Defund CBC
- Thread starter B00Mer
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In late 2023, Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said it was time for the federal government to redefine what the CBC does and how it does it.
A year later — and with a federal election expected sometime this spring — her office is promising the minister will unveil the planned changes to the public broadcaster’s mandate in “due coarse.”
At a Billion$$$+/yr, you don’t wanna rush into something like this.
But with Parliamentary business on hold until late March due to prorogation, and opposition parties champing at the bit to trigger an election, getting any legislative changes to the CBC’s mandate passed may be a long shot. Phew?
(In 2023-2024, CBC/Radio-Canada received $1.44 billion from the federal government and in turn generated $493.5 million in revenue)
The CBC’s mandate is set out in the 1991 Broadcasting Act. It says the public broadcaster should “provide broadcasting services incorporating a wide range of programming that informs, enlightens and entertains.”
“What the statute does is it simply creates or … establishes that this entity exists,” said Monica Auer, executive director of the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications.
In 2021, the Liberal government tasked then-heritage minister Pablo Rodriguez with modernizing CBC/Radio-Canada and updating that decades-old mandate.
“In those 30 years, the internet became a thing … The platforms on which the CBC operates have obviously changed,” Andrews said, citing the addition of online news and the CBC Gem streaming service to the older TV and radio services.
“The mandate needs to be brought into the modern world.”
The Liberals haven’t offered many indications of how they plan to do that. The government opted not to launch a public consultation on the new CBC mandate, saying it had enough feedback from prior proceedings like the broadcasting and telecom review panel that considered a wide range of communications-related questions between 2018 and 2020.
Auer added that “many people have criticized the corporation for the fact that, in many ways, it seems to resemble a publicly-funded commercial private broadcaster. However, that’s the symptom. The cause is inadequate public funding.” (? Holy Shit! Reall
Auer said Canada funds its public broadcasting “very poorly” compared to other countries?
In December, the House of Commons Heritage committee recommended the government “provide a substantial and lasting increase” in its funding for CBC/Radio-Canada, “allowing it to eliminate its paid subscription services and gradually end its reliance on commercial advertising revenues.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for St-Onge said the minister “has worked closely with experts, Canadians and caucus colleagues for many months on possible policy changes for CBC/Radio-Canada. She looks forward to having more to say on the specifics in due course.”
When would have been the appropriate time for the liberals to say pretty much anything about the CBC mandate?
A year later — and with a federal election expected sometime this spring — her office is promising the minister will unveil the planned changes to the public broadcaster’s mandate in “due coarse.”
At a Billion$$$+/yr, you don’t wanna rush into something like this.
But with Parliamentary business on hold until late March due to prorogation, and opposition parties champing at the bit to trigger an election, getting any legislative changes to the CBC’s mandate passed may be a long shot. Phew?
(In 2023-2024, CBC/Radio-Canada received $1.44 billion from the federal government and in turn generated $493.5 million in revenue)
The CBC’s mandate is set out in the 1991 Broadcasting Act. It says the public broadcaster should “provide broadcasting services incorporating a wide range of programming that informs, enlightens and entertains.”
“What the statute does is it simply creates or … establishes that this entity exists,” said Monica Auer, executive director of the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications.
In 2021, the Liberal government tasked then-heritage minister Pablo Rodriguez with modernizing CBC/Radio-Canada and updating that decades-old mandate.
“In those 30 years, the internet became a thing … The platforms on which the CBC operates have obviously changed,” Andrews said, citing the addition of online news and the CBC Gem streaming service to the older TV and radio services.
“The mandate needs to be brought into the modern world.”
The Liberals haven’t offered many indications of how they plan to do that. The government opted not to launch a public consultation on the new CBC mandate, saying it had enough feedback from prior proceedings like the broadcasting and telecom review panel that considered a wide range of communications-related questions between 2018 and 2020.
Auer added that “many people have criticized the corporation for the fact that, in many ways, it seems to resemble a publicly-funded commercial private broadcaster. However, that’s the symptom. The cause is inadequate public funding.” (? Holy Shit! Reall
Auer said Canada funds its public broadcasting “very poorly” compared to other countries?
