Canadian Heritage committee  The mandate that I know I have is not a mandate that was given to me; it's the mandate that comes directly from the act, and it's very clear: the job I am taking on is a job where the public broadcaster informs, enlightens, and entertains Canadians, and to do that will put together compelling programming—and the act is very clear again—and will use all of its resources to make sure it's available to the greatest number of Canadians.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely not.

Canadian Heritage committee  A private broadcaster has luxuries that CBC/Radio-Canada doesn't have. It has—and I alluded to that a few seconds ago—a balance sheet that it can do some things with. It can take risks that are far more encompassing. It's like in a venture company where out of 10 investments you will have two investments that will bear fruit.

Canadian Heritage committee  I of course intend to withdraw from my present duties. I put a lot of effort into that in the days after my appointment was announced. I will continue to sit on two boards that do not conflict in any way with the business of CBC/Radio-Canada. I will devote myself body and soul to your public broadcaster.

Canadian Heritage committee  One is that of Fonds SFL Pâte, a business that produces pulp, and the other is a Kanata company, Zarlink Semiconductor.

Canadian Heritage committee  Madam, I don't yet know the details of the process used for making these requests. As you know, I won't be starting until January 2. I very much believe in transparency, and I'm going to ensure that the process put in place guarantees that those requests receive all the attention they deserve.

Canadian Heritage committee  I'm going to listen to the advice of the management team to see the best way to answer those questions in the most transparent and quickest way possible.

Canadian Heritage committee  I wouldn't have accepted the offer to work at Radio-Canada if I was not convinced of that. I think that CBC/Radio-Canada plays a very important role. If we dilute the public broadcaster in any way or break it up by withdrawing opportunities for action, we would strike at the very substance of Canada's culture.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely. That's part of the mandate conferred on us under the act. We need strong Canadian content. There's no doubt about that.

Canadian Heritage committee  I'll be starting on January 2, Mr. Bélanger. I can't wait to sit down with the management team and to see what tools are in place. I am anxious to see the strategies it has developed. I'll be much more in a position to answer your question when I reappear before the committee.

Canadian Heritage committee  Absolutely not. I'm very much aware of the mandate review you are conducting. I am also familiar with the presentations that have been made to you. Obviously, I'll be coming back to see you often to talk to you about our projects. I hope you will support them so that all funding resources are put at the Corporation's disposal and that they enable it to continue playing its role.

Canadian Heritage committee  It's not the mandate I have right now. The mandate I have is clearly to continue doing what the act says we should be doing: compelling programing, making sure we connect Canadians together. That is where I'm going to start analyzing this company.

Canadian Heritage committee  As you know, I will take up my position on January 2, but I can tell you about the main threats that I see right now. First, CBC/Radio-Canada's business environment has changed a great deal. There is significant consolidation in the financial markets, and the people and companies with which the corporation does business, works and competes have financial assets and can use their lines of credit, their balance sheets, to do things that it can't do.

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, members of the committee, good morning and thank you for the opportunity to meet with you today to talk about my appointment as President and CEO to CBC/Radio-Canada. In less than a month, I will begin what I think is one of the most fascinating jobs in Canada—leading one our country's largest cultural institutions.