Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First of all, I would like to thank you for coming here. My first question deals with community radio.
I am sure that you are already aware of the situation in my riding. I represent one-third of the community radio stations in New Brunswick. I am probably the MP with the largest number of community radios in the entire country. We must focus on the fact that our community radio is really the radio for the community. Indeed, they develop in small markets and—if we are focusing on the francophonie—in areas where francophones are often fewer in number. This is also the only way for a community to have its voice heard. Private radio does not see any advantage in setting up in smaller communities if there is no way to turn a profit.
As for the questions you raised, it is obvious that community radio cannot depend on fundraising to guarantee its survival forever. As you mentioned earlier, volunteers are always being asked to do fundraising in order to cover operating costs and perhaps raise the money required in order to modernize infrastructure. When I talk about infrastructure, I am not just referring to buildings, but to the equipment as well.
You talked about the Community Radio Fund of Canada, but would it be accurate to say that the volunteers are going to wind up burning out and that the voice of certain communities may disappear because of the financial problems of these radio stations?