Evidence of meeting #75 for Official Languages in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was anand.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
You apologized for contracting out the translation of a podcast to a French firm in order to avoid the Quebec accent.
Do you know who made that decision? What measures have been taken?
President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada
Yes, absolutely.
They're aware and and have understood their mistake. They understand that it's important to stick to our processes and practices.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
When we watch the CBC, we often get the impression that you're only presenting the point of view of anglophone pressure groups regarding Bill 21 or Bill 96, for example.
Do you think you should also present the point of view of groups and organizations that defend French? Do you sense that you should present objective information?
President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada
As I said earlier, we abide by journalistic standards and practices, and the fundamental principles of those standards and practices are impartiality, accuracy—
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Joël Godin
I apologize for interrupting, Ms. Tait. I would ask those present in the room to be silent.
Conservative
Conservative
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
A point of order, Mr. Chair.
It seems to me that the question is based on an interpretation of something that wasn't said and isn't really—
Liberal
Darrell Samson Liberal Sackville—Preston—Chezzetcook, NS
I think Mr. Beaulieu is interpreting and incorporating that in his question, which doesn't really concern the topic of discussion.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative Joël Godin
I would ask Mr. Beaulieu to ensure that his question relates to the topic.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
We're talking about an example in which disrespect was shown for the Quebec accent. These groups quite frequently convey anti-Quebec messages. I can cite, for example, the attack on Pauline Marois, which occurred a long time ago. There was a lot of comment on that.
Here's a specific example. In the context of the death of George Floyd in the United States, columnist Robyn Urback stated that there was less racism against Blacks in Canada but that it should nevertheless be opposed. She said that was enshrined in Quebec's Bill 21, which was essentially an anti-Muslim statute. She then added that there was a long history of racism against Blacks in Quebec, particularly in Montreal, and that xenophobia was deeply rooted in the history of Quebec.
I'm not saying there's no racism in Quebec, but I don't think there's any more than elsewhere. I think it's really biased when journalists report information like this.
President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada
I'd like to respond by saying that, if a member of this committee or a member of the public has a problem or wants to comment on that bias or on our journalistic content, our ombudsman can respond to that.
I absolutely want the members of this committee to understand that neither CBC/Radio-Canada management nor the government handles journalism-related questions. It's especially not politicians. We have an independent system for protecting the impartiality, accuracy, balance, fairness and integrity of CBC/Radio-Canada's journalism.
The ombudsman, Pierre Champoux is there to answer questions.
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
You answered my question. You recommended that I contact the ombudsman. That's great; there are mechanisms in place.
I think there was an obvious bias in the example I cited. If you can't see that—
President and Chief Executive Officer, CBC/Radio-Canada
Mr. Chair, journalism always has a context.
You have to consider the context of a whole series of articles in order to understand the issue. You have to refer a case like the one Mr. Beaulieu cited to our ombudsman.
Bloc
Mario Beaulieu Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
For example, take the last leaders' debate, which people have talked a lot about.
The moderator bluntly asked Yves-François Blanchet how he could defend Bill 21. She referred to racist measures and Bill 96. Those questions had been approved by all members of the media establishment, including the CBC—
Liberal
Conservative
Liberal
Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON
I just want to say two things.
First, how much time does Mr. Beaulieu have left? Did you stop the clock?
Liberal
Marc Serré Liberal Nickel Belt, ON
Second, I think we've gone a bit far, Mr. Beaulieu. I think that—
