CHPC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 9:06 a.m. this day, in Room 308, West Block, the Chair, Gary Schellenberger, presiding.

The Committee commenced consideration of a draft report.

By unanimous consent, it was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

Charlie Angus moved, — Recommendation 1: The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage strongly condemns the actions taken by Shaw Communications Inc. and Vidéotron Ltée to withhold their monthly payments to the CTF, which precipitated a crisis in the television industry and took unnecessary time and effort from all parties involved, including the industry, the CRTC, the Department of Heritage, the CTF, and this committee; and further that it urges the Minister of Heritage to do the same.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 3.

Charlie Angus moved, — Recommendation 2: The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage praises the work of the Canadian Television Fund for reasons outlined by all witnesses appearing before the committee on this matter – with the exception of Shaw Communications Inc. and Vidéotron Ltée – including, but not limited to:

a) success in generating more than 23,000 hours of new Canadian television productions in English, French and aboriginal languages, which are crucial to the television industry and to the fostering of Canadian culture;

b) helping foster a Canadian television production industry that creates tens-of-thousands of jobs, both directly and indirectly, in the audio-visual industry and other spin-offs industries;

c) leveraging addition investment in Canadian television production at a rate of $2-$3.30 for every CTF dollar allocated.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 3.

Recommendation 3 which reads as follows: The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage urges the CRTC to amend the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations to stipulate that BDU’s must make monthly, rather than annual, contributions to the Canadian Television Fund, was adopted

Charlie Angus moved, — Recommendation 4: The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage urges the CRTC to amend the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations to set out clear, financial penalties to BDU’s who fail to abide by the monthly payment schedule.

By unanimous consent, the motion was allowed to stand.

Charlie Angus moved, — Recommendation 5: The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage urges the Minister of Heritage to enact provisions that the government will provide interest-free bridge financing for the CTF if contributors to the fund fail to meet their monthly funding obligations. Repayment of this loan would occur when the delinquent contributor’s payments are back up to date. Repayment of this loan will include a reasonable interest rate in the form of the financial penalty set out in Recommendation 4.

By unanimous consent, the motion was allowed to stand.

Charlie Angus moved, — Recommendation 6: The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recommends that the CTF maintain the following provisions: a) that a minimum of 5% of contributors gross revenues from broadcast operations go to Canadian programming. b) that 80% of the required contribution must go to the CTF. c) that the CTF must set aside the equivalent of 37% of its total revenues for programs destined for the CBC/SRC. d) that the CTF allocates funds exclusively to independent producers.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 2.

Charlie Angus moved, — Recommendation 7: The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recommends that the government move the annual contributions to the CTF to A-base, permanent funding as a step toward true stability to the fund.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 2.

Charlie Angus moved, — Recommendation 8: The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage finds that it is unusual at the CRTC would engage in closed door hearings on the future of the CTF. Nonetheless, as the CRTC mandate is limited to payment obligations, and as the CTF is under the mandate of the Heritage Ministry, we recommend that any CRTC findings be brought back for public hearings mandated through the Heritage Ministry.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 2.

With the Committee's consent, Maka Kotto's motion presented on Thursday, February 22 was withdrawn

Maka Kotto moved, — Pursuant to Standing order 108 (2), the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage recommends to the government: - that any structural and core policy changes directly affecting Canada's telecommunications policy or Canada's broadcasting policy be subject to votes in the House of Commons before they can take effect, and that the Chair so report to the House .

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 7; NAYS: 2.

It was agreed, — That in relation to its Study on the role for a Public Broadcasting in the 21st Century, the meetings of the Committee in Ottawa be televised whenever possible.

It was agreed, — That the Committee ask CBC management to make Public announcements on local radio in Yellowknife for the upcoming Public Hearings of the Committee.

At 10:56 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.