Canadian Heritage committee  First, thank you for the question. It is so broad that if you don't mind, I'll give a very short answer and then ask Jennifer, who is responsible for radio, and Richard, because you've hit on a few points that are extremely important. Firstly, I don't see new technology as an obstacle.

Canadian Heritage committee  If I may add one more thing for completeness, for the last four years the Department of Heritage has given us $2 million a year to digitalize our backlog of programs. We have done that, and we are continuing to do it. From that point of view, we are moving bit by bit on the process, but it's very much because of the special program run by the Department of Heritage.

Canadian Heritage committee  It's not normal that they would discuss this with me. There are times when they may ask me what I think of X or Y. But they have not asked me, nor is it the normal process for them to ask me to suggest names and discuss people with them.

Canadian Heritage committee  We don't have the resources to move that quickly. It would take us, I would believe, by my last numbers, about ten years to be able to move as far as we think is appropriate at present. We have moved very quickly in certain places. For example, on the French television production side, we've moved very well, but not on the new side of French television.

Canadian Heritage committee  Here's another much more significant example. We've reached an agreement with a major Vancouver promoter. We sold him our air rights and our parking lot for $40 million. That money is enabling us to rebuild and digitize the Vancouver production centre. That was possible as a result of better management of our assets.

Canadian Heritage committee  I said that better management of our assets had enabled us to save $75 million a year. For example, we lease a floor of our building in Toronto, the Broadcasting Centre, which represents $5 million. We reached an agreement with a neighbouring owner concerning the development of two large buildings, which gives us another $5 million a year.

Canadian Heritage committee  I'm the chief pooh-bah, yes.

Canadian Heritage committee  This is beyond my mandate, sir. This is an issue for the government. These appointments are made by the government, and we await their decision as to when and who and how they wish to proceed.

Canadian Heritage committee  My feeling, very clearly, is that it's ours to do together. There is a role for the private sector. There's a role for the public broadcaster. Very much, there is a role for Parliament, for committees such as this, to define the priorities we should be going to. As I mentioned in my talk, and perhaps Richard can go into some detail about what we are doing now in terms of regional, I think there's reason for confidence that we can do this very well.

Canadian Heritage committee  I'll start, then I'll give the others an opportunity to respond. We are in excellent shape given the resources at our disposal. There are no doubt other things that we can do and that we want to do, such as increase regional programming in English and French, and take more risks in developing new programs, both in English and in French.

Canadian Heritage committee  Mr. Scott, what I believe we would have to do is have a dialogue with the community at large, and in particular through Parliament, to define what the priorities for the public broadcaster should be. One of those priorities would be, and has to be, regional extension and explanation services.

Canadian Heritage committee  Mr. Chair, members of the committee, thank you very much for inviting us. We welcome all efforts to clarify the role of public broadcasting. With me today is Sylvain Lafrance, executive vice-president, French services; Richard Stursberg, executive vice-president of CBC television; and Jennifer McGuire, acting vice-president of CBC radio.

Canadian Heritage committee  Heavy-handed government—

Canadian Heritage committee  I don't disagree with less regulation being better, as a philosophy. I think there have been a lot of moves in that direction. This was not a deal that was regulated. The regulations were post facto. This was a deal that was arrived at by the industry, in discussion with the regulator, and offered up by the industry in order to get a particular benefit for themselves and also to recognize the fact that they are part of the broadcasting system.

Canadian Heritage committee  If I may say something as well, sir, before we leave. I don't know if we drew your attention to the document we tabled on CTF productions and how well they've done. I think it's worth looking at this. This has been a success internationally in terms of the kudos, the awards, and the quality of programs.