Canadian Heritage committee  You will recall that one of the criticisms by Quebecor was that the fund did not finance projects on different platforms in the new media, etc. Clearly this is one of the drivers behind the discontent with the fund at this point in time.

Canadian Heritage committee  No, first off, we have no preconceived notions. Secondly, as you pointed out, everybody talked in broad strokes. If you're going to understand what's really going on here, you have to go down to the details and what the funding and distribution mechanisms are that people really

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes and no. As part of my job, it is absolutely vital that I understand what the industry thinks, or what the players in the industry think, and hear their views unfiltered either by briefing notes from my staff or intermediaries. So I have been taking off every Friday since bein

Canadian Heritage committee  You heard what the concerns were when both of them were before you, so I don't need to repeat them. You had Mr. Shaw here and Mr. Péladeau here. Why has it taken so long? You know, it's a system that works, and at least to some extent a lot of people benefit from it. There's a r

Canadian Heritage committee  It's a good question. Unfortunately, you're asking the wrong person. I don't have supervisory responsibility for the fund. I don't have any members of the CRTC sitting on the fund, etc. My role, or the role of the CRTC, comes in at the very tail end. Namely, our regulations say t

Canadian Heritage committee  Firstly, I don't assume the companies are acting in bad faith. They both announced they will resume the payments, etc. Secondly, I'd expect that our task force will resolve the issue. Thirdly, a resolution, whatever it will be, will probably require an amendment to the regulation

Canadian Heritage committee  As I already said, the system is quite clear. We are responsible for ensuring the broadcasting of Canadian content. We do that by requiring cable companies and satellite communications companies to make contributions to the Canadian Television Fund. To date, that has worked and t

Canadian Heritage committee  I chose Mr. Arpin because of his experience within the industry and the CRTC and because he knows all the players very well. Mr. Arpin chose the individuals who will be working with him. He will explain why.

Canadian Heritage committee  What we have here is a crisis. We want to resolve it quickly; we want to find a solution. That's why we should have, first of all, the facts; let's get past the headlines and the public positions of people to find out what's really going on. Secondly, we're dealing with very con

Canadian Heritage committee  No, not at all.

Canadian Heritage committee  I should have used those words; that's a very good description.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes. The release specifically mentioned, “Other relevant stakeholders”. So if a group comes forward and wants to contribute, of course Michel and his task force will talk to them; we want to make sure we cover the landscape. But his mandate is limited to resolving this issue, and

Canadian Heritage committee  You're absolutely right. The fund is a non-profit corporation. It has its own board of governors. On it sit various representatives from the industry, including the ones from the cable companies, and representatives from the Department of Canadian Heritage. Its responsibility is

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, you're absolutely right.

Canadian Heritage committee  Yes, that's its purpose. The purpose of the CTF is to receive those funds and to place them in the industry to generate Canadian content. In its simplest form, that's what it is. And it makes sure that's done in an equitable and efficient way, and one where you get the most bang