Senator Housakos: Senator Simons, I’m a little confused. You’re either for transparency or you’re not. The problem we have had over many decades is that the CBC, when it comes to dealing with certain aspects, is taken away from the realm of good governance and the board, and they are managed directly by the minister’s office and whoever the CEO is, who has been appointed by the minister’s office to begin with. The Broadcasting Act is the exact place to protect taxpayers’ money.

What would be the hesitation, if we believe in transparency, putting it crystal clear in this revamped, modern and renewed Broadcasting Act to make sure that the CBC — which is funded completely by taxpayers’ money — will be transparent like every other government agency?

Senator Downe: If the Senate agrees.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Is it agreed, honourable senators?

Hon. David M. Wells: Would Senator Downe take another question?

Thank you for your speech and amendment. You mentioned a couple of times that this would be a daily fine. I don’t see that reflected in the amendment. Could you comment on that, please?

Hon. Senators: Agreed.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: I believe the nays have it.

Some Hon. Senators: Yea.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: All those opposed please say “nay.”

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Ms. Nicole Baptiste, Mr. Allen Alexandre and the artists invited to exhibit their works by the Centre culturel afro-canadien de Montréal and by Mosaïque interculturelle. They are the guests of the Honourable Senator Mégie.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

The Hon. the Speaker: Is it your pleasure, honourable senators, to adopt the motion?

Hon. Senators: Hear, hear!

[English]

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Mr. Joe Lu, President of Canada Hubei Chamber of Commerce. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator Oh.

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Do you have a question?

Senator Housakos: My question is this: Why do you want to narrowcast francophone culture and have them only provide their services to a few million francophones when they have hundreds of millions around the world?

The Hon. the Speaker: Honourable senators, I wish to draw your attention to the presence in the gallery of Richard Koo, President of the International Olympic Academy Participants Association. He is the guest of the Honourable Senator Deacon (Ontario).

On behalf of all honourable senators, I welcome you to the Senate of Canada.

An Hon. Senator: Question.

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Are senators ready for the question?

Senator Cardozo: Yes.