Official Languages committee  It wasn't for financial reasons.

Official Languages committee  Yes. As I said, we are currently considering—

Official Languages committee  In fact, we made a decision based on the nature of our audience, and what will interest them. In that sense, yes, it's true.

Official Languages committee  The chairman of the hall of fame wrote to us to ask that we include Claude Dubois. We did so on the radio, but not on television.

Official Languages committee  I spoke at length with the members of the hall of fame. I talked to Peter Steinmetz on several occasions with regard to what we had done.

Official Languages committee  As I said, we made a decision—

Official Languages committee  I agree and I have no problem with that. When we talk about New Brunswick, we are talking about probably the most bilingual and bicultural region in our country that you can imagine. I can assure you that it is not the same thing in Toronto or even in western Canada, and—

Official Languages committee  That is not the issue. We provide two services: one service in English and one service in French. We're not offering bilingual service. I understand full well that people are perfectly fluent in French and English, in New Brunswick, Quebec and in eastern Ontario, but, unfortunately, the reality of our country is that many people don't understand a word of French.

Official Languages committee  Unfortunately, I don't have the French version with me, but there were two versions of the letter: one was written in French and the other one in English.

Official Languages committee  I will quote from the letter. For the sake of accuracy, it is important to quote exactly what has been written. May I have a minute, please?

Official Languages committee  One moment please. Here is a copy of the letter. I'll just read it back, if you don't mind: On behalf of CBC Television, I would like to express our concern and regret over the reaction to last Monday's broadcast of performances which took place during the Canadian Songwriters' Hall of Fame Gala.

Official Languages committee  As I said, we're thinking about what to do under the circumstances. We have not made up our minds at this point. As I said earlier on, we've come down here to talk about it, to listen to you, to hear your concerns about it. Once we've had a chance to reflect on what everybody has said to us, then we'll figure out what to do.

Official Languages committee  I think it's really important:Certainly, there was no intent to offend any particular artists by excluding them, although we recognize how this perception could exist. For that, we offer our apologies. This is why I come back to it over and over. I don't think any of the members of this committee or the management of the CBC disagree about our profound responsibility to actually do this.

Official Languages committee  I will be happy to do that. I will ask Shaun about them. Do we have a copy of the French version with us here today?

Official Languages committee  Okay.