In conclusion, since the final terms and conditions for eligibility to the revamped fund are still unknown, the Canada Council is not yet in a position to assess the full impact of the offerings provided under the newly constituted Canada Music Fund on the specialized and diverse musicians in whom the Canada Council invests.
I would like to emphasize that the council has received strong reactions to the government's announcement and seen similar reactions in the media, as have the members of this committee and, no doubt, other parliamentarians.
The Canada Council is only too aware of one very important fact: Sound recordings are the single primary driver to finding work as a professional musician or as an ensemble, so the need for current, high-quality recordings remains critical and we regret not being a partner in the sustaining of the recording ecosystem.
It is our hope that the changes brought about will continue to provide assistance for the production and distribution of recordings of specialized music, music that emphasizes artistic considerations, creativity, free expression, or experimentation, music that does not necessarily meet conventional profit-based criteria and formats as defined by the popular music marketplace. Such music often provides vibrant, innovative and important new initiatives in music that are later imitated or integrated into commercial music. It would be very sad were they to wither from the lack of a relatively small amount of investment in the overall music economy.
Merci. We will be pleased to answer your questions.