Official Languages Committee on May 27th, 2008

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

That's a very hypothetical question, Mr. Nadeau, because, that evening, Radio-Canada chose not to broadcast the gala. Radio-Canada chooses to broadcast other galas. If you observe what's been done for a number of years, there are numerous galas. For example, Radio-Canada chooses to broadcast the Gala de l'ADISQ, the Gala des Olivier, the Soirée des Jutra and the Prix Gémeaux. When it makes its choices, it tries to present the greatest artisans and the best-known individuals to its francophone audience.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

As regards the mandate, whether it's that of Radio-Canada or that of the CBC, shouldn't you present culture in general across Canada? Perhaps we missed the boat that evening, didn't we?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

You're absolutely right. And during the year, there are more than 200 occasions when we try to build that kind of bridge. You're also right in saying that we could have done better that evening.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Nadeau.

We'll go over to Mr. Godin.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Good morning, Mr. Lacroix.

What is Radio-Canada's real mandate?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Radio-Canada's mandate is very clear and stems from the act. Our obligation is to inform and entertain Canadians through essentially Canadian programming on the largest possible number of platforms in order to interest the largest possible number of Canadians.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

You've often said that, if it were to be done over again... What would actually do, if you could go back in time?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

We could have done things differently that evening. I'm not the program director, Mr. Godin. The people who have much greater expertise than I in editing this kind of event, which lasts three and a quarter hours and is cut down to 44 minutes, would be in a better position than I am to answer that. We could have done a better job to reflect the diverse nature of the performances.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I understand, but the vice-president of Radio-Canada clearly said that the audience was anglophone, that that was the target audience and that people would have changed channels. That's insulting; it hurts a little. I haven't just heard Johnny Cash on English-language television! You don't change channels every time you hear singers that I've liked. They're singers. We're not talking about presenting a film with subtitles; we're talking about someone who sings. When our aboriginal people sing, do people change channels? That's what hurts. If you recognize that, it's appreciated.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Mr. Chairman, I hope that's what you've understood from my remarks. Mr. Godin, I hope that's what you've understood as well.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

It's unfortunate that someone says people will change channels because it's in a certain language. We're tired of hearing that. That doesn't promote the two official languages or our communities in our country.

You also talked about Tout le monde en parle. That's a program for Quebec. Is there one for the rest of Canada? That's why I was talking to you about the mandate.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Yes.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

We also see that programs broadcast in the Atlantic region don't go any further than Madawaska. As for the National Hockey League or the program Tout le monde en parle, why is that reserved for Quebec? Isn't Radio-Canada a national television network?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Mr. Godin, I'm pleased to answer that question because, once again, that's related to the mandate of each of the programs. The people who program them or who have expertise in that field appeal to an audience, in this case a francophone audience. The program's mandate is to target a fundamentally Québécois audience. And that's not a hidden agenda. On the contrary, it's very clear. Other programs build bridges across Canada. They focus, for example, on agriculture or entertainment. In many cases, the mandate does not simply focus on one specific region or audience.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

They invite people from France on Tout le monde en parle, but they don't invite a lot from elsewhere in Canada. And yet we're talking about Radio-Canada.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Mr. Godin, I hear you and I can tell you that the number of people taking part in our programs properly reflects news and current affairs, so that all Canadians are interested in a program such as Tout le monde en parle. However, the mandate is essentially regional. We have a lot of programs whose mandates—

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

We're talking about mandates, and I'm thinking about our singer from Quebec who went to Toronto. I watch the national news and I think it almost solely reflects the reality in Montreal. At one time, your company was called Radio-Canada; then it was called Radio-Québec, and now it could virtually be called Radio-Montréal. Let's be frank: the national news doesn't concern other regions than Quebec.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

Mr. Godin, what you're telling me is interesting. When I go to Quebec City, people tell me that Montreal is the centre of attraction. When I go to the Gaspé Peninsula, they tell me that Quebec City is the problem, that everything is related to that city. In western Canada, everyone tells me about Toronto. North of Winnipeg, everyone tells that Winnipeg is the problem. What I'm fundamentally telling you is that there is a perception related to the place where you live.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

When you go to Montreal, do people talk to you about Montreal or the Gaspé Peninsula?

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

They talk about Montreal, but they are very interested in watching news that concerns all of Quebec and Canada.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Let's go back to the events that are the reason why you are here today. The program that was limited to 44 minutes could have reflected Canada better.

[Hubert T. Lacroix]

You're absolutely right, and, once again, I repeat that we could have done a much better job that evening by reflecting the diversity of all artistic performances that we heard at that event.

[Yvon Godin, NDP, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

We'll see what it's like next year.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you very much, Mr. Godin.

Now we'll continue with Mr. Denis Lebel.