Mr. Speaker, the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage is now hearing from numerous witnesses as it reviews the Broadcasting Act. One of their primary concerns is the concept of local broadcasting and production. Witnesses want radio and television programs which they can relate to and which inform them about their community. The local concept implies not just broadcasting, but production in particular.
Yesterday, on returning to work at the Radio-Canada offices in Quebec City, the staff of Au coeur du monde were stunned to learn that their program was being cancelled and would be replaced by a program from Toronto.
Every summer, a show was produced and broadcast network-wide from Quebec City. Last year, this show was called Le temps d'Épicure and was hosted by Catherine Lachaussée. For now, it appears that no new show will be produced in Quebec City for the upcoming season.
Only two programs produced in Quebec City will remain on the Radio-Canada network, compared to four last year. This shows just how little importance is attached to the local concept by Radio-Canada management.