Canadian Guild Members Rally to Stop Funding Cuts

Members of the Canada Media Guild protest cuts that are hurting CBC radio, television and online broadcasts.

Carrying signs urging the board of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporations to "say no" to further cuts in funding for public broadcasting, more than 100 Canadian Media Guild members rallied outside the CBC governing board meeting this week in Ottawa.

The CMG, with about 6,000 members, is a local of CWA/SCA Canada.

The governing board had convened to discuss more cuts to the CBC radio, television and online programming. Guild members told the board to not only reverse cuts, but to vote against further cuts and move to a more stable multi-year funding model.

CMG members want the board to reverse the $115 million Deficit Reduction Action Plan (DRAP), reinstate the Local Programming Improvement Fund and increase funding to about half the average of what developed countries invest in their public broadcaster, or $43.50 per capita per year.

"We want to remind CBC board members that they are in charge of a public broadcaster that Canadians value and rely on," said Carmel Smyth, National president for the Canadian Media Guild. "The board must stop the ongoing cuts and push the government to fund CBC adequately."

Rallies have been held across the country, as Canadians call on their elected officials to fully fund CBC/Radio-Canada so it can continue to deliver the radio, television and online services they rely on.

CMG outlined the harmful impact the cuts are causing to the national public broadcaster including: watering down of reporting and coverage; diminishing local programming; damaging a critical cultural incubator; abandoning sports and loss of diversity.

At the Ottawa protest: CMG President Carmel Smyth, CWA Canada President Martin O'Hanlon and Canadian Labour Congress President Hassan Yussuff.

Marc-Philippe Laurin, president of the CMG branch at CBC, said it is time for the CBC board to stand up for CBC/Radio-Canada and demand multi-year stable funding so that the CBC can continue to deliver the radio, television and online services Canadians deserve in communities across the country. "We are asking them to reverse recent cuts, vote against further cuts, and join CMG in asking for funding that helps CBC meet its mandate to Canadians," Laurin said.