In December, the House of Commons Heritage committee recommended the government “provide a substantial and lasting increase” in its funding for CBC/Radio-Canada, “allowing it to eliminate its paid subscription services and gradually end its reliance on commercial advertising revenues.”
In a statement, a spokesperson for St-Onge said the minister “has worked closely with experts, Canadians and caucus colleagues for many months on possible policy changes for CBC/Radio-Canada. She looks forward to having more to say on the specifics in due course.”
With Conservatives promising to 'defund,' could the next election kill the CBC? — CityNews Kitchener
OTTAWA — In late 2023, Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge said it was time for the federal government to redefine what the CBC does and how it does it.
apple.news
Where in the world is Travis Dhanraj? CBC isn't saying
The once rising star has been yanked off the air with zero explanation.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Feb 18, 2025 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 3 minute read
Travis Dhanraj.
Travis Dhanraj.
The show used to be called Canada Tonight with Travis Dhanraj, now it’s just called Canada Tonight. Adding to a sense of mystery is that Dhanraj is nowhere to be seen and neither he nor CBC will respond to questions about his status at the state broadcaster.
A request for comment only stated that they decided to go in a different direction and launched a new show this week based around Ian Hanomansing. That doesn’t exactly say what has happened to their former star and Dhanraj himself has not answered requests for comment.
While neither side is commenting on Dhanraj’s whereabouts, I can confirm that he is currently on leave from CBC and has hired employment lawyer Kathryn Marshall. In a statement, Marshall confirmed that she is representing Dhanraj and said he has stepped away due to systemic issues at CBC.
According to Marshall, CBC isn’t very welcoming of diversity, at least not when it comes to certain political perspectives.
“Throughout his tenure, Mr. Dhanraj has fought to break down barriers in order to foster diversity of thought, inclusion of all political perspectives, and equity — principles he believes are essential for improving CBC’s workplace culture and content,” Marshall said.
“As a journalist, he is deeply committed to the belief that Canadians deserve to have faith in the public broadcaster they fund, and he does not take that responsibility lightly.”
Dhanraj, who worked for CBC covering Parliament Hill, as a correspondent for Marketplace, was key to major productions such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. In January 2024, he launched the show that until this January bore his name and tried a different take from what normally goes on at CBC.
Dhanraj actually welcomed debate, and true conservative viewpoints, on CBC.
No one was more shocked than I was to see myself on CBC as a panelist debating issues vigorously and openly. In all my years of covering politics in this country, I think I had been on CBC television exactly once before Dhanraj launched his show.
It’s not that they don’t have journalists from other outlets on, they do it all the time, but CBC isn’t big into diversity of opinion so everyone comes in a certain mold.
Dhanraj had me share the couch with people like Toronto Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn to debate issues. He had Gurratan Singh, a former NDP MPP in Ontario and brother of Jagmeet Singh, mix it up with me on a variety of issues.
This was real debate, but it didn’t seem like CBC wanted that because that segment was cancelled from the show early on. The segments where I was present were certainly controversial based on the messages I received, but they were watched.
CBC has long had a problem with conservative-leaning Canadians who don’t feel the state broadcaster adequately reflects the country. The stranglehold that people who live in certain neighbourhoods, with certain views in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal have on CBC is clear — it is their worldview that you see on CBC.
Dhanraj was trying to change that and it seems the folks inside CBC rejected the idea that CBC should reflect all of Canada.
It likely didn’t help his own cause that Dhanraj interviewed former CBC anchor Peter Mansbridge, who expressed the view that CBC was failing to meet its mandate to Canadians. It also didn’t help his case that he stated plainly on air that CBC president Catherine Tait had declined his request for an interview on the issue of bonuses going to executives at a time when CBC was eliminating jobs.
But then again, that’s the job, isn’t it? Dhanraj did what he should have done, now he’s off the air.
This is what the $1.5 billion that CBC gets from taxpayers buys you, a news network with a strong strain of ideological purity.
The once rising star has been yanked off the air with zero explanation.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Feb 18, 2025 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 3 minute read
Travis Dhanraj.
