Statement made on 05 March 2009 by Senator Maria Chaput
Hon. Maria Chaput:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Approximately 9 million people speak French in Canada and about one million of them live in a minority environment. One of the most important tools for community communications for these francophones is the community radio station. There are 25 stations on the air and another six are being set up in nine provinces and two territories. These stations have access to the Community Radio Fund of Canada, which was established in 2008.
A number of community radio stations will find themselves in a very critical situation if they do not receiving financing from this fund by April 1, 2009. It could mean closing down. It could create a gap in French communications and job losses in the most remote, the most vulnerable and the smallest of Canada's regions.
The Government in power would be abandoning thousands of francophones and would not be meeting its obligations with respect to the provision of services to francophones in minority situations.
Madam minister, why have these monies not already been allocated and paid out? Do you intend to remedy the situation immediately?
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