Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is once again facing cutbacks throughout the country. CBC Northern Service Radio is slated for a cut of 28 percent by April 1st of next year, while Northern Service Television will be cut by 39 percent by April 1st, 1998.
It appears that the CBC is making decisions at the national level which show little regard for the realities of regions like the north. Regional programming, which attracts a limited audience in southern markets like Vancouver or Edmonton -- where commercial stations are also available -- are being considered in the same manner as regional programming in the North, where there are few commercial alternatives
Across-the-board cuts have a higher impact here in the north that any other region of Canada. It is simply not economical for private broadcasters to serve the diversity of people and cover the vast distances between communities in the north. CBC not only provides service to residents in almost every community, it also provides service in a variety of languages across four time zones.
I have already expressed this government's opposition to any substantial cuts to CBC Northern Service through letters sent to CBC Northern Service through letters sent to CBC chairman Perrin Beatty, Honourable Sheila Copps, Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage and the NWT's two Members of Parliament. I have also met with Minister Copps to discuss this government's concerns about the impact of the budget cuts.
My colleagues, the Honourable Manitok Thompson, Iqaluit MLA Edward Picco and Nunatsiaq MP Jack Anawak, recently met with Mr. Beatty to reinforce this message and to further explain the CBC's important role in providing broadcast services in aboriginal languages.
The cuts to CBC Northern Service are particularly significant in light of recent cuts to aboriginal broadcasters, including the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation, Native Communications Society and the Inuvialuit Communications Society. The federal government is cutting its support to these broadcasters by almost 15 percent in the current fiscal year and another three percent next fiscal year.
The Northwest Territories is quickly approaching an important point in its history. Division will raise many issues. Northerners must be fully informed so we can make the political decisions needed to carry us into the future. An easily accessible source of information, provided in the languages of the NWT, is more important than ever. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.