Official Languages Committee on Feb. 7th, 2011

[Régis St-Pierre]

The AFY signed the documents with the CRTC regarding Radio-Canada in Yukon.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Do you control the programming?

[Régis St-Pierre]

We control nothing. That's why Radio-Canada is being renewed this year. We're at a crossroads and we're wondering what will happen. It's taken 12 years to gain access to the airwaves. It was bought by the community through a subsidy from the Department of the Secretary of State. So there was no investment by Radio-Canada. Our one hour of radio a week is currently done by volunteers, French-speaking Yukoners who receive no compensation.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

You're saying you've had access to Radio-Canada television in French for 12 years.

[Régis St-Pierre]

We've been able to listen to Radio-Canada radio since 1992. Since then we've been able to receive the Montreal station.

So that you have a clear understanding, the official rebroadcaster of Radio-Canada radio in Yukon is currently the AFY.

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

That's the Association franco-yukonnaise.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Is it a noon program like Maisonneuve en direct?

[Régis St-Pierre]

That's correct. From CBUF-FM in Vancouver.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

It's CBUF-FM in Vancouver. Excellent; that's what you said in your address.

Thank you very much.

We'll continue with Ms. Guay.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Nadon, first I'd like to ask you whether it's possible to get a copy of your notes because you mention some things that are very important for us.

[Roch Nadon]

Absolutely; I'll make a copy of them.

[The Chair, Conservative, Steven Blaney]

Yes, we're going to make sure you get a copy of them. We normally have a copy in both official languages.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

I didn't get a copy. So I'd like to have one. We're going to write a report after our meetings in Yukon and in Yellowknife, and I believe that's important.

You talked about Radio-Canada radio and you said you had the same programs as in Quebec. So we're not necessarily talking about what is going on in Yukon or about what is happening here in your region.

[Régis St-Pierre]

Yes and no. We're in the same time zone as Vancouver. Because of certain Radio-Canada responsibilities, we have certain services in Yukon. We've filed a number of complaints with the Commissioner of Official Languages, and that will continue.

It must be understood that, in the CBC's structure, if I'm an anglophone, I don't have any problems because I'm served by CBC North. The same structure provides for budgets. Now, in Radio-Canada's structure, the north does not exist. When Radio-Canada conducts its consultations in the regional communities, no one from the north is invited because Radio-Canada Nord does not exist. In the very structure of Radio-Canada, the north does not exist. We don't exist. We live in the north; therefore we don't exist. No budget is allocated to us.

For example, they usually come and see us to celebrate our 25th anniversary. They send a film crew. They recently came to celebrate the Gala de la Francophonie. However, the people responsible for covering our events in the field have to work very hard. We have one journalist here, but the work is done at CBC North's facilities. What kind of budget do these people get? There's no budget. Radio-Canada Nord doesn't exist. It's an anomaly.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

That's why it's a community station. You have one hour a week. You'd better not miss it, as I said earlier. Since it's a community station, it's volunteers who work there.

[Roch Nadon]

Yes, as Régis mentioned, volunteers have hosted and produced the program for 25 years. The technical work is done by francophones, who are paid, because of—

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

All right.

I want to talk about arts and culture because that concerns not only Yukon, but all of Canada's as well. Cutbacks are being made everywhere in the field, both in Quebec and elsewhere. Our artists on both the anglophone and francophone sides are very frustrated. They've made submissions to the federal government.

I would like to know whether you have budgets for this purpose and whether you've made any requests.

[Roch Nadon]

With regard to budgets, the association gets some money under the contribution agreements with the federal government. Part of that amount is intended for the cultural sector.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Is it a large amount?

[Roch Nadon]

We receive about $75,000 a year. We also receive funding from our government and other departments. As I said in my presentation, it's distinctly inadequate. The French-speaking community in Yukon is a young community that really needs artists and crafts people to ensure its survival and the survival of its language. They are culture purveyors for our young people and for cultural identity. We also need infrastructure. We don't have a cultural centre. We have an excellent community centre, but now it's too small. And we're currently witnessing the emergence of certain artists.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Does the government here want there to be a cultural centre? Have you asked the federal government for assistance?

[Roch Nadon]

Our community will be celebrating its 30th anniversary next year. We have to go step by step. I get the impression it's time to establish a francophone cultural centre in Whitehorse, both for our community and for the Yukon community as a whole. I think that's the next cultural area we should establish.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

In order to host francophone artists—

[Régis St-Pierre]

That's correct.

[Monique Guay, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

—artistic events and so on.