House of Commons to launch CBC review in New Year
The House of Commons’ Heritage Committee will launch a review of the CBC in the New Year. It comes after the cross-party committee expressed frustration that the Heritage minister has not yet announced her long-promised mandate-examination.
”There’s been rising frustration at the committee. Basically nothing’s been done at this committee throughout this [parliamentary] session,” said NDP Heritage critic Charlie Angus, who introduced the motion which passed unanimously. “We can’t continue to allow the CBC to drift.”
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Given the timing I don’t know how to feel about this one. The predictions are that there will be an election in the spring, and likely a new government (The conservatives are tanking in the East). My fear I guess is that they’ll have some hearings, make some recommendations, then there’ll be an election and it’ll all vanish again.
Hopefully, the Heritage Committee will, once and for all, privatize the CBC.
State-run television is a thing of the past and since I no longer watch hockey, I have no reason to watch the CBC anymore. By the sound of things, TSN is about go get the NHL rights, so, basically, CBC is finished. Ratings for other shows are pathetic and most times, do not even make the rating lists.
Other than reruns of Frasier or the Simpsons, there is no program on the CBC that remotely interests me.
I resent having my hard-earned tax-dollars be funneled to a network that has more of a leftist agenda than the Liberals or NDP and with the advent of FOX News finally coming to Canada, I have a much less prejudiced view of the world.
Let CBC make its way of the private networks in Canada. Maybe then, their programming will improve and their news department may have to resort to a more balanced vision of Canada.
The straight facts are the CBC has to go, and the Conservative movement which is rising rapidly is in an enviable position to do something about this albatross of communists , Ryerson grads and fellow travellers. The biased liberal/socialist CBC must go. We cannot support anything that pleases Margaret Atwood and her friends any more, because they are not mainstream, decent, 9-5 salaried Canadians with children and a mortgage. Neither is CBC. Most of their denizens live in sin and have babies out of wedlock.
We can always hope, but I find it very unlikely that the CBC will be privatized. The best possible outcome would be some restrictions on its mandate, where it’s prevented from competing with the private sector in some areas.
There are so many misstatements in the last two posts that I hardly know where to begin. So, I’ll just say that fortunately there seem to be alot more people ready, willing and able to defend the CBC than to attack it. The CBC will be around, as the national public broadcaster for a long long time. Especially with the decline of the conservative movement. (The Conservatives are currently poised to lose Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes). Even in the US the conservative movement is on it’s last legs.
I come from Conservative Saskatchewan and I find the above people to be both ignorant and offensive.
I am an avid fan of the CBC. I appreciate their new programming and will continue to support them as a Government owned operation.
The fact that Fox news has to tell their viewers that they are “fair and balanced” is pathetic. LJ, I hope that you take a political studies class or two to open your eyes to actual world events.
I also would like to mention that the CBC’s programming in both English and French is a benefit, as is their coverage of News. The National with Peter Mansbridge is always enlightening and well done. The other week when I watched The Hour and George Stombo-what had an interview with an expert of Al-Jeera was fantastic.
Right on CBC!
Why does this issue constantly need to be addressed? There are viewers to the CBC, there are listners and devoted followers. I agree with Justin, I think the subject will be dropped in the spring. There is always talk about disbanning the CBC, but my question is this:
Will Canadians finally stand up together and fight for what is theirs if a decision os dismantling is approved?
What Canadians need to realise that nothing happens without a voice and a liberal/socialist shove in any direction. Leave the CBC alone and let us listen and watch in peace.
Wren, you said, “Leave the CBC alone and let us listen and watch in peace.” What about those of us who DO NOT want to watch it, and don’t want our tax dollars going towards it? Why not privatize it, or let the viewers pay for it (ie. Pay channel, like Movie Central). If there are so many of you that want to watch it, it should have no problem surviving, right? It’s called ‘free market’…little over your head I guess.
Justin, said, “there will be an election in the spring, and likely a new government”, and “Especially with the decline of the conservative movement”. All I say to that is, HAHAHAHAH!!!! Little too much CBC there Justin, haha!
