Canadian Heritage committee  I'm not going to get into too much detail about the investigation, because there are criminal aspects to it and some of our partners might object. This is a relatively new regime, only in force since 2008. It has been a success. We have 11 million telephone numbers and fax numbers registered now.

Canadian Heritage committee  The commission has heard a lot from Canadians about that problem. It's a problem that has been around for years, but in September we adopted a regulation to address loudness in television, and we have a framework to ensure compliance and reporting in this matter. In fact, we're quite proud to have done it ahead of the Americans.

Canadian Heritage committee  We already have a fairly detailed structure. Furthermore, I was already the champion of the communities when I was in the department and elsewhere as well. When I was at the CRTC, we established linkage rules to ensure that the francophone offer was going to be present.

Canadian Heritage committee  It isn't a script; it's a reality. Protection is one of my values. As a francophone, I have already lived in a minority situation. So I know this reality. My family lives in this environment, and I know that they have these kinds of needs.

Canadian Heritage committee  You're absolutely right. One thing I learned when I was travelling on the regional visits and meeting folks is the very difficult nature of our website. It is organized around the way we organize things, around proceedings with numbers, and that's no way to give individual Canadians easy access.

Canadian Heritage committee  We contacted a wireless organization to ask what they're doing. We felt that they weren't grasping the importance of this issue and the priority that it has for us. I don't know if you had the opportunity to read one of the editorials in La Presse this morning, but Ariane Krol, whom I have always respected because she does good research work, has put her finger on our concern.

Canadian Heritage committee  We've asked them to respond by a particular date. We would rather not go down the regulatory route, because I don't think this requires a regulatory answer.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  I believe in the existence of CBC, yes, absolutely. It is a public service, yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  Our mandate is consistent with the legislation. That is not my opinion, it is in the legislation.

Canadian Heritage committee  I have no comments as to what the government thinks or does not think. Our role is to attend to the public interest as defined in the Broadcasting Act, in particular, and the Telecommunications Act. I spoke about the creator, which is important for me, and about citizens. It is not always about consumers.

Canadian Heritage committee  I can confirm that that is not the case. I was given mandate, which is set out by the act.

Canadian Heritage committee  I will repeat what I said in my speech: our role is to enforce the mandate under the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act, which aims to protect Canadians as citizens, consumers and creators. We are assuming this role in all our decisions. There is convergence. The technological reality means that Canadians' choices change.

Canadian Heritage committee  As I said earlier, the Broadcasting Act, as well as the Telecommunications Act, provides for a lot of flexibility. It was drafted very well. In fact, when it was drafted, consideration was given to what would be coming, even though there were no details. We knew that broadband distribution would be a reality.

Canadian Heritage committee  In terms of what is happening with the companies that had passed on those costs to subscribers, the decision required them to submit a report on the reduced rates. I believe the report was due on September 17. We are in the process of studying the reports and doing the necessary follow-up.