Canadian Heritage committee  Television stations were primarily in local markets and we haven't had the actual closure of that many local television stations, but they have certainly through the years been rationalizing their offers. The CRTC has been trying to address that for a number of years and we made

Canadian Heritage committee  Our research, certainly for the Harnessing Change report, and even for our previous seminal work on Let's Talk TV, shows that one of the most important things for Canadians is that local news and information.

Canadian Heritage committee  When we do research and we do polling, they seem to value that news. I was looking at my feeds on the floods this morning, and they are from the traditional news platforms, which are being redistributed on Facebook or on other social media platforms. They do continue to contribut

Canadian Heritage committee  Well, the local news and information right now are certainly under duress. I don't think viewership has dropped that much. It's down slightly. But contrary to your assertion, our viewership—

Canadian Heritage committee  If we compare the recent.... Certainly you also have to realize that now versus 30 years ago, there are more products in the broadcasting system.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, it is.

Canadian Heritage committee  That includes all Canadians in all demographics, but it's primarily younger Canadians who are—

Canadian Heritage committee  Thirty-five and under is what we have in our opening remarks. It's where you see a greater proportion—and, quite frankly, if you're looking at 20 and under, they're not even sure what a cable company is at this point in time.

Canadian Heritage committee  I think we're speaking of profitability with respect to cable companies or distribution under these things—

Canadian Heritage committee  —that don't receive any federal funding for their operation—

Canadian Heritage committee  —they contribute towards the objective. I think that was the objective of the other side. We don't regulate for profitability. A healthy, profitable industry is important to contribute towards the creation of Canadian content. What our position is in light of all of the changes,

Canadian Heritage committee  You will be looking at that without some form of government intervention. The production of Canadian content will definitely suffer. I think that's the conclusion of the report.

Canadian Heritage committee  I would venture to say they might be complaining more about what's not under my purview, since I'm the executive director of broadcasting—

Canadian Heritage committee  —and issues with respect to telecom products—

Canadian Heritage committee  —because if you look at the price of cable, it is cheaper in this country than in the U.S.