Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, gentlemen, and welcome.
The problem when you go second is that a number of issues have already been addressed. To my mind, the government or the OECD has it all wrong when it says that we lack innovation. On the contrary, I think we are innovative. Certain reports, other than the government's and the OECD's, even say so, for that matter. Now we see we are front and centre and at the heart of the problem. What percentage of foreign investment should we allow, and to what extent?
TELUS recommended total liberalization. Bell, however, recommended liberalization up to 49%. The chairman of the CRTC was also in favour of the 49% threshold, but he did not mention anything with respect to broadcasting. So the issue could be debated rather extensively. One thing is certain: why go beyond the 49% threshold in telecoms when we know full well there is convergence? As my colleague said, the one who controls the medium also controls the content, when all is said and done.
I want to know what you, the other two stakeholders, think—it is somewhat innovative, but not necessarily without risk—of Bell Canada's proposal to open the market to foreign ownership up to a limit of 49%. That also includes all integrated carriers, which would mean a certain measure of equality as well as an impact on broadcasting companies.