Canadian Heritage Committee on Feb. 14th, 2011

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Welcome to the 41^st meeting of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, this Monday, February 14, 2011. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), we are here today to study the mandate and funding of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).

We have with us today three witnesses: Mr. Lacroix, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBC/Radio-Canada; Ms. Stewart, Executive Vice-President of English Services; and Mr. Lafrance, Executive Vice-President of French Services.

Welcome everyone.

We'll begin with an opening statement.

[Hubert T. Lacroix, President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Members of the committee, good afternoon.

Thank you for inviting us to come and talk about our strategic plan. I'd also like to thank you for allowing us additional time to present our plan to you. I understand this might be precedent-setting, but don't worry, this is actually a good one.

This strategic plan, “Everyone, Every way”, well, you've heard of that a little bit. It's our road map for the kind of public broadcaster we believe we need to be by 2015: more nimble and more connected with Canadians in more meaningful ways.

I spoke a little bit about it the last time we were here, in December.

You have already received some background documents on today's discussion through the clerk. But being in media, I thought it would be useful, appropriate and rather enjoyable to start off our presentation this afternoon with a video.

[Audiovisual presentation]

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Mr. Lacroix, the floor is yours.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Mr. Chair, Everyone, Every Way is our plan and our commitment to Canadians in an ever-changing broadcast world. Our four guiding principles will ensure that CBC/Radio-Canada will continue to fulfill its mandate to Canadians under the Broadcasting Act.

I am eager to hear what you think, but let me begin by giving you some additional information.

First, you should know that we are not asking Parliament for more money to carry out this plan. We understand the economic challenges facing the government and Canadians. We are very grateful for the $1.1 billion Parliament provides to CBC/Radio-Canada to fulfill its responsibilities.We are also grateful for the support of this committee, which, in 2008, recommended that our appropriation be increased from $34 to $40 per Canadian.

But we are not asking for more money. We are asking for stability in our funding--in both our appropriation and the $60 million for Canadian programming that we have been receiving since 2001. That stability is essential to our ability to make the adjustments and investments that this plan requires.

Second, this plan comes with a report card. Each of our four guiding principles has been broken down into specific metrics--measurements that will show how quickly we are reaching our 2015 goals. Twice a year our board of directors will be given the report card to ensure it can monitor how well we're progressing. This information will also be immediately posted on our website, and we will report back to this committee so that everyone is clear on what we're doing.

Finally, we want to hear from Canadians about our vision, our guiding principles, and the main thrust of our strategy. We've set up a website to facilitate online consultation and provide more information on our plan. Engaging with our audiences--every one, every way--is how I believe CBC/Radio-Canada will develop a deeper relationship with the people we serve.

Thank you for your time today. I'll be happy to respond to your questions.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Lacroix.

We now have an hour and a half for questions and comments.

We will begin with Mr. Rodriguez.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Lacroix, Ms. Stewart and Mr. Lafrance, welcome to the committee. I am glad to have you here.

That was an excellent video presentation. You did that very well, Mr. Lacroix. You could be on television.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

No comment.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

One of your closing remarks was that you were not asking for more money. But your funding should not be cut either. I believe you based your plan on what you have now. Do you have any assurance that your funding will, at least, remain stable over the next few years?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

We have no funding guarantees other than what our minister has said over the past few months regarding his support for CBC/Radio-Canada funding.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

I think your plan is excellent. I spent a lot of time poring over it. I think you need guaranteed funding for the next five years.

Is that $60 million always earmarked for the same thing, programming? And is it subject to renewal every year?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

The $60 million has to be renewed this year. We usually find out whether we will get it or not around this time every year.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Yes, now.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

That $60 million goes directly into Canadian programming.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

What will happen to your plan if your budget is cut?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

If that $60 million is not available, it would be a bit disastrous for us in terms of being able to carry out the plan within the set deadlines. We have been receiving that funding since 2001, and only once, was it allocated to us for more than a year at a time. Our goal is to carry out our plan. If we do not happen to get the funding, we will have to pull back on certain initiatives, and we will not be able to stay on schedule.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Have you had any discussions with the government? It is clear to me that this should be built into your core funding and should not be up for debate every time. I understand that you do not necessarily need more money, even though we would all be happy to have it, but you do need stability.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

You are absolutely right, and that is the point I am trying to make.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

This is sort of directed to my friends across the way. Building that $60 million into the core funding would provide that stability, because it would not have to be negotiated this month, again in a year and so forth. Have you had any such discussions with the government?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

We have not had any such discussions with the government. Every year, we discuss the $60 million and whether or not it is available.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

When you say signature events, I assume that some are in English and some are in French.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

“Signature events” in English and “grands événements” in French.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Ten in each language or....

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Ten in English and ten in French.

[Pablo Rodriguez, Liberal, Honoré-Mercier, QC]

Could you give us an example of a signature event?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Programs that bring together large numbers of Canadians and have an impact on culture. This year, our French service will be doing a Darwin day. That is something completely new. CBC did the Champions of Change contest and the Live Right Now challenge. Radio-Canada also broadcast a Christmas concert at the Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal. These are events that no one else has done and that really set us, the public broadcaster, apart from the others.