Federal Budget ‘Good News’ for CBC: President
This is the complete text of CBC President Hubert Lacroix’s note to CBC staff on the federal budget that was tabled yesterday. Lacroix says he’s pleased that the ceeb’s budget wasn’t cut like other departments, however there are other issues affecting the CBC’s finances.
March 5, 2010 – The Federal Budget was tabled yesterday. While we’re still studying details, I wanted to share my initial response to what the Budget means for CBC/Radio-Canada.
First and foremost, I am very happy with the Government’s support of CBC/Radio-Canada in the context of the Strategic Review initiative. As you may remember, we were asked to review the performance of all of our services and to identify 5 per cent of our budget that could have been reallocated elsewhere by Government. After reviewing us, the Government concluded that, “…reallocations were not necessary as programs delivered by [CBC/Radio-Canada] are aligned with the priorities of Canadians.”
This is good news for us. You should know that our Minister, the Hon. James Moore, really went to bat for us on this file and supported our position; I am very grateful to him (and his staff) for standing up for us in these difficult economic times. I’m also very pleased with the government’s endorsement of our services. It’s a great vote of confidence that I think we can all be proud of.
The continued stability in our funding will help us complete the two-year recovery plan we implemented last March.
You have no doubt heard about the Government’s three-year freeze on funding for salary increases. We understand that this measure will extend to CBC/Radio-Canada. It means that each organization will have to find its own way to manage the budget implications of this freeze. We will be studying what that means for us.
There are a number of other issues affecting our finances that we should learn more about in the coming weeks, but I wanted to share the conclusion of the Strategic Review with you immediately.
Cheers.
Hubert
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[...] a note to staff, CBC president Hubert Lacroix said he was very happy with the outcome, describing it as “good [...]
Referring to the last paragraph of Mr. Hubert’s letter:
“There are a number of other issues affecting our finances that we should learn more about in the coming weeks, but I wanted to share the conclusion of the Strategic Review with you immediately.
Cheers. Hubert”
I would like to suggest Mr. Lacroix take a look at CBC Montreal’s – ‘highly questionable’ management decisions – that seem dedicated to: turning ‘off’ the -majority- of it’s long standing, Montreal audience and thereby driving away a very viable source – of advertising revenue.
The situation has become so alarming in fact, that Montrealers recognize .. if they want to ‘Save’ CBC Montreal – they have to – get involved and help CBC Management – see the very obvious ‘errors’ CBC Montreal – management & sales team, continue to insist on making. Mr. Leroix must also be aware that Montrealers and its majority English speaking community – contribute 69% of the Provinces budget… and this revenue (advertiser) source – to keep CBC – healthy and wealthy – is certainly there for the pickings. The question is: Why is CBC’s management – refusing to take advantage of it?
Among many other ‘questionable decisions’ being made at CBC Montreal, Montrealers have been meet with a Wall Of Silence since February 17th., to their countless attempts to communicate with CBC. Perhaps – the Advertisers have experienced the same and that’s why they have ‘gone elsewhere’ ?
In any event: Here’s a copy of an “Open Letter” – the listener’s have felt forced to send. I very much hope to see a reply that addresses – both my questions above and the letter below.
Please know that, of course a copy of my comment on this page is being forwarded on to the Facebook page – concerned.
Respectfully, DidiM
Bring Back Nancy Wood – An Open Letter to Pia Marquand of the CBC.
Written on March 8, 2010 by Michael in Opinion
I sent the following letter to Pia Marquard at the CBC today. You can send her your thoughts at pia.marquard@cbc.ca. Not sure what to say? Just copy this message and paste it into your email.
Ms. Marquard,
It was with great chagrin that I read of the impending dismissal of Nancy Wood from CBC Montreal’s Daybreak. Nancy Wood is a popular and engaging radio host, who leads the morning team with wit, humor and intelligence.
Since the departure of Dave Bronstetter, listeners have been treated to a revolving door of replacement hosts, and then Mike Finnerty. Not to diminish Mr. Finnerty’s talents as a journalist, Nancy Wood is a far more appropriate choice for the position than he ever was.
My understanding of the situation is that the management at CBC is concerned about ratings. It is unclear to me why this should be the case. Ratings are mostly a concern for private broadcasters, who must justify their advertising rates. The role of the CBC should be to provide quality programming, without regard to commercial considerations.
I am a devoted CBC listener, and strong supporter of public broadcasting. I have long believed that the best and brightest in Canadian radio and television always end up at CBC. The list is impressive: Sook-Yin Lee, George Stromboulopoulos, Heather Hiscox, Jennifer Hollett and even Frank Cavallaro here in Montreal. Nancy Wood is as competent and charismatic as any of these, and she should not be discounted simply because she has devoted her career to the CBC.
Your decision shows a profound lack of respect for CBC Radio 1 listeners in Montreal. Since you have chosen to remain silent on this issue, we – your listeners – can only assume that you and the rest of the management at CBC Quebec are either misguided or incompetent. As a public institution, the CBC is morally obliged to provide accountability for its actions.
As a taxpayer, I am always glad to see that the CBC as a whole, and CBC Radio in particular, remains a vibrant source for intelligent news, culture and debate. It is an intellectual haven in a spectrum so cluttered with bland music, uninformative news broadcasts and cookie-cutter personalities; to say nothing of the advertising.
I understand that Nancy Wood’s engagement as the host of Daybreak was for a one year trial. This makes sense, yet by pulling the rug out from under her already, you have not given her the opportunity to even fulfill that trial.
We, the listeners and taxpayers, are your employer. Remember that your duty is to serve us. As your boss, I am very dissappointed in your performance so far. I hope that the growing public outcry over this matter will cause you to reconsider your decision, and that you will offer Nancy the opportunity to finish her contract without prejudice. I am certain that she would treat you with more grace and dignity than you have shown her.
Sincerely,
Michael Lautman, Ph.D.
Tags: cbc