, the show will never be there. They can take a good script and make a bad movie out of it, but you're unlikely to make a good movie out of a bad script.
Telefilm Canada has been doing some development work. They have a program called Writers First, which allows writers to go directly to Telefilm without going through a producer, to allow for some development before getting to that stage. It's somewhat controversial because producers still feel that if they're not attached to a project it's probably not going to go anywhere, anyway. I think for sure, whether it's through CBC or through Telefilm, there has to be a willingness.
The point has been made before that in the United States, if you want to look at the success of their film and television market, there's a much, if you like, lower ratio of development to production. In other words, they'll develop 10 shows, they'll pre-plan and write scripts and shoot pilots for 10 shows for one that goes on the air. Then when it goes on the air, there'll be further attrition, to what actually ends up going to a full season or just a couple of seasons.
In Canada we have not had that luxury.