Canadian Heritage committee  There is no question. My colleague here, who's in charge of broadcasting, can probably give you some instances in which they would be useful.

Canadian Heritage committee  In any of the cases in which we give a very short, limited licence renewal--let's say for two or three years--it would be much more preferable to have an administrative penalty and say, “Look, you went too far. First correct yourself, then pay up, and don't do it again”, rather than basically giving it to them and hoping that over the next two years a shorter term will incent them to be more law-abiding.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  It starts, first of all, with the definition. We are in charge of broadcasting, and by broadcasting I'm talking about professionally produced content. I'm not talking about user-generated content, which is YouTube, etc. I couldn't care less; do what you want. It's not broadcasting.

Canadian Heritage committee  We will finish the hearings on new media before we deal with the CBC licence. When we will have rendered a decision on that, I can't tell you right now. That depends very much on other things. Secondly, will have hearings on the CBC renewal definitely. I'm a strong believer in public hearings.

Canadian Heritage committee  No. As I mentioned in answer to a question from your peer from the NDP, we have a case before the CRTC that deals with that.

Canadian Heritage committee  How you define that neutrality is a big issue. Different people use the word to mean quite different things. Second, a comprehensive approach to it we have never enunciated, nor has anybody else, other that of.... The Internet providers, as common carriers, should treat their Internet clients without discrimination and should not have any say over the content they are carrying.

Canadian Heritage committee  They asked for interim relief. After the interim relief ruling, the hearing on the substance will be at the end of the summer.

Canadian Heritage committee  It could very well be. Mr. Abbott asked me about technological constraints and so on. And while that's your prognosis, I think most people suggest that it may go that way but will take quite a bit of time, because right now there are severe technological constraints for that to happen.

Canadian Heritage committee  Obviously we can't make people watch things. All we can make sure is that there is an offering that reflects Canada in all its richness, in all its diversity. People will decide what they watch. If in the world that you picture, with a superabundance of content from various places, and people don't want to watch it, then no matter what we do, they won't.

Canadian Heritage committee  Well, that's part of our job. It's partially through the regulations we have, maybe partially through incentives too--

Canadian Heritage committee  For instance, you mentioned streaming. Not all radio stations in Canada stream right now. Why? That is because there is a big question of what is a copyright tariff that you have to pay. It's outstanding. It's before the copyright board, etc. It may be very substantial and it may be an inhibition to streaming.

Canadian Heritage committee  This is the opinion of two of the most neutral experts to be found.

Canadian Heritage committee  I think that it contains some excellent ideas, some of which I do not share. We held hearings, consultations. In fact there was a major three-week consultation on the [Editor’s Note: Inaudible]. We are now in the process of making our decision. You will see which ideas were kept and which ones were rejected.

Canadian Heritage committee  Let's assume your prognosis is right, that happens. That still begs two questions. Number one, your mindset is control, but that's not mine. Mine is what does it mean? How can we take advantage? How can we use it to further the objective of the Broadcasting Act? Now, assume it's going the way you are doing it.