Official Languages committee  As I explained to Mr. Godin and Mr. Gravel earlier, CBC/Radio-Canada selects the galas based on what interests the audience most. However, when we look at the gala ratings from previous years, we increasingly realize that television isn't a medium that suits galas. That's why I don't know what kind of format will be adopted for galas in future.

Official Languages committee  For it to be possible to promote artists, people have to watch the galas. If no one watches them, that means we're not doing our job to promote those artists who appear on television. This involves a combination of content, medium and audience. These are programming decisions. Our programming people are highly competent.

Official Languages committee  Did you say Dieu merci!?

Official Languages committee  Mr. D'Amours, there are a lot of aspects to your comments and questions. Allow me to try to answer them. A little earlier, I said that the reactions to the gala broadcast made us even more aware of the issue of the format of that program. As regards next year, Mr. D'Amours, I have no idea of what they will do.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Godin, we have to go back to the mandates of the programs. Mr. Stursberg tried to tell you that the mandate of that program concerned a specific anglophone audience. The way the program, the 44-minute summary, was constructed really takes that mandate into account.

Official Languages committee  Mr. Godin, that's not quite what I was trying to explain to you.

Official Languages committee  I would have to review the board of directors. I can answer that question if you want me to take the time to think of each of the 12 directors. I can tell you that we have two open positions at this time.

Official Languages committee  No. I'm trying to tell you that each program has a mandate. For example, if a program's mandate is clearly to present francophone artists to the anglophone audience, I'm convinced that we'll adequately deliver that kind of program. I'm simply repeating that that wasn't the purpose of the 44-minute summary of the gala.

Official Languages committee  Yes, absolutely.

Official Languages committee  Our board of directors is balanced from a linguistic perspective.

Official Languages committee  Not entirely.

Official Languages committee  Yes, but before that, Mr. Rémi Racine joined our board of directors, and he's a francophone.

Official Languages committee  He comes from Montreal. He's been sitting on our board of directors for about four months. It is common practice to balance a board of directors with the best experts from all corners of the country.

Official Languages committee  Yes, two positions are open. The government is working with the chairman of our board of directors to fill those two positions. I'm convinced that the people who are appointed to our board will be of the same quality as those currently sitting on it.

Official Languages committee  I am very, very proud to work at Radio-Canada because our board of directors is diversified: it consists of high-quality people from the Northwest Territories, Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal, Toronto and the Maritimes. Our board speaks and works in both official languages. Frankly, I am happy to be able to work with the board on a day-to-day basis.