Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 25th, 2024

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

In regard to digital ad revenue, where are you today?

[Catherine Tait]

We count ad revenue and subscription revenue together. The number was at $38 million in 2018, and today it's at about $105 million.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

That's remarkable. Are you the only national bilingual broadcaster in this country?

[Catherine Tait]

Yes.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Okay. If CBC were cut, what would happen in rural Canada?

[Catherine Tait]

People would be denied local service—news, television and radio.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

What is CBC's position in regard to diversity and inclusion?

[Catherine Tait]

We consider that CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate is to serve all Canadians. That is why, for the last four years, we've made a very concerted effort, with enormous success, to be more representative, not only in our workforce but also in our programming.

I point to the wonderful Radio-Canada series, Lakay nou, now renewed for a third season. I also point to shows like Allegiance in Surrey, B.C., based in the Sikh community. As well, I point to North of North, a new show and the first-ever comedy series produced in Iqaluit. It's a comedy show produced by Inuit creators.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

My last question is one that I always end with, if you recall. How is CBC doing when it comes to supporting young children in this country?

[Catherine Tait]

CBC Kids and Radio-Canada's MAJ, mon actualité du jour, are two critical services that are committed to media literacy. We have hundreds and hundreds of thousands of visits online to our programming through various services for kids.

I mentioned just a minute ago Curio, our educational service that goes to schools across the country. We are critical to educating and informing the next generation of viewers.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Thank you very much.

Again, this will probably be the last time you will join us at this committee. On behalf of myself and I'm sure many other members, thank you for your contribution to Canadian culture and heritage.

[Catherine Tait]

I appreciate that. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much, Mr. Coteau.

I now go to Martin Champoux for two and a half minutes, please.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Tait, you have often given Conservative members answers you had already given me. Personally, I suggest that they listen when I ask questions; that way, they could make better use of their speaking time, for example by asking questions that have not already been answered.

Ms. Tait, were you consulted by the minister and her advisory panel on renewing the CBC's mandate?

[Catherine Tait]

I had an opportunity in August to give a ninety-minute presentation to the panel members. We also answered some questions in writing, of course.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

What recommendations did you make to that advisory panel? What recommendations for improving or modifying CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate would you like to see put in place during the next mandate?

[Catherine Tait]

We do not believe the mandate should be changed. We were very clear on that. We have the same mandate as all public broadcasters in the world: to inform, enlighten, and entertain our audiences. The issue is rather to see what we could improve. In our case, it is how we serve Canadians who live outside urban areas. That was our recommendation, but we need funding so we can have journalists in place all across Canada.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

That is an excellent way of looking at it; regional coverage is indeed extremely fragile. I think the public broadcaster has an important role to plan in the survival of regional information. We experience this on a daily basis.

Let's assume that the public broadcaster has the leeway it needs and has more resources to invest or reinvest in certain specific areas. What areas would you like to see given more financial support, to allow for it to develop in ways that are more worth considering, and maybe more profitable for the corporation?

[Catherine Tait]

We are living in an increasingly digital world. In order for our services to be able to stay relevant for Canadians, we need artificial intelligence, for example. There is a huge amount of work to do when it comes to technology.

In terms of content, we need to work with independent regional producers, not just in Montreal but also in Manitoba and all across Canada.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Could providing facilities or infrastructure for regional private broadcasters that are unable to get established or grow, for lack of resources, be included in the mandate of CBC/Radio-Canada, the public broadcaster?

[Catherine Tait]

Yes, absolutely. We are currently developing relationships with Quebec's community radio stations, for example, for sharing both parties' content. That way, they could have access to our videos, among other things.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

We could then extend that line of thought, and say that if funding for CBC/Radio-Canada were cut, it could have consequences for the French services, but also for the small broadcasters that might benefit from alliances with Radio-Canada.

[Catherine Tait]

It would have consequences for the entire media ecosystem; we must not forget the independent producers.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Thank you. I think that is all the time I have.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Ms. Ashton, you have two and a half minutes, please.