As one who was weened on the CBC on CKLW/CBET 9 Windsor
here is what I’d like to see..
A return to a CBC that meant canadian Pride,
more local programmes,including reinstating the 6 and 11pm news
allow the CBC to reclaim some lost viewers who have left for Global and CTV or A Channel..
Give local outlets its own voice, let them do live local sports events,or even live special events in general and total..
I mean I’d love to see a windsor version of the freedom fest fireworks or a windsor spitfires game of the week
I know I’ll probably be given holy hades for my opinions, but
If truth be told, i’d love to have the old strong CBC!
I’m sorry, but the time has come for the CBC to find it’s own funds, as the positions taken by the elitist Left who dictate programming do not reflect the majority of taxpayers currently propping up this faded symbol of failed social engineering.
Yes the CBC receives tax payers dollars, but the actual amount of actual government funding that it receives is much less than people realize.
One of the reasons broadcast content is lacking or not as appealing all around is partly due to many of the cuts in funding the CBC has had in recent years. Along with many and constant changes in who is charge of programming and making those decisions of what is produced and aired.
An excellent example is the cancellation of popular original drama show like “This is Wonderland”.
What the CBC needs is to have a more realistic and useful appropriation of the funding.
We are extremely lucky to have a television station that is supported (in part only!!!) by the goverment. It ensures that we infact due have a support system for Canadian culture, and this is by far a great gift!
We cannot compare our television industry to that of the United States (as an example) – many of the more interesting films that support and explore U.S. culture could not be made without grants and assistance. The same goes for Canada. To make it privatized would mean to let a key cultural outlet fall into the hands of private corporate influence — i.e. whatever makes money.
As for News Programming — The CBC is in my opinion, the least bias and most truthful news programming out there in our country.
I don’t understand the comment about FOX news made in a previous comment? is this sarcastic? are you serious in thinking this is a better more truthful and unbias news source? Its controlled by Amercian corporations!!!!
I can’t stress how much the CBC is such a key component for our culture and heritage, and how it is one of the only outlets for Canadians to present their creativity.
Lastly, if we look globally to other countries, you will see that government/state funded television is not some rare ancient thing. It is a huge part of many countries way to support their own arts community and culture.
For you commenters that ‘appreciate’ CBC would you stop watching it if it was privatised? I find offensive programming, biased news reports, unfactual documentaries(passed of as history) a waste of my tax money.
I am a huge fan of the CBC and CANCON. If anything changes I want to see more CBC!
I wish I could say that I was shocked, or even surprised, by the levels of sheer ignorance in the first two replies to this blog, but I can’t. I can only hope that at sometime they will actually discover a non-biased worldview. I mean, “albatross of communists”? Please.
At the same time, I haven’t much else to say other than to express my agreement with Justin, Anne-Marie, and Wren.
I don’t know why so many folks want to privatize the CBC. What’s wrong with it the way it is?
The CBC caters completely to left wing liberal thinking. The “avid watcher from conservative Saskatchewan” above is clearly not herself conservative. A CBC acolyte criticizing Fox as not being fair and balanced is the pot calling the kettle black.
It is unconscionable to tax conservatives, whatever their proportion in the population while offering them no service. (Not all conservatives love hockey).
The equitable compromise to all the comments above is to privatize the CBC. Its fans can continue to get the programming they adore simply by paying for it directly. Why would they object? Because despite their big talk, they know they would be a minority? Or because part of their pleasure comes from forcing people with a different point of view to subsidize theirs?
I’ve said this before and (in case you couldn’t tell I’m going to say it again) – I firmly believe if it actually came to a popular vote that the CBC would receive more money, not less and would not be privatized.
Conservatives are certainly not the majority of the population. The Liberals, Greens, and NDP are all to the left and if Bloc voters were forced to choose a federalist party, they too would predominantly be on the left (look at the Blocs positions supporting gay marriage, kyoto, against the war in Iraq…) When the conservatives get 51% of the popular vote then we can talk but at the moment they are nowhere close to that.
