Thank you.
Billie du Page said: “Honestly, I cried tears of joy because it was a feeling of accomplishment, of satisfaction. I never thought I would get there…just being on the charts was amazing, but when I reached number one, I couldn’t believe it.”
That quote is not anecdotal. It illustrates the importance of radio in our society. In a world where attention is scattered and algorithms increasingly shape our discoveries, these cultural landmarks become essential.
Radio acts as a seal of recognition, generates direct economic benefits and remains a marker of professionalism in a business model weakened by declining traditional revenues. That’s why quotas for French vocal music have not lost their relevance. It’s not just a regulatory mechanism. It’s about the very presence of French in public spaces, the space we want to give to our music and our artists, the vitality of our culture and our collective responsibility toward future generations.
Radio remains a staple. Its scope remains immense. According to Numeris, it reaches 84% of Canadians each week. Furthermore, according to our own surveys, it remains the primary source of music discovery for 60% of Quebeckers.
For over 50 years, the framework established by the CRTC has created a true virtuous circle. The increase in the broadcasting of French-language music has contributed to growing interest in our music, which has stimulated supply and investment, ensuring high‑quality music production that, in turn, has fuelled radio programming.
During prime time, French‑language commercial radio stations must dedicate 55% of their musical programming to French vocal music. During a week of broadcasting, they must dedicate 65% of their musical programming to it. These obligations exist precisely because French is in a minority situation in North America. They’ve shaped listening habits that still persist today.
We don’t deny the difficulties that radio stations are experiencing. These difficulties are very real, but they primarily stem from structural factors: audience fragmentation, unfair competition from platforms and revenue loss related to digital transformations.
Nothing in the data links these difficulties to quotas. A system that has existed for over half a century without causing listener loss would not suddenly become the main source of challenges for radio stations.
Reducing the quotas would simultaneously weaken the presence of our language, the real diversity of our offerings and the essential visibility of our artists and our music, but it would not help regain the audience. The true way forward is to subject digital platforms to the obligations of the Broadcasting Act in order to restore fairness among players without lowering standards.
Songs convey who we are. They unite and create a common space, even in a fragmented world. Every time a French song finds its place on the radio, it’s a bit of our language, our imagination and our collective memory that continues to live on. Protecting that place is not about defending an industry; it’s about defending a cultural heritage, an identity marker and the trust we place in our own voices.
Songs recount what we are. They unite. By valuing our francophone songs, we bring to life the richness and diversity of French in a unique cultural context. Far from being a deterrent, they’re a landmark, an anchor point. Let’s give them the space and resources they deserve on the airwaves and on platforms. ADISQ offers you its full collaboration to ensure that francophone music continues to resonate strongly and sustainably across the country.
Thank you for your attention. We are ready to answer your questions.
