This is an interesting motion, Mr. Chairman. However, it does present a few small problems.
While the Banff World Television Festival was taking place, the Canadian Television Fund released its annual report. When the CTF was set up, it provided for a historic 37% share of total funding to be allocated to the public sector stream, and obviously, I would like that funding formula to be maintained. I respect the CRTC's decision. However, the CTF is fairly complex and for that reason, I don't think we should make any kind of decision until the minister has had time to react. In fact, I'm sure she will need to do much better than what we've seen over the past two years.
I do not have a problem with splitting the CTF into public-sector and private-sector streams provided that cable broadcaster, in response to Shaw Communications and others, are required to pay on a monthly basis. That's good news.
However, I do have a problem with the idea of setting up one board of directors for the private sector, and another for the public sector. I find it unacceptable that other educational and public broadcasters have been allowed to decide their own fate. I'm thinking here in particular about TV5 and Vision TV. APTN, the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, will have to choose between the public and private sectors. That is a dreadful situation. APTN may broadcast in English or in French and may choose to draw its funding from the private sector. However, since APTN supports the growth and development of aboriginal languages, it may also choose to associate itself with the public sector. In both cases, even by protecting the historical 37% share of funding allocated to the CBC/SRC, it's clear that the level of funding will be inadequate. The same holds true for public television.
This is an extremely complex issue, Mr. Chairman. I know that many people are anxiously awaiting the minister's reaction. In my humble opinion, the minister abdicated her responsibility when she asked the CRTC to do her job. That's my personal opinion. I respect people who tell the CRTC what to do, but while I admit we must protect the Commission's independence, it is also important that we not shirk our own work-related responsibilities.
For the sake of the future of the Canadian Television Fund, we need to do more than simply pass a motion—and there is no question that the efforts of the CRTC have been very useful. I want to protect the CBC/SRC which will be asking us to examine further the future of the Fund. That's the first point I wanted to make.
I'm taking my time, Mr. Chairman, because this is important. I'm not filibustering.
The second point I want to make is that in my estimation, the Fund itself will create other problems for participants. This motion provides that only the CBC/SRC will be protected and we don't have a problem with that or with the recommendation for long-term funding following several studies. We want assurances that this funding will be forthcoming.
This raises another question. The CRTC will be tabling a report on private-sector productions. Audience ratings and therefore BBM surveys will be important.
As for the 37% funding share allocated to educational or public programming, I would never establish a link between funding levels and ratings or BBM surveys. However, I think it would be appropriate to verify the figures, even when public sector funding is allocated, because it is the taxpayers' money. Therefore, it's important to strike a balance.
I applaud Maria for her efforts. I agree that assets need to be protected. There is a historic precedent for funding levels, as the CRTC has already noted. However, because of the Fund's complexity and the ramifications of the CRTC's recommendations, and given our expectations and the fact that we do not know how the minister will react, the motion is akin in some respects to putting the cart before the horse.
Should we not await the minister's response, Mr. Chairman? I do not want to oppose this motion, but should we not set it aside for now and await the minister's reaction? That said, the minister must respond within a set timeframe and we must stand by our conviction that the CBC/SRC must maintain its historic access to funding.
Adequate public funding must also be assured. We must not think only about the CBC/SRC, but also about other educational broadcasters. We must resolve the problem of Télé-Québec, given the dissatisfaction with aboriginal television and other educational broadcasters. I think we're moving a little too fast to an “à la carte” approach.
I don't want to oppose this motion, Mr. Chairman. I want to make it very clear that I support funding. We invented the concept of historic access, but I realize that over the past two years, the share of public funding has decreased, to where it now stands at $120 million for 2007-2008. If memory serves me well, that funding stood at $132 million in 2005 and at $120 million is 2006-2007.
I concur with Mrs. Mourani that splitting the Fund into public and private sector streams will result in an overall funding shortfall for public programming. However the obligation to fund cable broadcasters on a monthly basis will make the CTF less vulnerable to the reactions of certain cable broadcasters. In that sense, the recommendation is positive. Overall, the recommendations as well as the Fund itself are subtle and complex in nature. I'm wondering if we shouldn't wait, while affirming at the same time our desire to provide the necessary funding and support the historic 37% funding share.
I've given you an overview of the situation because in light of the discussions I have had with partners who use the Fund, I think we need to think about small companies and small producers who want to produce public and educational programming, and not lose sight of the important fact that this Fund was established to protect the historic access of the CBC/SRC to funding.
These were the general comments I wanted to make, Mr. Chairman, but I believe they were relevant. I want everyone to understand clearly the spirit in which these comments were made today.