This article presents a comparative critique of the rationalization of the public system of broadcasting and Canadian and Quebec lifeworlds. A theory of the culture and the politics of the public sphere is developped from Taylor's concept of the politics of recognition and Habermas's dual concept of society as system and lifeworld. The political impass between Canada and Quebec and the possible dismantling of the CBC/SRC are considered from the point of view of this problematic. A review of the role of the SRC as a steering mechanism for Canadian society is developped from a review of the secondary literature and, finally, a plea is made for a new Global Radio-Quebec that would replace Radio-Canada and provide a key institution for developing a new social pact in an independent Quebec.