We need to start with what we mentioned in our opening remarks. We need to take the partisanship out of this. CBC is meant to serve all Canadians, regardless of who they vote for or what part of the country they live in.
The issue of governance, while it may seem like a bit of dry policy matter, is fundamental to the public broadcaster's success. Appointments to the CBC board should be far more independent, in the same manner, let's say, that we appoint judges. The board, not the Prime Minister, should hire and fire the president. As is done with the BBC, perhaps every seven to 10 years, our Parliament should undertake a charter review process that includes performance commitments, public accountability and secure funding.
More than anything, I think we would argue that what the CBC needs is long-term, sustainable funding. We are talking about an organization that we are asking to have a vision, set objectives and execute on those objectives when they don't know what their budget is from year to year.
Friends of Canadian Media has 10 employees. We have approximately a $2.6-million budget. As the executive director, if I can't do that without knowing what my budget's going to be for a bit more than one year, then I don't know how the CBC can do it.