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.
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
You might not get an answer.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
How was your situation in Saskatchewan before 2013?
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
It was better in Saskatchewan. We are talking about $50,000 a year.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
I wasn't there in 2013. I was here. But I can tell you that we had four or five employees at certain times. I am very honest and transparent when I tell you that, at L'Eau vive, we faced management challenges at one time. I think it was before 2013. However, since 2013, we are talking about $50,000 in lost revenue. I would like to add that there has also been a decrease on the part of the provincial government, which has also turned toward the Internet, the number of clicks, and so on. However, it has no obligations under the legislation.
I spoke earlier with Minister Joly and the President of the Treasury Board. I would like to point out that the Official Languages Act is not the concern of just two ministers, but the government as a whole.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Absolutely. We understand this.
Having said that, could you explain to me why you are the one the minister's office called?
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
Probably because I'm the president of a newspaper. I don't know.
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
I was the president of the Fédération des communautés francophones et acadienne for six years. I have appeared before this committee previously. Maybe that's why. I don't know.
March 19th, 2018 / 5:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Right. As for radio, we are hearing from a lot of witnesses. As you say, $400 million is good, but what will happen?
Fifty million dollars is also good, but what path will it follow, and how will it be traced?
For community radio, I am familiar with the organizations in question because I, myself, am part of that community. There is the ARC du Canada and the ARCANB in New Brunswick.
Is there a national alliance for the small French-language newspapers?
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
There is the Association de la presse francophone. My fear is that if another organization is chosen, rather than one of ours, we are going to have to do business with an organization that is not familiar with us and our reality, which will be very difficult for us. And we're talking about $50 million over five years for all regional media. That means that the Regina Leader-Post will also receive money.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
Exactly. So where do we stand? What is this going to look like in reality?
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
However, if we, in the government, want to make sure that the money is truly used to do what needs to be done in minority communities, in Quebec or in Saskatchewan, for example, where should we turn?
There are many small community newspapers and radio stations. What should be done to make these people heard and to find out where and how the money is to be distributed?
I'll repeat my question: is there a national organization that represents you?
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
Yes, the Association de la presse francophone represents all French-language media and newspapers.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
In English Quebec, how does it work? How many local papers would there be in all the province?
5:10 p.m.
Editor, Low Down to Hull & Back News
In the whole province? Are we talking about minority anglophone papers?
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Is there a provincial organization that represents each and every one of them?
5:10 p.m.
Editor, Low Down to Hull & Back News
Almost everybody is a member. You were speaking about it earlier. It's the Quebec Community Newspapers Association, which has also had its fair share of challenges over the past few years because of the digital movement. It is still in existence and the papers are still in there. One reason is, as I mentioned in my notes, people rely on local newspapers. It's the only place they're going to hear about shows by local artists, for example.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
You don't have to convince me of that. I know exactly what you're talking about.
5:10 p.m.
President, Coopérative des publications fransaskoises
I would like to add that, for the entire file, our three organizations, the AJRQ, the ARC du Canada and the APF, have joined forces.
5:10 p.m.
Liberal