Evidence of meeting #47 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 cbc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Right. So you would prefer the Toronto station to the Outaouais one?
3:40 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
Yes, because the entire North is covered from Toronto, while the Ottawa station focuses mainly on the Outaouais region, which is less a reflection of our situation.
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
You don't seem to be satisfied with how your region is covered by journalists. You mentioned your flag earlier.
3:40 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
Yes, it was an anecdote to show that sometimes, because there is no budget and we don't have a journalist on site, we have to persuade the radio station of the importance of some activity or other when we shouldn't have to. We send out releases and other invitations but if they don't answer because the budget is limited, we have to put up with that.
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
I can tell you that that is how it is in nearly every region. You send out releases and the journalists make a choice. I am not defending Radio-Canada and I'm not saying you are better served, but that is the reality. The journalists make a choice.
3:40 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
Sad to say, but that is kind of how it is. If a francophone knows that they are going to be heard or seen on Radio-Canada, that's a good incentive to listen to that station. But if it rarely covers events happening in our region, or covers them only a little or almost not at all, how can we encourage people to listen to it?
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
What do they do, then, when they aren't satisfied with the coverage by Radio-Canada? How do you say it in proper French, they "switch" to English?
3:40 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
That's right, and unfortunately, that is what happens.
3:40 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
In recent years, has it improved or has it deteriorated?
3:40 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
No, it has improved.
3:45 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
We didn't have television before. We have been getting radio since 1995. Before that we had nothing. We can see there has been an effort to cover our region better.
3:45 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
Have you compared the coverage your community is offered—it's actually a small francophone community, 7,300 people—with what is offered to communities in other provinces? Do you have contact with francophones in other provinces?
3:45 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
I talk to...
3:45 p.m.
Bloc
Carole Lavallée Bloc Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC
You can answer because the time I am allowed is up.
3:45 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
Right.
I have had the opportunity to attend meetings with other representatives of French Ontario or with Acadians. It seems to me that they are better served, yes, but you would have to ask them the question.
March 21st, 2011 / 3:45 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good afternoon, Mr. Carrière, and welcome to our committee.
3:45 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
Thank you, Mr. Angus.
3:45 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
I would like to follow up on something my colleague Ms. Lavallée asked you. You said that the francophone population of Temiskaming is 7,000 people, is that right?
3:45 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
That is just for Temiskaming South. I didn't include Kirkland Lake in that.
3:45 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
Yes, but the population in the region of CBON is comparable to the francophone population of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, with Sudbury and Timmins, is that right?
3:45 p.m.
Community Project Officer, Association canadienne française de l'Ontario - Région Témiskaming
I think so. There are about 150,000 or 158,000 people.
3:45 p.m.
NDP
Charlie Angus NDP Timmins—James Bay, ON
For the francophone communities, it's comparable to Abitibi-Témiscamingue and the northeastern region of francophone Ontario.