Travis Dhanraj.
The show used to be called Canada Tonight with Travis Dhanraj, now it’s just called Canada Tonight. Adding to a sense of mystery is that Dhanraj is nowhere to be seen and neither he nor CBC will respond to questions about his status at the state broadcaster.
A request for comment only stated that they decided to go in a different direction and launched a new show this week based around Ian Hanomansing. That doesn’t exactly say what has happened to their former star and Dhanraj himself has not answered requests for comment.
While neither side is commenting on Dhanraj’s whereabouts, I can confirm that he is currently on leave from CBC and has hired employment lawyer Kathryn Marshall. In a statement, Marshall confirmed that she is representing Dhanraj and said he has stepped away due to systemic issues at CBC.
According to Marshall, CBC isn’t very welcoming of diversity, at least not when it comes to certain political perspectives.
“Throughout his tenure, Mr. Dhanraj has fought to break down barriers in order to foster diversity of thought, inclusion of all political perspectives, and equity — principles he believes are essential for improving CBC’s workplace culture and content,” Marshall said.
“As a journalist, he is deeply committed to the belief that Canadians deserve to have faith in the public broadcaster they fund, and he does not take that responsibility lightly.”
Dhanraj, who worked for CBC covering Parliament Hill, as a correspondent for Marketplace, was key to major productions such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. In January 2024, he launched the show that until this January bore his name and tried a different take from what normally goes on at CBC.
Dhanraj actually welcomed debate, and true conservative viewpoints, on CBC.
No one was more shocked than I was to see myself on CBC as a panelist debating issues vigorously and openly. In all my years of covering politics in this country, I think I had been on CBC television exactly once before Dhanraj launched his show.
It’s not that they don’t have journalists from other outlets on, they do it all the time, but CBC isn’t big into diversity of opinion so everyone comes in a certain mold.
Dhanraj had me share the couch with people like Toronto Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn to debate issues. He had Gurratan Singh, a former NDP MPP in Ontario and brother of Jagmeet Singh, mix it up with me on a variety of issues.
This was real debate, but it didn’t seem like CBC wanted that because that segment was cancelled from the show early on. The segments where I was present were certainly controversial based on the messages I received, but they were watched.
CBC has long had a problem with conservative-leaning Canadians who don’t feel the state broadcaster adequately reflects the country. The stranglehold that people who live in certain neighbourhoods, with certain views in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal have on CBC is clear — it is their worldview that you see on CBC.
Dhanraj was trying to change that and it seems the folks inside CBC rejected the idea that CBC should reflect all of Canada.
It likely didn’t help his own cause that Dhanraj interviewed former CBC anchor Peter Mansbridge, who expressed the view that CBC was failing to meet its mandate to Canadians. It also didn’t help his case that he stated plainly on air that CBC president Catherine Tait had declined his request for an interview on the issue of bonuses going to executives at a time when CBC was eliminating jobs.
But then again, that’s the job, isn’t it? Dhanraj did what he should have done, now he’s off the air.
This is what the $1.5 billion that CBC gets from taxpayers buys you, a news network with a strong strain of ideological purity.
LILLEY: Where in the world is Travis Dhanraj? CBC isn't saying
Where is Travis Dhanraj? The CBC isn't saying.
torontosun.com
Outgoing Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge is proposing that the CBC’s public funding almost double, in a bid to bolster the public broadcaster and end its reliance on advertising.
She’s on her way out the door, so is this another one of those liberal parting gifts?
At a press conference, Ms. St-Onge announced her intention to step down at the forthcoming election to spend more time with her family, but said she wanted to fulfill a commitment to produce a fresh mandate for the CBC.
The government had promised during the past election to update the CBC’s mandate, which was last drawn up in 1991. The new mandate was derailed by the proroguing of Parliament…
…and a new funding formula was also not approved by cabinet.
