Canadian Heritage committee  In Vancouver and Toronto, I'm sure they get...because there is production in Vancouver and Toronto, and Montreal.

Canadian Heritage committee  About this idea of relaxing Canadian content, I just don't get it. We have a very vibrant and exciting music industry in Canada. Why? Because at one point, unless I'm mistaken, the CRTC said, look, guys, you have to play Canadian music” As a result, we have a Canadian music industry.

Canadian Heritage committee  Perhaps you should suggest to the CBC that they ask the BBC how they did it. That would be a start.

Canadian Heritage committee  It was the budget cuts that...

Canadian Heritage committee  This goes back at least 15 years.

Canadian Heritage committee  Indeed, I took part myself in several of these productions either as an actor or as director. What the local Radio-Canada did at the time was simply film the play put on by the Cercle Molière either in the theatre or sometimes in a studio, according to the type of production.

Canadian Heritage committee  No, I can't see that. As you say, the only French-language television production broadcast by Radio-Canada here is the news bulletin. Occasionally, there is a special musical radio program that features local talent but that is the exception.

Canadian Heritage committee  I am criticizing Radio-Canada's lack of will. Montreal gets all of the money and the production is done in Quebec. You know as I do that there are a large number of television productions, but the majority of English-language programs that reach us are American programs. In Quebec, there is a great deal of production being done.

Canadian Heritage committee  As it happens, this afternoon I believe you will also be hearing from a representative from the Société franco-manitobaine, our political voice. He will surely be able to give you numerous examples of the work they have done with Radio-Canada to try and break this deadlock. He will be able to give you more concrete examples than I can.

Canadian Heritage committee  No, insofar as drama and variety programs are concerned, there is none.

Canadian Heritage committee  We may make up about 10% of the population, but I am terrible with figures; I apologize.

Canadian Heritage committee  We have the news. In western Canada, there is a program called ZigZag. It is a cultural program, but it is only broadcast in the west. That is all we have. This afternoon I believe a representative from Productions Rivard is supposed to come and testify before you. That firm did indeed carry out a few projects, and its representative will be able to give you further details.

Canadian Heritage committee  Approximately 10, 15 or 20 years ago, locally, Radio-Canada filmed one of the plays put on by the Cercle Molière per season, which was enormous at the time. It was a privilege for us to see our actors on stage. Of course, since the cuts, all of this has vanished, but at the time, it was really extraordinary that a local theatre company saw one of its productions per season on the TV screen.

Canadian Heritage committee  Good morning, and welcome to Winnipeg. Although ACTRA represents English-speaking actors, there are nevertheless in Manitoba a certain number of French-speaking actors. That is why I thought it might be useful to ask you to hear my brief comments. I do not have figures to back up my brief, which may prove if any proof were needed, that I am an artist and not a public servant.