Canadian Heritage Committee on March 23rd, 2011

[Tom Pentefountas]

Well, we're going to have a hearing on that in the upcoming months. It's an issue. Many issues arise from that.

There was a time when we had broadcasters, and we had people involved in telecom, and those lines are slowly coming together. Now the question is whether there will be undue preference if we're producing the product.

Take Quebec as an example. I don't want to use specific companies, but when you're producing a product you have the channel that's showing that product, and you're also controlling the cable company that's distributing that product. There's an issue there, because you have independent producers who are running out of places to sell their products.

[Bonnie Crombie, Liberal, Mississauga—Streetsville, ON]

I need to get one more question in, if I can, because my time is almost up.

The CRTC's position on usage-based billing differs from the government's. How will you reconcile those two positions?

[Tom Pentefountas]

Well, as you know, honourable member, that issue is coming before the CRTC shortly. There was a decision that was overturned by the government, as is the government's prerogative, and we will have to address that issue in the coming months. I think it would be unwise for any member of the CRTC to pronounce on that and give a personal opinion before we have a chance to hear arguments and representations.

Our job is to listen and to think clearly as to what would be in the best interest of Canadians and the providers of services.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Pentefountas.

Madame Lavallée.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I have a number of questions to ask.

You must realize, Mr. Pentefountas, that the reason your appointment raises so many questions on this committee is that it makes no sense. The job offer, the notice of vacancy we saw, had 25 criteria, but you don't meet any of them.

Furthermore, all kinds of people have the skills you claim to have. There are lots of people like you in Quebec, people with legal rigour and knowledge. What's more, there wasn't even any requirement for the candidate to be from Quebec, the requirement was to be francophone. In fact, you don't even meet that criterion, because even though you speak French very well, it is obviously not your mother tongue. You went to school in English.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Ms. Lavallée, Mr. Rodriguez has a point of order.

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

Excuse me, but I consider myself francophone, even though my mother tongue is Spanish. So I would ask you to be careful about that.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I know, but—

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

That's not a point of order. It's not a matter of procedure, it's a matter of debate.

Madame Lavallée has the floor. I'd ask that members, when they have interventions to make that are not of concern regarding procedure, save those interventions for the time they have been allocated as per the routine motions, so we can have some order in this committee.

The floor is yours, Ms. Lavallée.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I will continue my argument then. I said that your appointment created such an outcry because you did not meet any of the criteria or requirements of the job. As I stated earlier, thousands and even hundreds of thousands of people in Quebec have the qualities that you say you possess. Your only asset is that you know Mr. Housakos.

If you did not know Mr. Housakos, if you had not been active in the Conservative Party or the ADQ, would you be the vice-chair of the CRTC or sitting across from us today discussing your job?

[Tom Pentefountas]

Mr. Chair, I would first like to thank the member for her subtle question and for the restraint she has shown.

I have not looked at a dictionary today, but it seems to me that if we were to define the word francophone, we would refer to someone who works and lives in French. Being able to express oneself in that language should not—

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I apologize for interrupting you, but I would like you to answer my question.

If you did not know Senator Housakos, would you be vice-chair of the CRTC today and would you be sitting here trying to justify why you were appointed to this job for which you meet none of the criteria?

[Tom Pentefountas]

First, as concerns the language question—

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

No, I'm sorry, Mr. Pentefountas, but you must be good enough to answer the questions, when you are seated in that place.

[Tom Pentefountas]

It would also be good of you, and show basic courtesy, if you did not interrupt people when they are speaking.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Here, we interrupt each other frequently because our time is limited.

[Tom Pentefountas]

I understand.

First, as concerns the language question—

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

No, I'm sorry, but I want you to answer my question.

[Tom Pentefountas]

Being able to express oneself in one language does not mean that one cannot express oneself in another language.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

Mr. Pentefountas, if you do not answer my question concerning Senator Housakos, it is because you do not have an answer or because the answer lies in my question.

I apologize, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Madame Lavallée, would you please allow Mr. Pentefountas to respond to the question? If after a short amount of time he has not answered the question, then you can move on to another question, but just give him the floor for a moment to answer the question.

Mr. Pentefountas, you have the floor.

[Tom Pentefountas]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It is not up to me to justify this appointment. I followed the process, I was interviewed, I was called to serve and it is with a great deal of pride that I am committed to doing so.

I think that at some point you have to give the person the benefit of the doubt. We can meet again. I would be pleased to come and see you regularly to answer your questions and listen to you. You are in a privileged situation. Every weekend, you go back home, you listen to your voters, and you can present solutions to the CRTC. I would be pleased to meet with you regularly.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I do not think that you understand your role.

[The Chair, Conservative, Michael Chong]

Thank you, Mr. Pentefountas.

Ms. Lavallée.

[Carole Lavallée, Bloc, Saint-Bruno—Saint-Hubert, QC]

I think you misunderstand your role, Mr. Pentefountas. Your role is not to come before us to hear what we have to say on behalf of our fellow citizens. Your role is described in 25 criteria contained in the notice of vacancy. Among other qualifications, you need sufficient experience formulating cultural or regulatory policy. You must provide broadcasting-related suggestions to the chairperson, you must, and I did not come up with this, possess extensive knowledge of the legislative framework and mandate of the CRTC, an understanding of the relevant global, societal, economic trends, and I continue on...

In any case, even the minister, James Moore, acknowledged this in the House, you do not have the required experience.

It should be noted that your appointment is related to your affiliation with the Conservative Party. The Conservative government is seeking to take control of agencies and regulatory institutions. That is the only possible explanation for your appointment to a position that should never have been yours, and for which there were nine qualified candidates, as stated in La Presse, on Monday February 14. In fact the title of the article I have before me is "Selection of the CRTC Vice-Chair: Harper's Office Involved".

We understand not only that the Prime Minister played an important role in the selection process but that he found a candidate through whom he can control the CRTC and to whom he will provide direction that is to be followed by the CRTC.

That is what needs to be said.