Canadian Heritage committee  Based on what I can see, no. But we are not absolutely certain of that. We want to see what the consequences of this consolidation are. For that reason, we have decided that we will be holding hearings in May on that very subject, to ensure that we have all the tools we need to c

Canadian Heritage committee  The integration that we are seeing reflects the logical development of this industry, according to the players. The platforms clearly demonstrate that programming is moving. In order to secure more power and not be left behind, companies are trying to acquire all different kinds

Canadian Heritage committee  They had an opportunity to abuse that power. That's why we weren't sure.

Canadian Heritage committee  No, I believe Quebec is further advanced. There you have one large company that is practically integrated—Quebecor—and which has been operating for a number of years already. In the English-speaking world, convergence and vertical integration began last year. It is a new phenomen

Canadian Heritage committee  In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, our challenge as regulator is a fascinating one. We aim to interfere as little as possible in the marketplace. At the same time, we're challenged with a very important mandate: fostering the cultural and social objectives of the Broadcasting Act. In

Canadian Heritage committee  Of course, it is difficult to be a small independent entity when there are giants operating in a market. As we pointed out, we have rules in place to protect these small entities and ensure that the giants don't take advantage of policies and programs to the detriment of small co

Canadian Heritage committee  No, I'm saying that it has always been that way. In order for small programmers to be competitive, they must set themselves apart from the others through their effectiveness and originality. Nowadays there are large fully integrated companies. Naturally, a small programmer wants

Canadian Heritage committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. In the short time we have, I'd like to address three subjects this committee is considering. First I'll address the implications of vertical integration in broadcasting, and second, the maintenance of a diversity of voices. Third, my colleague, Rita C

Industry committee  I don't see a problem in this case, first because other satellites have access to Canada, and also because our satellite company Telesat carries out very few activities in Canada. In fact, most of its activities consist in selling satellites abroad. It competes with other countri

Industry committee  To position a satellite serving Canada in the sky, we have to have a spot, and we obtain it from ITU in Geneva. The Department of Industry determines what percentage of a satellite will be used to serve Canada, the United States, etc. It has nothing to do with the ownership of th

Industry committee  It has nothing to do with the ownership of the satellites.

Industry committee  We now purchase Canadian and foreign satellite broadcasts to serve Canada, and the same thing will apply in future. I don't see how the ownership of satellites can have the least influence on Canadian programming. I don't see the connection.

Industry committee  Traditionally we have said that telecommunications companies are carriage companies. They don't have anything to do with the content; they just carry it from here to there, etc. They are impartial providers. Broadcasting is something different. You create content and influence co

Industry committee  It's the same answer that I gave your colleagues. Of course you can do it, but you create artificial distinctions and artificial structures that don't really reflect the economic or the technological reality. That's exactly why I'm saying this: let's face the fact that we are loo

Industry committee  Are you talking mostly about wireless?