Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 15th, 2007

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

I think we can proceed on that. I think it is important that we do that. Let's get back into our routine again, and we can bring that up even when we're in camera to see when we can do that. Okay?

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

I would like to speak on another matter, if I may.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Yes, sir.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

I appreciate the will of the committee to invite Mr. Rabinovitch to come back before we conclude the study on the public broadcaster. I apologize for this if it's been done, Mr. Chairman, but I don't know if the committee in the previous session had the opportunity of meeting or hearing from people from either the BBC or the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in terms of comparison.

I'm not suggesting that we go to London--or Sydney, for that matter--although if Mr. Brown wishes to propose it, I might second it. But it might be very useful to the committee, before it concludes its study and issues a report, to hear from them. I don't know what format that might take. It could be a teleconference. It could be inviting someone here. I leave it to you, Mr. Chairman, and the committee staff, if there's a will around the table to hear from someone about BBC and ABC, or others for that matter, because in our conclusions it might be something very useful.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

Just to speak on that, we did have someone here from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The clerk will get you the script that came from that meeting.

Secondly, I did make an application to the Liaison Committee to take our committee to the BBC, and I was turned down. I don't have very good luck at the Liaison Committee.

[John McKay, Liberal, Scarborough—Guildwood, ON]

Impeach the chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

I think it's very important that we get something from the BBC if we can't go there, whether it's through teleconferencing or by bringing someone here from there.

Mr. Fast.

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

I just want to concur with Mr. Bélanger. I understood there was a consensus at this table from all the members of the previous committee during our discussions--and probably here as well--that we would bring at least one individual from the BBC, and from PBS as well, to provide different perspectives on the whole issue of the public broadcaster.

Just for clarification, my understanding is that the draft report that will be circulated is actually an interim report that will be published as a final report after we've heard further witnesses. Is that correct?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

That's the way I understand it.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

It's an interim report?

[Ed Fast, Conservative, Abbotsford, BC]

It hasn't been approved yet.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gary Schellenberger]

It hasn't been approved, so it's a draft report and a working document.

If there's no other business at this time, the meeting is adjourned.