Senator Wells: Thank you, Senator Downe. If you would take another question, I’d be grateful.

A penalty of $2 million a day from what is essentially a taxpayer-owned institution — is that really much of a penalty? To me, it’s the same pair of pants, just a different pocket. Could you comment on that and what kind of penalty that is when the taxpayers are the ultimate bearers of this burden?

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?

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Do we have people who have questions for Senator Downe? We have four minutes.

[Translation]

Senator Miville-Dechêne: Would you take a question, Senator Downe?

Senator Downe: Would Senator Simons take a question?

The Hon. the Speaker pro tempore: Senator Downe, your time for debate is over. There are three more senators who wish to question you. Are you requesting five more minutes?

Senator Downe: If the Senate agrees.

Hon. Percy E. Downe: Therefore, honourable senators, in amendment, I move:

That Bill C-11, as amended, be not now read a third time, but that it be further amended

(a) in clause 28,

(i) on page 32, by adding the following after line 1:

(ii) on page 37,

(A) by replacing line 8 with the following:

(B) by adding the following after line 10:

(b) on page 41, by adding the following after line 22:

Senator Downe: Yes.

Senator Miville-Dechêne: First, as I’m sure most of you know, I was a Radio-Canada journalist for 25 years. I have to say that for transparency’s sake.

Now, here’s my question. You said that Prince Edward Island did not have access to regional television during the crisis, and that’s obviously unacceptable and shouldn’t be tolerated. However, one thing you forgot to mention is that there was still local radio, so people could still get the news on CBC radio during the crisis. That being the case, don’t you think the $2 million fine you’re calling for as a response to this incident is a bit high, considering that Radio-Canada is independent and that CBC/Radio-Canada radio was still on the air?

[English]

Hon. Pierre J. Dalphond: Would Senator Downe take another question?

I will be quick. In paragraph (b) of your amendment, you propose to make public the salary of a certain number of people in comparison with the salary of a senator and not that of an MP. If you want the amendment to be accepted by the other place, perhaps you should include the salary of MPs as well.

My question is this. Does this not constitute a violation of privacy under the Privacy Act?

[English]