Evidence of meeting #31 for Canadian Heritage in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was musical.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:40 p.m.
Newsletter Editor, Canadian League of Composers
Yes, as I pointed out earlier, in the survey it showed a weakening of commitment to the mandate, and that is important. Subparagraph 3(1)(d)(i) of the Broadcasting Act of 1991 states that the Canadian broadcasting system should “serve to safeguard, enrich and strengthen the cultural, political, social and economic fabric of Canada”.
In 1968 the CBC was established as a public service, so it needs to be called--in a broad way, not in a micromanaging way--on the carpet when it stops nurturing Canadian unity, identity, and culture. And I believe that has happened.
4:45 p.m.
Regional Director, British Columbia, Canadian Music Centre (British Columbia Region)
I would say to you what I said to the executives of the CBC when they came out to get rid of the orchestra, which is that the CBC Radio Orchestra fulfills the letter and spirit of the CBC mandate magnificently, and they in their work are ignoring the mandate of the CBC. Because they are not following the mandate of the CBC, this should be an issue of concern for the board and for your committee.
4:45 p.m.
As an Individual
First, I actually would like to say that this is a very wonderful question, because I think we have to walk a very fine line. But I also think that this committee represents enough intelligence to know where that line is in terms of instructing and advising. One of the issues, we say, with the CBC is that they're underestimating the intelligence of their public and their listeners. I think that's a dangerous thing to do. I don't think we can underestimate the intelligence of the committee. I think there is a role to advise and counsel, but maybe not necessarily to dictate. That's the balance you'll need to find, and we appreciate your efforts.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Andy Scott
That's one we struggle to find all the time.
And now we'll go to Mr. Dyck.
4:45 p.m.
As an Individual
Perhaps I could use an analogy. If our National Gallery decided that because the billboard art Tim Hortons has created generates more revenue and is more easily recognizable than the Group of Seven it will put the Group of Seven in a back corner and display billboard art, you would be within your rights to say “Wait a minute, that's not preserving a national treasure.” I see classical music as a national treasure that needs to be nurtured and preserved and presented.
There are already for-profit radio stations that play pop music and folk music and rock music, but there are very few stations, CBC being one of the very few, that still elevate and promote classical music. So I think we would be within our rights to say “Wait a minute, what are doing?”
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Andy Scott
Thank you very much.
Thank you to all the witnesses for bringing that in in a timely fashion.
We'll have Mr. Scarpaleggia, for five minutes.
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
Thank you very much, Chair.
Thank you for your very erudite presentations. It's been very invigorating, really, to hear such considered opinions about music. And I commend Mr. Siksay for pursuing this issue and for bringing you to us via long-distance hookup.
I'm getting this sinking feeling that what we're witnessing here is the classical music equivalent of the cancellation of the Avro Arrow. I don't say that tongue-in-cheek at all. I really mean it.
I'm also getting the sense that what the CBC is trying to do is use the model used in film in Canada for classical music. In other words, let's maybe have a funding organism, like the Canada Council, independently funding private sector initiatives in artistic development. While it works for film, I'm not so sure it would work in the area of classical music.
My first question is to Ms. Danielson.
Do you believe that the symphony orchestras across Canada, as a rule, are paying enough attention to new works by Canadian composers? I know that many orchestras like to reserve part of their program for new works, generally, and probably for good reason, maybe because of commercial pressure or what have you. But do you find that they're just not able to showcase enough Canadian composers, like Murray Schafer and Ms. Coulthard? Is it Jean Coulthard?
4:45 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
Newsletter Editor, Canadian League of Composers
Yes.
Of course, I would love to see much more programming of recent music by Canadian composers, partly because there are so many young composers coming up who are doing really exciting and compelling work. We have John Estacio, who works in opera. His opera has been repeated now four times, which is almost unheard of, to sellout audiences. There are, yes, many young composers, and older composers, whose work really merits a lot more public attention. Not all of it does. And of course there has to be, and there always has been, a screening process whereby the better work is sifted out from the lesser work. But if not enough is heard at all, that process can't go on and we can't build a repertoire.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
I don't mean to interrupt, but I have limited time.
Basically, if I understand what you're saying, we can't leave it up to the private sector symphony orchestras.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
Francis Scarpaleggia Liberal Lac-Saint-Louis, QC
We need a sort of mixed system here, which is what Canada is known for.
You've answered my question there.
Obviously you've been lobbying. I don't mean that in the pejorative sense, but you've been speaking to CBC management. You've been giving the same presentations to CBC management over time. What kind of reaction are you getting? Do you find you're just up against a marketing machine in CBC management?
I'm not trying to get you to say anything negative about CBC management, but is there someone up there in management who empathizes with your concern? Or do you feel you're just maybe getting some lip service and then being shunted aside?
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
Newsletter Editor, Canadian League of Composers
I think that's directed to me.
Yes, the Canadian League of Composers has had this ongoing really very good relationship, and of course we're always pushing for more Canadian music. But in the past three or four years there's been a marked difference and, really, we feel as if we're up against a brick wall. There has been a marked change since the early 2000s and especially since the introduction of this survey in 2005.
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Vice-Chair Liberal Andy Scott
Thank you very much.
We'll now hear Mr. Malo, from the Bloc Québécois.
You have five minutes.
4:50 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Malo Bloc Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to be with us. I would just like to ask a precision to Mr. Dyck. In his presentation, he mentioned a number of artists, from Anne Murray to Céline Dion, who have made their mark and collaborate with various actors of the world of the classical music to showcase their talent.
Mr. Dyck, you said that CBC/Radio-Canada had put a number of artists on the map by presenting their works. You also said that in the 20th century, things were different and that some groups stood out because they were more audacious and presented their concerts in a bolder manner, more to the taste of the day. In 2008, some artists stand out in different musical styles and they are not always broadcast on the commercial radio stations.
Would it not be the role of CBC/Radio-Canada to present those artists on the public radio?
4:50 p.m.
Liberal
4:50 p.m.
As an Individual
It's a very good question.
As we all know, some of our popular artists get a great deal of play time on a variety of stations. Somebody like Anne Murray doesn't actually need our help to be successful. She was recently here and did sold-out concerts on her tour.
It seems to me that the mandate of the CBC is especially to encourage new and young talent, to present new composers and new works, and to help present Canadian artists to the world, if you will.
4:50 p.m.
Bloc
Luc Malo Bloc Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC
What about the new artists whose works are not played by the commercial radios and who do not fall in the category of classical music? Do they also have the right, as artists, to be promoted on the waves of the public radio?
4:55 p.m.
Artistic and Executive Director, Vancouver Chamber Choir
I'd just like to point out that there are young and old artists in all genres and that popular musicians are not only young—the Rolling Stones, eh—and classical musicians are not necessarily old.
It is important, though, that the basis of our culture, the basis of popular music, is in classical music. We must maintain the training, the education systems, which are based on classical music. They're very important for the growth of young musicians in all genres.