Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I did not cut the witness off when he had his time to make his statement. That's his time, uninterrupted, to make whatever statement he likes. I did ask him a direct question, which is why he removes the first sentence off that says, “This is not government policy”.
Obviously he doesn't want to say that, because he wrote a six-page diatribe, which he went out and fundraised from. Apparently, for as little as $3 a month, he's going to save the CBC. He's going to save the CBC with $3 a month. So I thought, “Wow, this is interesting. I'm going to write to the CBC and find out how this $3 a month is saving the CBC.”
So I received this letter back from Shaun Poulter, the senior director of government relations, and he wrote:
...there is no relationship. Ian Morrison and “Friends of Canadian Broadcasting” are in no way related to CBC/Radio Canada, nor does the public broadcaster cooperate in any way with the group. In fact, much of the “Friends” activities consist of letters and statements criticizing CBC/Radio-Canada and its activities.
“Friends of Canadian Broadcasting” uses mass mailings and other activities to generate contributions from Canadians. None of that money benefits CBC/Radio-Canada nor contributes to the Canadian programming services we provide. I do not know what Ian Morrison might mean by his claim that the funds he solicits “are directed to 'assisting' the CBC”.
I'll repeat:
I do not know what Ian Morrison might mean by his claim that the funds he solicits “are directed to 'assisting' the CBC”. As you know, CBC/Radio-Canada receives vital support from Canadians through its Parliamentary Appropriation; it does not accept direct payment from citizens to fund its activities.
Over the years, a number of Canadians have contacted us, confused about the possible linkage between the two organizations. CBC/Radio-Canada has written to Ian Morrison several times; we have asked him to clearly state on his website and fundraising literature that there is no linkage between his organization, its fundraising activities, and CBC/Radio-Canada.
But you haven't done that. This doesn't say that you're in no way affiliated with them. In fact, sir, what you say is, for as little as $3 a month, you're going to save the CBC. You're a fraud, sir. How would you respond to that?