I believe that your question has six or seven points.
I know that in the past, your committee has underscored the importance of this $60 million investment in the programming of CBC/Radio-Canada. Each of our four budgets that were passed by the House of Commons included the $60 million, including this year's budget. We therefore complied with this committee's opinion.
As I said to Mr. Rodriguez, we promised, during the election campaign, to maintain or increase the budget of the Corporation. We have honoured that commitment every year in each of our budgets.
I cannot be responsible for the schedule of the Prime Minister, just as you cannot be for that of Mr. Duceppe. The Prime Minister has stated on several occasions in public that our government understands the importance of CBC/Radio-Canada, whether in terms of culture or the future of our country. My office staff and I often discuss these concerns with Mr. Lacroix. We have a good relationship and we work together to prepare the future.
Lastly, you stated that certain members of the Conservative Party are not concerned about CBC/Radio-Canada's survival. I can tell you that that is completely false. Each of our members voted in favour of our budget, which has increased the funding for CBC/Radio-Canada every year. I would also like to point out that in the past, the Liberal Party stated that it had difficulty balancing the federal budget. In reality, the federal budget was balanced in 1997-1998. In 1998-1999, that is, the following year, CBC/Radio-Canada's budget was $896 million, but even though the budget was balanced, the Liberals cut its funding by $16 million.
Now, despite the global economic crisis and as part of a budget intended to counter that crisis, we are continuing to invest in CBC/Radio-Canada, and we have even increased funding for public broadcasting. That is the difference.
You are joining forces with the Liberal Party and with Mr. Rodriguez. Despite your document, and your [Note de la rédaction: inaudible], the fact remains that it was the Liberals who cut the CBC's funding. They cut 4,000 jobs and $400 million; we are the ones who have been supporting CBC/Radio-Canada.