Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
First of all, I would like to thank you, Mr. Lacroix, for agreeing to appear today, as well as for the discussion that we had last week.
I'd like to begin by noting, of course, that it's a pleasure to be able to participate as members of Parliament. I'm sure all of us share that pleasure in being able to discuss such important issues.
One of the issues, that of our public and national broadcaster, the CBC, is of the most fundamental to our hearts, not just as representatives of our residents but also as Canadians. I'm quite concerned by some of the critical comments I've heard. Of course, we understand there's always room for criticism, and of course, in this time it's important to ask questions. Certainly, for my colleagues on the other side and the negative tone that's used about the work CBC is doing, I feel that given this difficult time we need to be engaging in some positive relationships with our public broadcaster, with all our media, but certainly looking to how we're going to make this situation better for the people who are losing their jobs and also for Canadians who are counting on CBC for its important programming.
I appreciate the challenges CBC is facing. As someone who's grown up and come to know her region and also the world through the CBC, I very much appreciate the work it does.
I would like to ask the following, and I know it has come up in numerous manners here today, but particularly focusing on the cuts in my region, specifically the cuts to a station in our region of CBC North Country, based in Thompson, Manitoba. I'd also like to bring attention to the cut of the station in our neighbouring province, Saskatchewan, of CBC Keewatin Country, based in La Ronge.
I know you've noted that stations will not be cut, and I would like to understand that is the intent. However, there seems to have been a disconnect. The day these two stations were said to be cut, they went from stations to bureaus, when in fact both the CRTC licence as well as the CBC website itself notes they are stations.
The comment I do bring forward, and of course, the feedback on behalf of the region I represent and my neighbours to the west, is to ask for reconsideration for these stations. I want to be clear as to what we're talking about here. We're talking about one person in each of these places who provides the voice for a region like mine, which is 11 times the size of England, and similar on the other side of the border. In my region, we're talking about CBC North Country, the work done by one person to transmit our voice to 23 communities, and similarly on the west, the work done in northern Saskatchewan to transmit to 18 communities. It's remarkable work, and work that's not only vitally important to our region but important to our provinces and important to our nation as well.
My question is perhaps more specific, but looking at that ratio of how many people are based in Winnipeg, for example, versus outside the capital, it concerns me that if we are to lose our station, we'll have one person outside of Winnipeg who will not be providing regular programming, but rather would be a reporter to be called on, depending on stories that are taking place. I understand it is a similar situation in Saskatchewan.
Given the emphasis on regional programming that you've pointed out—but certainly that is core to the CBC mandate—I am asking on behalf of the region I represent, and also for my neighbours, that these stations be reinstated, that the programming be seen for what it is, important, and that the work of these two staff people on either side of the border be recognized as being key to realizing the CBC's mandate. Certainly, many discussions will be had about how that can move forward. However, fundamentally, the recognition that programming for the north in the north is core to CBC's key mandate is something I would certainly like to convey on behalf of the people I represent.
That's the comment and question I have. Thank you.