Norm richards of Winnipeg-based In Town Films is an independent producer.

I recently tuned in to the crtc hearings for new specialty channels. Few of us can afford the time to intervene at such hearings, so I feel an obligation to comment through this publication.

As an independent producer, I’m troubled by the large promises being made to increase Canadian programming through people like me. I also think if broadcasters could find another way to develop programs without involving the independent community, they would try. I’m more concerned about independents being used as pawns in the rush for new channels than I am with picking fights with those who could be friends later.

However, please consider first what the purpose of independents is. These cats are the industry’s original entrepreneurs. They find the program ideas, often invest their own money to develop the ideas, and seek out broadcast and financing sources to bring the ideas to an audience.

This simple, yet basic, function of an independent producer runs into many, and I mean many, high hurdles when it comes to marketing and selling these ideas. Many have tried and many have just given up because of the frustrations encountered when pitching program ideas to Canadian broadcasters. You will understand then why I have trouble with the promises being made by broadcaster applicants to the crtc.

66% Cancon

The cbc, for example, recently reported that in the seven years of its current licence it has only reached 66% Canadian content, when the promise it made was to reach 90% by this year. cbc complains about setbacks, but God knows it has been offered enough programs from independents, coupled with the potential to develop additional program ideas in association with these independents, that meeting Canadian content requirements should not be an issue in 1994. And yet it remains a festering problem.

Now, these hearings are witness to how much broadcaster applicants will play to this issue.

It’s been my experience to try to run the gauntlet of selling my ideas to broadcasters over these past seven years and literally found myself dumbfounded and disillusioned by the experience. I’ve gone over one-quarter million dollars in debt selling a proud and important story based on the Lamb family experience facing the government intervention in their lives. My television movie still is not produced. At the same time, every independent source we consulted commented that our program concept deserves to be produced.

I urge the crtc to please limit the number of new channels licensed. The record of existing broadcasters is simply poor in developing enough quality Canadian-made programs in all categories, but especially drama.

I’m sure if a pool of funds were accumulated based on every program broadcasters overlooked, failed to purchase or dropped from development over a seven-year period, we would be left with enough money to make seven to 10 high-quality, independently produced films across the country each year. Although by default, the new crtc-created production fund answers this problem – still it’s not enough.