Evidence of meeting #94 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was advertising.
A recording is available from Parliament.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
Yes, in the whole country. I am referring to those in minority communities. There is one in Yukon. There is just one per province.
That is something else. If L'Eau vive were to disappear, there would be no community newspaper. It is sad to see La Presse or another newspaper disappear, but others take their place.
Conservative
Bernard Généreux Conservative Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC
Do you agree with Ms. Scott's suggestion of having a special fund for that? There is a difference between TV Hebdo and your media.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
Definitely. As to the Canada Periodical Fund, you will agree that a company that makes a lot of money does not need more.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
If you give us more money, we will build the potential, generate more revenue, and be less dependent on federal government funding.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you very much, Ms. Kenny.
We will now go to the last question, from Mr. Vandal.
Liberal
Dan Vandal Liberal Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, MB
Thank you all for your presentations.
A month ago, we heard testimony from Ms. Sophie Gaulin, from La Liberté, a newspaper in Saint-Boniface. She said something that surprised me. When she shifted to digital, created her web page, and hired someone, her weekly became a daily. In response to pressure from comments on Twitter and Facebook, she started producing content daily or every two days.
Have you had the same experience?
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
Definitely. With the equivalent of 1.5 employees, we do not have the resources to do that and also be as quick as Radio Canada, La Liberté or other media outlets.
If we do not inform our readers that one of our artists is going to the Festival international de la chanson de Granby, the risk is that they will read about it in an English-language newspaper. That is a risk for our people.
Liberal
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
Exactly. Radio-Canada is now a competitor for us on this platform.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Thank you, Mr. Vandal.
I want to thank all the witnesses: Ms. Kenny, Ms. Razafimbahiny, Ms. Morin and Ms. Scott, and Mr. Théberge.
Thank you very much, everybody.
All your presentations were excellent and there was some great discussion with committee members.
We will adjourn until Wednesday afternoon.
The committee is adjourned.