I agree with my colleague, Mr. Petit.
I too was disturbed to read these reports regarding the CBC.
I note that the 1991 Broadcasting Act under which the CBC operates states in subparagraph 3(1)(m)(iii) that the programming provided by the corporation should “actively contribute to the flow and exchange of cultural expression”. In subparagraph 3(1)(m)(iv) it reads that it should “be in English and in French, reflecting the different needs and circumstances of each official language community, including the particular needs and circumstances of English and French linguistic minorities”, and in subparagraph 3(1)(m)(vi) that it should “contribute to shared national consciousness and identity”.
I think these three sections make it clear that the CBC has an obligation not only to carry services in both official languages but also to bridge the linguistic divide, the linguistic duality that our country has, and I think that cutting French language programming out of a broadcast when it was an integral component of that broadcast is something that we, as a committee, should study for just one meeting.
I would support completely the idea that we put the motion to study this for one meeting in front of the committee.