Canadian Heritage committee  These are not anecdotes. We just had a convention. Our members talked about the current situation. They said it was disastrous and did not bode well for the future of CBC/Radio-Canada. That is what is going on now.

Canadian Heritage committee  They have not taken a political position. They have taken a position in response to what they are experiencing right now, in response to the threat to CBC/Radio-Canada.

Canadian Heritage committee  I repeat, this is not a partisan position. We are not taking issue with the Conservative Party. We are taking issue with the government's decisions. Let us stop this.

Canadian Heritage committee  The members of our federation have expressed very real concerns. Their reaction to what they are going through is negative, of course, but I want to make it clear that my position is not partisan. If any other government were in power, we would be having the same problems, the sa

Canadian Heritage committee  I think we should take a look at the questions that were asked. Considering the overall results of the survey, we see that 80% of respondents said that they cared about CBC/Radio-Canada and were prepared to increase its funding if necessary. However, when it came to numbers, we

Canadian Heritage committee  I would agree with Ms. Lareau: we are not here for political purposes.

Canadian Heritage committee  I did not say that I did not want to answer the question. I began by saying that we were not here for partisan purposes. As Ms. Lareau said, at this point in CBC/Radio-Canada's development, the government is putting the pressure on and cutting its funding. That is the current gov

Canadian Heritage committee  I thought I was answering.

Canadian Heritage committee  The last I heard, we are not participating in the strategic review, nor are the unions part of—

Canadian Heritage committee  No, and it is pretty clear that they do not necessarily want to know what we think.

Canadian Heritage committee  It is clear that regional services are important. However, the most critical point—maybe I will be deviating from my focus somewhat—is that, given the cuts that have already been made, Friday's announcement has put CBC/Radio-Canada's ability to carry out its mandate in danger. I

Canadian Heritage committee  That would be the case, particularly in terms of regional service throughout Canada—

Canadian Heritage committee  There would be fewer local broadcasts and more acquisitions. Major cuts to original made-in-Canada programs were announced for French programming in Quebec and probably for the English network too. Right now, the only option is acquiring foreign-produced programs. There is anot

Canadian Heritage committee  That is how it looks. That is how we see it.

Canadian Heritage committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Thank you for having us. The Fédération nationale des communications represents nearly a hundred unions with a total membership of some 6,000 print and electronic media practitioners in Quebec, Ontario and New Brunswick. It