Canadian Heritage committee  They get a substantial amount of funding from government agencies, be it state governments or the federal government in the United States.

Canadian Heritage committee  I believe it is more than we proportionally get here in Canada, but I'd like to get that answer for you and come back. When we watch the shows where they do their funding on TV, there's the effort and the cost, and the net they get back is very small relative to the amount of money they take in.

Canadian Heritage committee  Do I have the strategies? No, but I believe our senior management are working on them right now. In my trip to Vancouver at the beginning of May and my trip to Montreal last week, having seen what is going on in Vancouver with CBC Radio 3, where it's run, and in Montreal, where Bande à part is run....

Canadian Heritage committee  You've probably posed the most profound question that CBC wrestles with on how to find that balance. There are so many components to what I call this jigsaw puzzle that makes up CBC and its financing. When you uncouple one, a case in point being Hockey Night in Canada, to see what it means to the commercial revenues of CBC and the implications for the rest of the organization, it's a fundamental issue that can't be looked at in isolation.

Canadian Heritage committee  I haven't yet met the Montreal journalists. However, last Wednesday, I met the senior management in Montreal. It's impossible for me to give you my opinion at this time. I met Patrice Roy—

Canadian Heritage committee  I accept your opinion, but, for us, this is a Canadian identity issue. We have to represent Canadians from all regions. I met a lot of Francophones in Vancouver. And they love Radio-Canada and the services it provides them.

Canadian Heritage committee  You are right; that's fundamental. The CBC/Radio-Canada people are currently investing time and effort to improve local resources in order to enhance what is offered to and the connection with the regions.

Canadian Heritage committee  I concur.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, I did.

Canadian Heritage committee  No, I have not.

Canadian Heritage committee  I shall.

Canadian Heritage committee  The point is well taken.

Canadian Heritage committee  I've reviewed documents by Mr. Rabinovitch before the committee. I was listening to the interview of the Auditor General from last week. I've reviewed the documents of Mr. Fournier's appointment. Most of my focus has been on information being provided to me by the senior management and the board at this point in time.

Canadian Heritage committee  I don't know them.

Canadian Heritage committee  Well, I go back to what I said at the outset. “The BBC”--but let me substitute CBC--“fosters a rambunctious, vigorous and informed democracy”. If we can make CBC come alive in that way, then we will have accomplished what the mandate of CBC is. To incorporate it into our mandate or mission statement at this point in time really is a question that the board and senior management have to take under advisement.