Thank you, Madam Chair.
The Regroupement des festivals régionaux artistiques indépendants, which represents more than 130 festivals in Quebec, now also brings together francophone festivals elsewhere in Canada. Our sphere of influence is therefore not just in Quebec.
I would like to talk to you about a situation now playing out in Canada and in Quebec. This is the dominance of a group called Live Nation, especially in Montreal. It owns 49% of a group called Evenko. The 49% gives it significant influence and allows it to keep obtaining support from grants, since the company remains Canadian.
The group formed by Evenko and Live Nation owns seven festivals in Quebec and six venues. Elsewhere in Canada, its position is even more dominant. In Toronto, for example, it owns all major events and all venues. It has a significant impact on the music scene in Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec. The monopoly is a real threat to Quebec's—not to say Canada's—cultural sovereignty.
We have frequently condemned this group's dominant position in Quebec to federal, provincial and municipal government authorities, from whom the group receives significant grants. The group's dominance is even greater in the rest of Canada. It is a curious paradox to see our governments subsidizing an American company like Live Nation, which is harming our culture.
Live Nation also owns Ticketmaster, which is 100% American. It is everywhere in the largest festivals and the biggest venues. Ticketmaster has created a concept called dynamic pricing, which greatly affects the cost of tickets. In the United States, Live Nation is facing lawsuits from more than 30 states and has had to spend more than $420 million in lawyers' fees. What clearer indication can there be that its practices are not acceptable? In Quebec, a class action against Ticketmaster about the cost of tickets is in progress.
We have heard little about the airing of Enquête's reporting on Radio-Canada last February. The report caused a shockwave in political and performing arts circles.
We might actually have expected politicians to react more strongly. We repeat that having such concentration in the hands of a huge player like Live Nation clearly threatens our culture, in that an American company controls it.
When we discussed the issue with the Enquête reporter, she actually acknowledged that it was the worst code of silence she had witnessed in her journalism career. It was stronger than the omertà of organized crime and the mafia. Very few people in Quebec and in Canada wanted to talk about the monopoly. This shows the power the group holds in Quebec and in Canada.
Unfortunately, little has changed since.
I have just come back from a trip to Europe for discussions on the concentration of major players in music. It is having many negative effects in Europe. For example, Live Nation's purchase of one of France's largest venues, where Céline Dion will perform, caused shockwaves in Europe. We believe that a partnership between Canada and Europe is needed to counter the strength of these major groups. We see that our Prime Minister has created many ties with Europe. Perhaps this is a good time to focus on this issue too.
We must bring this problem and this situation to the political level. It cannot remain a matter for the artists, the venues and the festivals to deal with.
Thank you very much.