Evidence of meeting #44 for Canadian Heritage in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Roger Pomerleau Bloc Drummond, QC
I would have a serious problem with that.
Seriously, I am thinking of warning the people in my riding ahead of time. Mrs. Edwards, I would like to know what you will write in a message sent to my constituents. Might this be, for example, the first principles, places they can call, web pages they can consult, and so on?
Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS)
A short, two-page document has already been prepared to provide Canadians with the basic information. We have also spoken with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, the CRTC and other agencies about it. We are encouraging the idea of producing a brochure saying what the municipalities can do if there is a service interruption.
One of the first things this brochure could say is what will happen to the television stations in their area. Are they going to be broadcast in digital, in analog, and what equipment will they need to buy? Then, if the people are no longer receiving service, the brochure could indicate what the municipality or township can do to fill the holes in the commercial system. This is what we want to offer. The brochure would include 15 or 20 pages of information and would let people know where to go to learn more.
Bloc
Roger Pomerleau Bloc Drummond, QC
You are meeting with the municipalities or the Union des municipalités du Québec.
Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS)
The problem is the lack of funds. One of our members, Valemount Community Television in British Columbia, already offers this type of service. It is possible to collect all this information from members of our organization. But I am a volunteer, and it would take time and effort.
Then, we need to find a way to distribute them. I mentioned the Fédération québécoise des municipalités. There is another association of municipalities in Quebec. Someone told me that, if I prepare the information, people would be willing to work with us to distribute it. But there is little time left to be able to offer another service through a transmission tower.
President, Media Access Canada
It's also important to recognize that you're going to have to go into the people's homes. They're not going to be able to do it all the time on their own. There needs to be that part of it that is very grassroots and community-based aspect.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Something my colleague Roger suggested bothers me a little. Indeed, MPs are going to do the work of the Conservative government. It's up to the government to coordinate the transition, to pay for it and for the brochures, as it has been done in all the other countries around the world. I am a little troubled that, as an MP, I must invest my time, my money and my energy to do the work that the government isn't doing. This was just a little comment. From time to time, it does me good to air my opinion.
Mrs. Edwards, you said earlier that, as of September 1st, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation will no longer transmit a signal east of Rimouski. Can you confirm that? What are you basing this on?
Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS)
Yes, I can confirm it. CBC indicated that, after 2013, its satellite network transmitting the signal to all its transmission towers will probably no longer be in service. CBC or Radio-Canada will no longer transmit outside the 31 main and mandatory markets. People from the Canadian Media Guild and the CBC union told me about it.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
That surprises me a bit because, as you know, CBC…
Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS)
Yes, it is required to.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
…is in the process of installing a completely digital and high-tech site in Rimouski. CBC is investing a lot of time, energy and resources into this new station, which should be located in Rimouski. I cannot believe that this station is going to be put in and that, then, people will never be able to tune in to it.
Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS)
The irony for Quebec is that Télé-Québec, your provincial broadcaster, is going to put…
Conservative
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Actually, it is our national broadcaster. There is our national assembly and our national broadcaster.
Conservative
Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS)
I'm sorry. My mistake. I know that, but I forgot.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Quebec is my country. Bravo, you're starting to understand. That's good.
Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS)
Télé-Québec promised to modify all their transmission towers so that they can support digital broadcasting. It is ironic that CBC does not intend to do so. It's a problem of financial resources. CBC hopes that the government will provide the funds.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Michael Chong
Thank you, Mrs. Lavallée. Thank you, Mrs. Edwards and Ms. Milligan.
I think that's the end of the questions and comments.
Spokesperson, Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS)
Can I add something important?
