Mr. Speaker, I am happy to have the opportunity to speak about the Canada new media fund, a great fund that supports Canadian production and creation, a fund worth over $300 million, jointly contributed to by broadcast distribution undertakings, BDUs, cable and satellite providers in this country and the Government of Canada. It is worth about $180 million from the BDUs, and about $126 million from the Government of Canada. It is a very important fund.
I am happy to say that educational broadcasters, like Télé-Quebec, will continue to benefit from the Canada media fund. The Canada new media fund will support all kinds of programming that Canadians from all walks of life are looking for, including educational programming, produced with the financial participation of Télé-Québec.
The renewal of the government's contribution and the creation of the Canada new media fund set the stage for Canadian content in the digital age.
The member is quite right in some respects. This government does believe, as did previous governments, as there were similar requirements in any former Canadian television fund, that quality, diverse content and audience success go hand in hand. That is why the government believes in Canadian content and in the talents of those who create it. We believe that we should reward audience success.
Over the last five years programs broadcast by Télé-Québec have benefited from $34.8 million from the Canada television fund including a $7.7 million envelope this year. Support for Télé-Quebec will continue under the Canada new media fund.