As to this “It is unconscionable to tax conservatives, whatever their proportion in the population while offering them no service.” What rubbish. There are all kinds of government programs that are not a benefit to everyone in the country – For example, living in the middle of Toronto, I have never seen a cent of farm subsidy. I have never received a small business loan, or assistance from Export Development Canada. Not every government program is of benefit to every Canadian. Live with it.
If you want something to complain about how about the 650 million (ish) received in subsidies by private, for profit networks last year?
“If you want something to complain about how about the 650 million (ish) received in subsidies by private, for profit networks last year?”
That isn’t right, either. Private broadcasters should not receive ANY government subsidies.
“I’ve said this before and (in case you couldn’t tell I’m going to say it again) – I firmly believe if it actually came to a popular vote that the CBC would receive more money, not less and would not be privatized.”
Don’t hold your breath, Justin. Of course you would feel this way – you are affiliated with Public Broadcasting, formed after the CBC lockout. A popular vote would shock you – The average Canadian does not watch the CBC programming, nor do they watch the CBC news and resent having to fork out hard earned money for a state-run broadcaster that delivers programming that is inferior and many times, un-factual. (Remember “The Valour and the Horror?)
Privatize this behemoth, make it pay-per view or turn it into an “American-style” public broadcaster, dependent on a greatly reduced government subsidy along with public contributions. All options would force the CBC to become competitive in the real world and drop their left-wing love affair.
In this age of satellite -both Canadian and US that are available to Canadians, the CBC is irrelevant along with other networks, as we have wide array of choices – US/foreign movies, news and television shows. Gone are the days of the 4 channel universe, where, often, CBC was the only channel available.
If the CBC is so wanted by the Canadian public, as the CBC supporters often say, then these veiwers who support it will then contribute their own money through donations and fund drives to keep it going. The fact that this would never happen demonstrates how little interest people have in the CBC, despite what the union employees have to say.
I am a Canadian citizen, and I support the continuance of the CBC as a Crown Corporation. It is one of our national strengths, and I will not see it tossed aside as politically intolerable or inconvenient. Those who demand its “PBS”-ification, privatisation or shutdown are demanding the one thing that no other nation on this planet would dare do with such services of their own as they currently operate.
No, thank you. I find those three proposed alternatives to the current arrangement undesirable in extremis.
Dear Laine:
Not all conservatives hate the CBC. I am fairly non-partisan, but I would say I lean a little conservative. I’m a political studies graduate and would like to think I have a realist view of the world.
Thanks for deciding my political position for me.
Love, An avid CBC fan.
Well, it sounds like you’ll have your chance in the new year to express your views, but I guarantee you’re in the minority. I have a letter from Bev Oda (Conservative Heritage Minister) saying essentially that the CBC will be around as the national public broadcaster for a long time to come.
So it’s really just a matter of what form it will take we’re talking about. I don’t think that any current political party would actually try to kill the CBC so unless you can manage to get someone in to the right of Harper then I’ll look forward to your dissapointment next year.
Ann-Marie,
No true conservative “loves” the CBC because he never sees his viewpoint fairly represented there. That you are satisfied with the product means you are to the left of centre. Presumably you were also satisfied with a one-sided view in your political studies. If you got out of the left wing dominated media bubble, and I admit, that takes quite a bit of work, then you would recognize that you have nothing in common with even a moderate conservative who neither watches the CBC nor wishes it to be publicly funded.
As for the gentleman who speaks of government programs for “rural” areas etc. with not everyone benefitting from every program. There’s no comparison. The government program for rural areas is designated as such. As a city dweller, I don’t benefit and don’t expect to benefit. You are admitting that our nationally funded broadcaster is set up to cater to only left wing taxpayers and because you’re one of them, you say “Lump it” to the rest of us. Well, the pretence is that it is a NATIONAL not left wing broadcaster. I have a right to expect service from that broadcaster for my tax money, i.e. fair and balanced reporting and am not receiving it. This is discrimination. If the situation were reversed, liberals would have already filed a suit under the Charter.
