Official Languages Committee on May 12th, 2009

[Michel Arpin, Vice-Chairman, Broadcasting, Chairman's Office, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission]

Unfortunately, our figures always concern persons, not households. Statistics Canada's cross-references between BBM and Nielsen Media Research data are always based on population, not households. No one knows exactly how many households that represents. We also don't know where they are. All the statistics and polls tell us is that a certain group of persons doesn't have access to analog TV services.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Rodriguez.

We'll continue with Mr. Nadeau.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Good morning to all of your from the CRTC.

In a March 30 report on the Vancouver Olympic Games, the CRTC said that the two main issues were, and I quote: “The difference between the number of hours of coverage in English and in French and [...] access to French-language coverage.”

With respect to the difference in the number of hours of coverage in English and in French, are you thinking that we're headed toward a situation in which there will be fewer broadcast hours in French, to enable people who speak French in Canada to watch and listen to rebroadcasts of the Olympic Games, than there will be in English for anglophone citizens?

[Konrad W. von Finckenstein]

That's always been the case, even if the programs were broadcast by Radio-Canada or CBC. It is the broadcasters that determine expectations, the popular games in a region, what people want to see.

This time, we're going to have more hours of coverage in French than the last time, at the Turin Olympic Games. The number of broadcast hours by television stations has been determined. The broadcasters broadcast in accordance with market demand.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

All right. This isn't a major issue, contrary to what you said in the March 30 report. Can people who want to watch the Olympic Games in French do so at all times, when they want, regardless of where they live in Canada?

[Konrad W. von Finckenstein]

That depends. If they want to watch them at any time, everything is broadcast on the Internet in both languages.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I'm talking about television.

[Konrad W. von Finckenstein]

All right. On television, it depends. Do those people watch TQS, RDS or RIS in French?

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

They want to watch them in French; they're watching TV. Do they have a way to get them, regardless of where they live in Canada? If I, Richard Nadeau, am somewhere in Canada during the Olympic Games and I turn on the TV, can I watch the Olympic Games in French at any time, with no problem?

[Konrad W. von Finckenstein]

I suggest you put the question to the witnesses who will appear after me and who will be broadcasting the games. It isn't one of my responsibilities to determine what they do.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

All right.

[Konrad W. von Finckenstein]

It's they who can give you the exact figures.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

All right. I'm citing the CRTC document. That's why I asked you the question.

The Commissioner of Official Languages, Mr. Fraser, emphasized that, in his view, there must be equal access to the Olympic Games. That means that an anglophone and a francophone who want to watch the Olympic Games in English or in French must have the same opportunity to watch them. Is that your opinion?

[Konrad W. von Finckenstein]

The Commissioner of Official Languages is describing an ideal situation. I absolutely agree that that would be ideal. However, it should not be forgotten that the broadcasting networks are commercial undertakings.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

We are in Canada. That shows me once again that the French fact is a business issue. There aren't enough people in the region and access to the games isn't guaranteed for someone who is passing through or who lives there.

[Konrad W. von Finckenstein]

I can't accept that. As I previously said, we've authorized the networks to do the broadcasting. They are making arrangements with the International Olympic Committee and are offering what they think the market demands. If you don't agree with their decision, ask them the question.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

I'm going to do that, sir; don't you worry about that.

[Michel Arpin]

I'd like to add an additional piece of information. CTV confirmed for us, when we conducted the study that resulted in the March 30 report, that the original number of broadcasting hours would be the same in both English and in French. There's simply a repeat rate factor as a result of which there will be differences in the total number of broadcasting hours.

[Richard Nadeau, Bloc, Gatineau, QC]

So that will be the case 100% all across Canada, in French?

[Michel Arpin]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Thank you, Mr. Nadeau.

Mr. Godin, go ahead please.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Thanks to the witnesses.

I would like to get a better understanding. Will French-language coverage be 100% available across Canada in French?

[Michel Arpin]

That's correct.

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

And yet it was just said that 7,000 to 12,000 persons won't be served. So that's not 100%.

[Michel Arpin]

We're talking about broadcasting hours. I didn't say they would receive them. There will be as many original broadcast hours in French as in English. That's what the CTV representatives told us.