CHPC Committee Meeting

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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

Meeting No. 9

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met at 3:33 p.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Gary Ralph Schellenberger, presiding.

Members of the Committee present: Charlie Angus, Rod Bruinooge, Dean Del Mastro, Ruby Dhalla, Shelly Glover, Nina Grewal, Carole Lavallée, Roger Pomerleau, Pablo Rodriguez, Gary Ralph Schellenberger, Scott Simms and Tim Uppal.

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Michael Dewing, Analyst ; Marion Ménard, Analyst.

Witnesses: Department of Canadian Heritage: Judith A. LaRocque, Deputy Minister; Susan Peterson, Associate Deputy Minister; Pablo Sobrino, Director General, Strategic Policy, Planning and Research Branch.

Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the Committee on Monday, February 9, 2009, the Committee resumed its Strategic Review of Arts and Culture Program Expenditures.

The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

At 4:32 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:41 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.

It was agreed, — That, in light of the economic downturn, this Committee conduct a study at its earliest convenience on the future of television in Canada and the impact of the economic crisis on the industry in our local communities, beginning with calling to appear on March 25, 2009 from the Canada Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission: Konrad von Finckenstein, Chairman, Michel Arpin, Vice-Chairman of Broadcasting, and Peter Foster, Director General of Television Policy and Applications, to provide a briefing examining impacts on

1. broadcast in terms of the following key issues that are emerging:

a) the upcoming transition to digital programming;

b) the financial pressures on local and Canadian programming;

c) the need to maintain diversity of voices in media markets across Canada;

d) the effectiveness of cultural development funds on ensuring Canadian voices are able to compete in a challenged television landscape; and

2. the upcoming public hearing on License Renewals for Private Conventional Television Stations listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2009-113 in light of the recent economic crisis and technological innovations; and

that the Committee report the findings of this study to the House.

At 5:16 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

Graeme Truelove
Committee Clerk

2009-03-20 2:23 p.m.