Mr. Speaker, last week, Quebec's National Assembly awarded its medal of honour to Bernard Derome, former news anchor for Radio-Canada television. Mr. Derome, who was at the helm of Radio-Canada's Le Téléjournal for nearly 40 years, spoke out against this government, and I quote:
"given how we are—and I'm weighing my words here—dismantling an institution that is recognized for being the watchdog of rigorous news and information, information I call intelligent, for among other reasons, ideological motives."
Mr. Derome continued, “Being informed is being free, as René Lévesque said.” He went on to appeal to civil society to defend and support CBC/Radio-Canada. As one of his colleagues said, Mr. Derome, on the eve of his retirement, made a personal, heartfelt appeal for an organization that he cares so much about and to which he has dedicated 44 years of his life.
On behalf of all my Bloc Québécois colleagues, I would like to commend this great newsman and celebrate his career.