Ms. St-Onge’s draft mandate, drawn up over several months by her department, proposes that over a few years, CBC and Radio-Canada’s funding should increase to $62 per capita, the average level in the G7, from about $34 per capita…but not all the “per capita’s” pay taxes…so those that do will pick up the tab for those that don’t, etc…
She said that without predictable and stable funding like it’s had since 1936, the public broadcaster may need to rely more on advertising to maintain its current services, which could dilute its distinctive character.
Heritage Minister proposes almost doubling public CBC funding, ending advertising and subscriptions — The Globe and Mail
Pascale St-Onge calls for new mandate for the public broadcaster to legally enshrine funding on a per capita basis
apple.news
At a press conference, Ms. St-Onge announced her intention to step down at the forthcoming election to spend more time with her family, but said she wanted to fulfill a commitment to produce a fresh mandate for the CBC.
The government had promised during the past election to update the CBC’s mandate, which was last drawn up in 1991. The new mandate was derailed by the proroguing of Parliament…
…and a new funding formula was also not approved by cabinet.
Ms. St-Onge’s draft mandate, drawn up over several months by her department, proposes that over a few years, CBC and Radio-Canada’s funding should increase to $62 per capita, the average level in the G7, from about $34 per capita…but not all the “per capita’s” pay taxes…so those that do will pick up the tab for those that don’t, etc…
She said that without predictable and stable funding like it’s had since 1936, the public broadcaster may need to rely more on advertising to maintain its current services, which could dilute its distinctive character.
Its on my cable bill. What more do they need? Im okay with tax credits If they produced more highgrade TV content like Schitts Creek or Kim of Kensingston or at least had Ryan and Vanna, Judge Judy et to draw fat chicks and unemployed stoners theyd get somewhere.Outgoing Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge is proposing that the CBC’s public funding almost double, in a bid to bolster the public broadcaster and end its reliance on advertising.
She’s on her way out the door, so is this another one of those liberal parting gifts?Heritage Minister proposes almost doubling public CBC funding, ending advertising and subscriptions — The Globe and Mail
Pascale St-Onge calls for new mandate for the public broadcaster to legally enshrine funding on a per capita basisapple.news
View attachment 27635
At a press conference, Ms. St-Onge announced her intention to step down at the forthcoming election to spend more time with her family, but said she wanted to fulfill a commitment to produce a fresh mandate for the CBC.
The government had promised during the past election to update the CBC’s mandate, which was last drawn up in 1991. The new mandate was derailed by the proroguing of Parliament…
View attachment 27636
…and a new funding formula was also not approved by cabinet.
View attachment 27637
Ms. St-Onge’s draft mandate, drawn up over several months by her department, proposes that over a few years, CBC and Radio-Canada’s funding should increase to $62 per capita, the average level in the G7, from about $34 per capita…but not all the “per capita’s” pay taxes…so those that do will pick up the tab for those that don’t, etc…
She said that without predictable and stable funding like it’s had since 1936, the public broadcaster may need to rely more on advertising to maintain its current services, which could dilute its distinctive character.
Have you watched Schitts Creek?
Murdock Mysteries Halifax? Its hip with the Haligonians. Yeah Haligonians... there's a new one for ya.
Check it out. Its really good. Won a schitt lode of emmys.
From your lips to God's ears. If people want a "public" broadcaster, they can pay for it based on subscriptions. That way, everyone wins!!
Little Mosque on the Prairie. Land and Sea, Beachcombers and so many more.
The real problem is on the compensation end and the countless reasons why they need to pay themselves so lavishly. Cap it off at $100,000 and let those that want to be involved be involved. The rest can go build a better mouse trap and let us know when that happens.
I watched a few of these episodes in the early 70s. That’s like 50 years ago.
On Thursday morning, the “outgoing” federal heritage minister, Pascale St-Onge, gave forth the outlines of her plan to reform the CBC and adapt it to the future. You might think such an exercise would involve asking questions about the CBC’s prior performance, or whether a state broadcaster is really necessary in the 21st century, or exactly what parts of it are essential.
As was obvious from the first days of the Great Rethink, St-Onge and her advisory committee seem to have bothered with little of that, or none: they proceed from the explicit premise that there can be no Canada without the CBC, and that the institution has only proven to become more valuable in every single week of the 5,000 or so that have passed since its creation.
