Canadian Heritage committee  Brazil is an example. Brazil is an enormous country with nearly 200 million inhabitants, a country where economic inequalities are terrible, but a country where there is also a lot of money. Brazil has never had public television. However, it is now studying the possibility, indeed the necessity of establishing a public television network.

Canadian Heritage committee  First, you have to see how that was accounted for. I wasn't here when that was presented. What types of programs were involved? What was counted or not?

Canadian Heritage committee  We would have to check. But once again, once it's produced outside, there is a certain amount of financing that comes from the outside which is not internal funding. So, in the final accounting, it may cost the Crown corporation less.

Canadian Heritage committee  I think that we currently have a mixed system. Virtually no more dramatic productions are done in house. There is one, I believe, at Radio-Canada. I'm not talking about the CBC, but rather Radio-Canada. In documentaries, they're done outside exclusively. So there is currently a balance that I think is suitable and that was enriching, incidentally.

Canadian Heritage committee  In response to your two questions, I can't say anything other than what you just said, because that's precisely my first point. The fourth point of my presentation is that, now more than ever, in this fragmented era, we need it. In fact, the unimaginable constellation of channels, Web sites, blogs and so on won't necessarily give you a whole picture.

Canadian Heritage committee  We could set a rule that 50% of the boards of directors of Crown corporations must consist of women. Men and women are now equally represented in cabinets in France and Quebec. It's even easier to reach parity when you can appoint people to a board of directors. A right step would be taken by requiring that women make up 50% of the CBC/Radio-Canada's board of directors.

Canadian Heritage committee  Do you mean the governance of Radio-Canada?

Canadian Heritage committee  Radio-Canada is currently directed by a board of directors that you appoint, is it not?

Canadian Heritage committee  In my view, it's a broadcaster that has the means, the resources to carry out a mandate that must be clear. That's important. I think that that mandate must also clearly state a certain number of things. That's the responsibility of the body that feeds it, that is the government.

Canadian Heritage committee  It is a board appointed by the government or, in any case, by the minister. That board of directors does not assume the day-to-day management of the Crown corporation, but it ensures that its mandate is carried out. That is the role of governance. It is a board of directors that must ensure that the mandate is presented, and regularly and carefully verify that that mandate is carried out, and make occasional reminders when it is not.

Canadian Heritage committee  Good morning, Mr. Chairman, committee members. Thank you for inviting me to testify before you this morning. I'm delighted to be here. I am a producer at Productions Virage, a production company that has been in existence for 22 years now and that is mainly known for the production of documentaries on major social issues.