Senator Art Eggleton’s Reponse to Senate Report on the CBC/Radio Canada

(Ottawa, July 20, 2015) Today, Senator Art Eggleton released his minority report entitled “A Plan for a Vibrant and Sustainable CBC/Radio Canada”. The minority report is Senator Eggleton’s response to the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communication’s report on the CBC/Radio Canada. An effort was made to include this perspective in the main report but the majority on the committee wouldn’t allow different views to be included, although this has been done in the past and is a frequent feature in House of Commons reports.

“The study on the CBC was truly a lost opportunity,” said Senator Eggleton. “Some Conservative members spent too much time denouncing the CBC and not enough on a way forward. Canadians want a strong and vibrant public broadcaster. One that entertains and informs us, tells our stories and supports and protects our national and cultural identity,” said Senator Eggleton.

Senator Eggleton is calling for:

• The Government of Canada commit to increasing CBC’s per capita funding to at least $40 which is approximately half of what other industrialized nations spend per capita every year. This should be done incrementally on an annual basis through parliamentary appropriation and/or other funding models;

• The funding should be stable and predictable over 5 year periods and adjusted to inflation;

• Eliminate commercial advertising on all mediums;

• Protect and enhance news and current affairs programming. The CBC should not have a portion of its funding taken away to fund a “super fund” as the committee suggested;

• To create more trust and accountability the Government of Canada should create an arm’s length process or all party-parliamentary process for appointing board members. The selection process should be based on qualifications and experience in the arts and culture, journalism, business and broadcasting fields. Further, the President should have proven expertise in business and the broadcasting industry and be chosen by the Board and not the government.

For a full list of recommendations please refer to the attached report.

“Our public broadcaster is facing significant challenges. A renewed, sustainable path is needed to ensure a healthy CBC,” said Senator Eggleton.

For more information or to book an interview contact:

Paul Faucette
Office of Senator Art Eggleton
613-668-9815 or [email protected]
senatorarteggleton.ca