Official Languages Committee on Nov. 27th, 2025

[Jim Belanger, Conservative, Sudbury East—Manitoulin—Nickel Belt, ON]

Thank you very much.

[Jean-François Leclerc]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you.

Ms. Chenette, you have the floor for three minutes.

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Mr. Chair, may I have the remaining 30 seconds? It’s up to you, obviously.

Mr. Leclerc, thank you for being with us. It’s really very interesting.

You’re assuming that if a quota for French‑language music is imposed on platforms, it will bring people back to radio. I have doubts about that because, in the end, it’s radio consumption habits that have evolved.

I would expect today to have questions about what we should do about Tesla and the regulatory project that aims to eliminate radios in cars. It’s a place where people listen to the radio a lot.

You say there are changes in the environment. That’s exactly why the Government of Canada made the historic decision in the budget to invest $770 million in culture. It’s to reinforce the importance of culture and, of course, francophone culture.

There are 321 million francophones in the world. So there’s a market. K‑pop has truly revolutionized the world through its leadership.

We can turn the question around by asking how we can strengthen this francophone culture given that, in the current environment, French culture is in demand in the world. There is a “de‑Americanization,” if I can use that term, because American popularity is on the decline. What can we do to seize the opportunity?

I also want to talk about the community aspect, which is also part of the new environment. We’ve lost the sense of community because everyone is isolated on their little device. In that context, shouldn’t the mandate of radio evolve? Radio could be seen as a community tool. It could also benefit from everything happening in the cultural sphere. In our Quebec reality, francophone culture is important.

Let’s project ourselves. Instead of fighting against a reduction to a quota, how can we seize the opportunities that arise to enhance culture?

In that context, what could you ask from the government that is different?

[Jean-François Leclerc]

I think we have no choice but to be in front of you today to tell you that we need to be more in tune with the needs and preferences of listeners.

Your premise was that listeners who are on online platforms will not return to radio. I’m telling you that our wish today is to stop the bleeding. By changing the quota for French vocal music, the people who are still listening to radio today will remain with radio. Furthermore, we won’t lose any more listening hours. That’s what we’re asking you for.

I agree with you that people who are lost are likely to be lost for a long time. What happens is that, if we don’t make a brave decision today, we will continue to lose others, and that’s what we need to avoid. Traditional radio must remain a common thread for our culture. If we no longer have listeners or listening hours, we won’t be able to fulfill our role and carry out our mission.

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

I agree with you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

You have 15 seconds left.

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

I agree with you that we need to rekindle people’s interest in returning to radio.

What are the consumption habits?

What do you think makes people listen to radio today?

[Jean-François Leclerc]

There are all sorts of reasons.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Please give a brief answer, thank you.

[Jean-François Leclerc]

It’s true that music is one of them, but there’s also the local connection. We talk about our stories; we talk about us. It’s certain that broadcasters who continue to have a local presence will succeed better in the future.

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you, Ms. Chenette.

This concludes the first hour of our meeting today.

Mr. Leclerc, on behalf of the committee, I thank you for being here with us.

Colleagues, I will suspend the meeting for a few minutes so the next witnesses can settle in.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

We are resuming the meeting.

Before welcoming the witnesses, I would like to say that the interpreters sometimes had difficulty interpreting our remarks because two or three people were speaking at the same time. It was probably earlier in the meeting. I really enjoy it when we have informal discussions. However, to protect the health of the interpreters and to preserve our work, I suggest you raise your hand if you want to speak. Please wait for me to call on you before speaking so only one person speaks at a time.

Does that work for everyone?

[Some hon. members]

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

All right. Thank you very much.

I would now like to welcome the witnesses for the second hour.

We welcome representatives from the Association québécoise de l’industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo, ADISQ. They are Simon Claus, director, public affairs, and Eve Paré, executive director.

You have five minutes for your opening statement. We will then proceed to a question-and-answer period with the committee members.

You have the floor for five minutes.

[Eve Paré, Chief Executive Director, Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Members, I thank the Standing Committee on Official Languages for giving the floor—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Ms. Paré, I’m going to ask you to stop for a minute. There’s a problem with the sound volume here. I’m going to ask you to wait a minute so we can sort this out.

Can you say a few words so we can test the sound?

[Eve Paré]

Yes, Mr. Chair.

I wanted to thank you for giving us this opportunity to speak.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Excellent. That works.

I had stopped the timer. You have five minutes, Ms. Paré.

You have the floor.

[Eve Paré]

Perfect. Thank you.

My name is Eve Paré. I’m the executive director of ADISQ. I’m accompanied by Simon Claus, director of public affairs. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend today’s session due to other commitments. Please excuse us. Don’t see that as a lack of interest.

Our association represents over 200 companies working in the music sector. Its mission is to equip them, support them and ensure that the environment in which they operate fosters their growth. Maintaining a competitive music industry means ensuring the visibility of our music and performances here and beyond our borders.

I would like to start my remarks with a quote from Billie du Page, a 21‑year‑old artist who has just won the Félix Award for Revelation of the Year at the latest ADISQ gala. Last summer, she was asked about her song reaching number one on the radio charts in Quebec. She said—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Ms. Paré, I’m sorry to interrupt you again. There’s still a problem with the sound. I stopped the clock for you, but I would ask you to wait a minute.

Could you say a few words, Ms. Paré, so we can test the sound one more time?

[Eve Paré]

I was talking to you about Billie du Page, who won the Félix Award for Revelation of the Year at the last ADISQ Gala.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Thank you.

I will suspend the meeting briefly.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Ms. Paré, I’m sorry that there are technical issues.

The committee members unanimously agreed to use their headphones to listen to you.

Please continue your presentation. You have four minutes left.