Thank you, Madam Chair.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak and provide comments today.
I'd like to acknowledge that I am on the unceded territories of the Haudenosaunee and the Mississaugas of the Credit first nation.
Unifor is Canada's largest private sector union, with more than 310,000 members across Canada working in 20 economic sectors. Our union represents more than 10,000 media workers, including 5,000 members in the broadcast and film industries.
In 2009, Red Deer lost their TV station, making them the biggest city in Canada not beside a metropolitan centre that doesn't have a TV station. Since then, employment in private conventional television has decreased by more than 30%.
This committee got it right in a 2017 report, when you talked about the importance of local news and its role in holding power to account, strengthening democracy and building community. Community has never been more important. Social media has proven to divide us, pitting neighbour against neighbour. We are more polarized than ever, but a strong Canadian media can build community.
This committee said:
Local media...perform a fundamental civic role by supplying reliable, timely and unbiased information on community affairs. They ensure public and private institutions are held to account.
The media also reflect our country's diversity.... They build bridges between cultures and support the integration of newcomers.
You also said the following:
We recognize the challenges the media face and we believe that steps must be taken to help them navigate this tumultuous period. Therefore, the Committee has developed the following statement of principle:
Given the media's importance as a reflection of Canada's diversity and a pillar of our democracy, the Government of Canada must implement the necessary measures to support the existence of a free and independent media and local news reporting.
Go ahead, Olivier.