CBC executives, managers were paid almost $15M in bonuses: Report
Report seems to contradict testimony of broadcaster's president/CEO at Commons committee
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Published May 29, 2024 • Last updated 1 day ago • 1 minute read
Federal documents show that CBC executives and managers in the 2023-24 fiscal year ending March 31 gave themselves $14.9 million in bonuses, according to Blacklock’s Reporter.
All 46 network executives received bonuses worth $3,020,021, said an inquiry of ministry tabled in the House of Commons, and another 1,140 managers (99% of those on the payroll) also received bonuses worth $11,883,734.
Figures were disclosed at the request of Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer.
“With regard to bonuses paid out at Crown corporations in the 2023-24 fiscal year, how many and what percentage of officials at or above the executive level received bonuses?” Scheer said.
Those records seem to contradict testimony by CBC president and CEO Catherine Tait to the heritage committee on May 7, when she repeatedly claimed that she had no idea whether or not bonuses were paid.
“Are you going to be awarded a bonus for 2023?” asked Conservative MP Rachael Thomas.
“After internal deliberations with the board of directors at our June board meeting, once we’ve had a chance to present the audited financial statements, there will be a discussion,” replied Tait.
“I am referring to fiscal year 2023, which ended in March 2024,” said Thomas.
“We have not issued any performance pay,” replied Tait.
Tait told the heritage committee that the public broadcaster was facing financial hardship and was cutting 346 jobs, including 205 vacant positions and 141 layoffs.
“We are not out of the woods,” Tait testified.
Tait is paid $497,000 annually with her CEO bonus calculated at an average of 20% extra or about $100,000 annually.
The inquiry document made no mention of Tait’s testimony.
Overall subsidies for the CBC this year are worth a record $1.38 billion.
Federal documents show that CBC executives and managers in the 2023-24 fiscal year ending March 31 gave themselves $14.9 million in bonuses.
torontosun.com