OTTAWA - As CBC prepared to announce cuts to programming Thursday, the NDP called on the government to boost the state broadcasters current annual subsidy of $1.1 billion. CBC president Hubert Lacroix will brief employees about the financial future of the broadcaster in the wake of losing the English-language rights to NHL hockey games and the $100 million in annual ad revenue that went with them. In the House of Commons Wednesday, New Democrat Irene Mathyssen claimed the Harper government has abandoned CBC. Mr. Speaker, we need a government that believes in supporting public broadcasting, not dismantling it, Mathyssen said. Will the government finally commit to provide CBC/Radio-Canada stable, long-term funding so it can fulfil its mandate? Heritage Minister Shelly Glover told the Commons the CBC is an independent body that manages its own affairs. She also pointed out Lacroix has said the broadcaster is dealing with declining viewership. When we talk about viewership, it is up to the CBC and Radio-Canada to provide viewership and programming that Canadians are interested in, Glover said. In the meantime, this government has given record funds. It has enough to deal with its mandate, and I encourage it to do so. sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/politics/archives/2014/04/20140409-174329.html
Posted on: Sun, 13 Apr 2014 07:25:10 +0000
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