Montreal: Through a government order-in-council, Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps has asked the crtc to undertake public hearings and file a report on the state of French-language broadcasting services outside of Quebec.

An official with Heritage says it’s the first time the government has asked the commission to undertake both a hearing process and table a formal report.

‘With the explosive growth of new channels and services, we need to ensure our stories and Francophone culture across the country are shared by all Canadians,’ Copps said in a press release.

Copps has asked the crtc to file its report ‘at the earliest possible time, but not later than December 31, 2000.’

Exercising its authority under section 15 of the Broadcasting Act, the governor-in-council request asks the commission ‘to identify the deficiencies and challenges facing French radio, television, specialty, pay and pay-per-view services whether public, private or community, and to propose ways to improve Canadians’ access to the widest range of French-language broadcasting possible.’