Again, for all the fervent fans of the CBC, what is your problem with paying for it yourselves, since you are such a huge majority and all? Do you only feel comfortable receiving things from the middleman hand of government, or drafting others to subsidize your point of view? (another of the many tip-offs that one might not be conservative, Ann-Marie).
Pfft you know as well as anyone else Laine that Canada is a Liberal country. Even the Conservatives are Liberal. I don’t think this proves that my fundamental political views are “leftist”. I would say that my political beliefs are indeed Conservative in the true sense of the word. And Conservatism in the true sense is closer to Socialism than it is to liberalism. That is because there is a recognition that this is a society and we should look out for one another rather than all individual rights.
Would you like some sources? I could supply some from any encyclopedia or text.
Also: You may want to check out your observational skills. You spelled my name incorrectly.
The CBC is by no means perfect, BUT the CBC is also NOT just a venue for political opinion.
Holy Cow!
The CBC offers entertainment, arts, sports, etc, not just the News.
I would also like to re-iterate that the CBC does not receive as much tax payers dollars as people think.
Having worked on a variety of programming for the CBC, I am aware that it has its own internal issues that it needs to work out just like ANY corporation either privatized or not, just like ANY broadcasting company.
But again, the CBC is there to provide a support system to documentaries, sports, arts and entertainment for Canadian citizens by Canadian citizens. This is important!!! Its not just about news and Conservative versus Liberal opinion. There is more to our country, and our culture.
It truly is one of the only venues that has a mandate to support our own homegrown talent so to speak and has (had) reasonable means to do so, Cutbacks has made tons of programming suffer. I can cite “Opening NIght” as an example, which will be cancelled after this season, due to money. This was THE only program I can think of that supported making programs related to dance & music and similar arts.
Broadcasters like CTV as an example, spend tons of money to buy Amercian programming. So a Canadian company, is spending tons of money in the U.S, which supports huge U.S. corporations that have tons of money (I’m thinking of the CSI tv series as example), instead of putting back this money into Canada. I’m not saying that it doesn’t produce any Canadian programming at all, some of it good, some bad, but it also controls what it produces in Canada, based on whether it can make money or not. That is the bottom line for anything that is privitized.
Also, the CBC is not just a Television network, it is also RADIO! and huge part of RADIO across Canada.
If you are angry that the CBC is more leftist, or doesn’t represent Conservative opinions and views enough, then tell them. That is what a (partly) goverment institution is for!
You would not be able to express such things as easily to CTV or Global, because they are controlled by what makes money, if your opinion doesn’t make money, then they don’t care (obviously I am simplifying this issue to the basics, but in essence this is what I believe).
(one side note I should mention — there is such a thing as the Canadian Television Fund part of Telefilm Canada which is a government fund created to help produce Canadian programming. Tax payers dollars go to this. Private broadcasters benefit from this, such as CTV and Global).
I don’t personally believe that the CBC is “Left Wing” or “Liberal” only, but certainly those who are Conservative supporters have the right to express their opinions, and I think the CBC recognizes freedom of expression for all Canadian citizens.
Again, to re-iterate as well, the CBC does not receive as much tax payers dollars as we may think.
Well said eb!
I prefer CBC Newsworld to CNN because they take the time to interview a variety of people and go in-depth on any given subject. CNN – which is funded through ad-revenue – is much more sensational. They need to hook you with blood and guts and will run the same 30-second clip over and over again to keep as many viewers as possible watching until the next commercial. The one advantage of a public news channel is that everything is not presented as a circus to attract the widest possible audience.
On the other hand, I think that the CBC main channel needs some work. Why are there so many children’s programs on during the day? Why are there not more Canadian movies or documentaries during prime time? And on and on..
But for the people who prefer FOX: keep in mind that the content of your news channel can be dictated by the need for ad-revenue more easily than it can be influenced by a stable source of funding – even from the government.