I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 34 of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
Before we begin, I'd like to ask all in-person participants to read the guidelines written on the updated cards on the table in front of you. They are measures in place to prevent feedback incidents and protect the health and safety of all participants, especially our interpreters. You'll notice that there's a QR code on the card. It links to a short awareness video.
Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. All comments should be addressed through the chair.
Finally, the clerk distributed two operational budgets. One is to cover extra meals for our study on the state of journalism and media sectors, and one is for the meeting with the minister on the main estimates.
Will you move to adopt them?
Moved by Ms. Royer.
(Motion agreed to)
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), and the motion adopted by the committee on Monday, September 22, 2025, the committee is meeting to study the state of the journalism and media sectors.
We have two new members joining us today, Ms. Tatiana Auguste and Ms. Alana Hirtle. Welcome to the heritage committee. It's good to have you.
I think everybody is in the room today and all of our witnesses have appeared at this committee before.
Christa Dickenson, from CPAC, the Cable Public Affairs Channel, is with us in the room. We also have Kevin Desjardins, president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters—welcome, sir—and Jeff Thiessen from the Miracle Channel Association. We have Barry Rooke, executive director of the National Campus and Community Radio Association—it's good to see you again—and Amir Epstein, chief executive officer from Tafsik Organization.
Welcome to everyone. You will each have five minutes for opening statements before I turn it over to committee members for questioning.
We'll start with CPAC.
Christa Dickenson, you have the floor for five minutes.