Colby Cosh: A CBC head tax — the next big Liberal idea that no one asked for — National Post
Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge would nearly double the broadcaster's federal funding under her proposed model
apple.news
As was obvious from the first days of the Great Rethink, St-Onge and her advisory committee seem to have bothered with little of that, or none: they proceed from the explicit premise that there can be no Canada without the CBC, and that the institution has only proven to become more valuable in every single week of the 5,000 or so that have passed since its creation.
Fired for presenting a fact?Where in the world is Travis Dhanraj? CBC isn't saying
The once rising star has been yanked off the air with zero explanation.
Author of the article:Brian Lilley
Published Feb 18, 2025 • Last updated 9 hours ago • 3 minute read
Travis Dhanraj.
Travis Dhanraj.
The show used to be called Canada Tonight with Travis Dhanraj, now it’s just called Canada Tonight. Adding to a sense of mystery is that Dhanraj is nowhere to be seen and neither he nor CBC will respond to questions about his status at the state broadcaster.
A request for comment only stated that they decided to go in a different direction and launched a new show this week based around Ian Hanomansing. That doesn’t exactly say what has happened to their former star and Dhanraj himself has not answered requests for comment.
While neither side is commenting on Dhanraj’s whereabouts, I can confirm that he is currently on leave from CBC and has hired employment lawyer Kathryn Marshall. In a statement, Marshall confirmed that she is representing Dhanraj and said he has stepped away due to systemic issues at CBC.
According to Marshall, CBC isn’t very welcoming of diversity, at least not when it comes to certain political perspectives.
“Throughout his tenure, Mr. Dhanraj has fought to break down barriers in order to foster diversity of thought, inclusion of all political perspectives, and equity — principles he believes are essential for improving CBC’s workplace culture and content,” Marshall said.
“As a journalist, he is deeply committed to the belief that Canadians deserve to have faith in the public broadcaster they fund, and he does not take that responsibility lightly.”
Dhanraj, who worked for CBC covering Parliament Hill, as a correspondent for Marketplace, was key to major productions such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. In January 2024, he launched the show that until this January bore his name and tried a different take from what normally goes on at CBC.
Dhanraj actually welcomed debate, and true conservative viewpoints, on CBC.
No one was more shocked than I was to see myself on CBC as a panelist debating issues vigorously and openly. In all my years of covering politics in this country, I think I had been on CBC television exactly once before Dhanraj launched his show.
It’s not that they don’t have journalists from other outlets on, they do it all the time, but CBC isn’t big into diversity of opinion so everyone comes in a certain mold.
Dhanraj had me share the couch with people like Toronto Star columnist Martin Regg Cohn to debate issues. He had Gurratan Singh, a former NDP MPP in Ontario and brother of Jagmeet Singh, mix it up with me on a variety of issues.
This was real debate, but it didn’t seem like CBC wanted that because that segment was cancelled from the show early on. The segments where I was present were certainly controversial based on the messages I received, but they were watched.
CBC has long had a problem with conservative-leaning Canadians who don’t feel the state broadcaster adequately reflects the country. The stranglehold that people who live in certain neighbourhoods, with certain views in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal have on CBC is clear — it is their worldview that you see on CBC.
Dhanraj was trying to change that and it seems the folks inside CBC rejected the idea that CBC should reflect all of Canada.
It likely didn’t help his own cause that Dhanraj interviewed former CBC anchor Peter Mansbridge, who expressed the view that CBC was failing to meet its mandate to Canadians. It also didn’t help his case that he stated plainly on air that CBC president Catherine Tait had declined his request for an interview on the issue of bonuses going to executives at a time when CBC was eliminating jobs.
But then again, that’s the job, isn’t it? Dhanraj did what he should have done, now he’s off the air.
This is what the $1.5 billion that CBC gets from taxpayers buys you, a news network with a strong strain of ideological purity.
LILLEY: Where in the world is Travis Dhanraj? CBC isn't saying
Where is Travis Dhanraj? The CBC isn't saying.torontosun.com
CBC mandate should be to present facts, not liberal propaganda.