SIMS: The CBC is a government monster gobbling up tax dollars

The_Foxer

House Member
Aug 9, 2022
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Documents obtained by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation show the CBC spent more than $51 million in bonuses and pay raises during the years 2020 and 2021.

In unrelated news, CBC went cap in hand to the government and came back with a 10-gallon hat full of cash. The federal fiscal update delivered another “$42 million to help CBC recover from the pandemic,” according to the National Post. In Budget 2021, the Trudeau government gave the CBC an extra $21 million to “ensure its stability during the pandemic.” This extra money is on top of the annual funding the corporation already gets from government.

Yeah - it's about time i think. Good to see this kind of stuff getting out there.
 
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Ron in Regina

"Voice of the West" Party
Apr 9, 2008
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From the link in the opening post. Others may have different “takeaways” from it, but this is how I read it:

The CBC’s original mandate in the 1930s was to air Canadian news and entertainment over the radio waves. Comedy and drama shows were broadcast to compete with the popular programming emanating from powerhouses such as CBS Radio in New York. It also told farmers the weather and aired Hockey Night in Canada.

Taxpayers pay about $1.2 billion per yearfor the CBC. Catherine Tait is the president and CEOof the CBC. She is paid a salary of between $422,600 and $497,100 per yearand is entitled to a performance bonus of up to 28%.

For perspective through budgets approved by Parliament, the prime minister of Canada total annual compensation of CA$357,800 (consisting of an MP's salary of CA$178,900 and the prime minister's salary of CA$178,900).

According to the journalism website Blacklocks Reporter, which is not funded by the government, the total audience for the CBC’s 6 p.m. local TV newscasts at 27 stations was 319,000 people. That means less than 1% of Canadians watch the supper hour newscast.

Here’s a look at the CBC mindset from a former employee within the last year:
When the CBC says it is essential because it provides Indigenous languages services, it’s worth double checking the facts.

The CBC spent $18.3 million on its Indigenous language television, radio and online services from April 1, 2018, to March 31, 2021. Over that same period of time, it spent more than $21 million on the salaries and benefits for its eight senior executives.
 

The_Foxer

House Member
Aug 9, 2022
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but this is how I read it:
Well exactly. In the day it had a real purpose and gave canadians something they really wanted that the free market just wasn't going to deliver yet.

Today - with internet and satellite etc people even in remote communities have a huge number of choices for news and information and such. There's just zero need for the CBC.

But but but - what about canadian programming? Gov'ts can directly fund canadian content if they want, and lets face it only the people the top brass at the cbc liked got any money anyway.

But but but - what about native language and programming? - already addressed by Ron.

But but but - I Don't WANT to see it go!! Fine, pay for it. The CBC can still exist if it's defunded - it just needs other revenues. If YOU want it, then YOU pay for it.

There is no purpose for it anymore.
 
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IdRatherBeSkiing

Satelitte Radio Addict
May 28, 2007
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Toronto, ON
The CRTC already mandates a percentage of Canadian Content on all networks and Canadian channels. And the cable companies have to balance the amount of American networks they offer with Canadian ones. So the need for the CBC is pretty much now non-existent.
 
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petros

The Central Scrutinizer
Nov 21, 2008
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CBC North, Radio One and Two can stay. The rest can go along with all 75 versions of Green Gables. Why they killed Kim of Kensington is beyond me.