In other words, we're limited by a deadline. If you're telling me we can't take intermediate measures in the meantime, we'll have to wait for the 2020 deadline
I remember the words of Douglas Barrett, who was chair of the former version of the Canada media fund. He told the Globe and Mail, I believe, that this panel would ultimately present recommendations in January 2020.
Everyone here is knocking on doors to get elected. You obviously told people it would happen after you were re-elected, and asked them not to say a word about it or to complain or else the Conservatives would get elected. I consider that cynical. Let's say I'll overlook it. The cultural sector will hope for the best in the next election. Poor you.
So the report will be tabled in January 2020. Messrs. Piché and Francis may work on a bill that we'll see at the end of the session or perhaps even in the fall. By our best calculations, that will take us up to 2022-2023 before any actual changes are made.
As I told you in the House the other day, if it hadn't been for this media assistance, the National Post, Postmedia and the Ottawa Citizen would simply have closed their doors by 2023. You've applied a good band-aid, which is appropriate, and so much the better. However, there'll be nothing else in the meantime. Amazon Prime and Hulu are coming. Netflix continues to enjoy the shabby agreement that was reached.
Is it true that nothing will happen before 2022?