Thank you for having me at this important meeting on Bill C-100.
I'm here as a representative of the music industry in Quebec, but we represent most of the Canadian francophone artists in Canada. The people I represent are the entrepreneurs. They're not artists, but they're associated with the artists. I'm also here in my capacity as the co-chair of the Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, an association that represents 30 organizations in Canada in all cultural milieux: music, movies, literature and so on. I have the two hats on my head when I talk about that.
My presentation is mostly in French.
It's a pleasure to be here with you. It is common for people in the music and cultural industry to sit at the same table as indigenous representatives, but it is less common for them to sit at the same table as representatives from the automotive and pharmaceutical industries.
This negotiation, in which all sectors were represented, has a very significant impact on the cultural community, of course. We are very pleased to have been involved in the negotiations at all stages of the process.
From what I have heard today, we are very proud of Canadian companies, both in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors and in agriculture, as well as their products. It goes without saying that it is important for the Government of Canada to protect these companies so that they continue to contribute to Canada's wealth.
The cultural community expects the same from provincial and federal governments. In the cultural sector, there are talented artists, and entrepreneurs who support them. As in other sectors of the economy, we need to have a place to exist, prosper and reach the public.
In Canada, we have understood this for many years. For 40 or 50 years, we have been implementing cultural policies as issues arise, so we are envied around the world. Canada is doing very well in terms of implementing cultural policies.
As an example, let me mention a cultural policy that you may be hearing about and that is very important for our sector: the famous quotas for French-language vocal music on the radio. Since 1970, French-language radio stations in Canada have been required to make French-language vocal music 65% of their broadcasts, and it is essentially Canadian music. For us, this has been an important element in the development of our culture, so it has been copied by our friends in France. In 1996, they introduced quotas of 40%. Since then, they have seen a boom in the production and promotion of French artists.
All this was possible because Canada had kept intact the power to establish its own cultural policies despite the signing of several agreements over the years, which are intended instead to liberalize trade and prevent countries from taking specific measures in favour of their nationals. The cultural exemption was first negotiated in 1987 in the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement. It has been renewed over the years and is present again in new negotiations with the United States and Mexico. We are very proud that the government has maintained this exemption.