Evidence of meeting #20 for Official Languages in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was broadcast.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:40 a.m.
President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc.
I think VANOC may be a little bit in arrears, because we have made a push.
10:40 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
So much the better if that's true. All I want is for people to be satisfied and for us not to look silly around the world because we aren't able to broadcast the games in both official languages in our own country, whereas China and other countries are doing that.
I'm asking you a big question, and I'm not sure you have the answer. Would it be possible to renegotiate with Radio-Canada to convince it to broadcast the games where you can't do it so that everyone can take advantage? It would derive some satisfaction from that. This isn't just a matter of broadcasting and money for you; there is a related social responsibility. Moreover, article 24 of the Olympic Charter states that the games must be completely bilingual.
10:40 a.m.
President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc.
I have two comments there. First of all, we had to meet a certain threshold in order to win the bid, which we did.
10:40 a.m.
President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc.
I just want to make sure that is on the record.
Secondly, I think with what I've said today, we've opened the door for the potential of another discussion. We think we've moved a long way from our original position, and we think what we are proposing is quite fair.
10:40 a.m.
President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc.
No. We haven't spoken with them yet. You're hearing it before they are.
10:40 a.m.
Bloc
Monique Guay Bloc Rivière-du-Nord, QC
All right. We'll know the results of that offer soon. Thank you.
10:40 a.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Welcome to all the witnesses.
Today is Mr. Godin's birthday, and I want to wish him a happy birthday.
10:45 a.m.
NDP
10:45 a.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
And he's having a party!
I just want to touch upon some of the things you've commented on today regarding your scoop. First of all, when my colleagues are talking about Radio-Canada, on the one hand, they're asking what's in it for them, and on the other hand, they're asking why we don't force them to broadcast. So there are two sides to this very complex issue.
When you respond to them by saying that what they get is actually to have people listening to them during the games, I have to agree with you. I have to agree that they do get coverage. This proposal, this scoop you've offered, not only gives them people who are listening to their broadcast, but they also get to listen to their own commentators, their own sports analysts, etc.
So I think this proposal you've offered today is generous. I think it opens the door. I congratulate all of you for allowing us to hear it today. I look forward to hearing how your discussions go after this.
But I want to know how much it's going to cost them now to produce what you would have already produced and given to them for free. What is it going to cost taxpayers? What is it going to cost the CBC?
10:45 a.m.
President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc.
That I can't estimate at this point in time. This is new. It's something that will have to be determined. But it won't be as efficient as what we first put on the table; there will be a cost.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
The reason I ask is that we all want a very strong Canadian broadcaster. All of us have been fighting for that; every single party is fighting for that. But we are in an economic crisis, and that is why I ask the question, because they are trying desperately to hold onto jobs, and whatnot, and it seems to me that's part of the discussion.
Do we really want to put out these millions of dollars when we're trying to hold onto jobs, when we are being offered, very graciously, this programming for free, which would bring more people to their channels during this very important—
10:45 a.m.
President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc.
And that, once again, is why our original proposal is still the most efficient proposal.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
Shelly Glover Conservative Saint Boniface, MB
Right, and going back to the original proposal, I want to know how much it is costing you to make them whole, because that's what they're getting. That is what CBC is getting. They're being made whole.
10:45 a.m.
President, Revenue, Business Planning and Sports, CTV Inc.
We didn't get that far, because they passed on it out of hand. So we would have to sit down with them and determine the value of that.
10:45 a.m.
Conservative
