Stephen Harper’s Big CBC Lie:

Before, during and after the May 2011 election, the Conservatives promised to maintain or increase funding to the CBC. At the first opportunity Harper slashed its funding, claiming the CBC had to do its part to reduce the deficit.

This is a deception.

Under Harper's watch CBC funding has been cut 7%, while spending on other government programs has soared 17% both in real terms (adjusted for inflation). By the time Harper's cuts are fully in place three years hence, the gap between spending on CBC and total program spending will be 37%!

The Harper Gap

Please help FRIENDS to hold Harper to account for these destructive cuts, which will be fully on display for all to see and hear just before the next election.

		An unfortunate reality is that many Conservative MPs are secretly hostile to public broadcasting. They usually keep their true feelings under a veil, because they know the CBC is extremely popular with their constituents and other Canadians. But every once in a while, the veil drops - here are some examples.

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* Figures expressed as a percentage of 2006/07 amounts. Percentages based on C$millions adjusted to year 2012 dollars using Statistics Canada Consumer Price Index data (February 2012), and Consumer Price Index inflation projections in Table 2.1 of Economic Action Plan (Federal Budget) 2012. Years reflect Government of Canada fiscal year ending March 31. Total program expenses for 2006/07-2010/11 are as stated in Summary Statements of Transactions published in 2008-2012 Federal Budgets. Total program expenses for 2011/12-2014/15 reflect projections contained in Table 6.4 of Economic Action Plan 2012. Program expenses exclude public debt service. CBC figures for 2006/07-2011/12 reflect Treasury Board Main Estimates for operations, working capital and capital expenditures combined with one-time additional funding, if any, in Supplementary Estimates. CBC figures for 2012/13-2014/15 reflect base funding for 2011/12 contained in Treasury Board Main Estimates, reduced by the amount of annual reductions stated in Table A1.11 of Economic Action Plan 2012, and increased by $60 million in each year to reflect assumption that historical one-time additional funding will be continued. CBC figures do not reflect production fund or tax credit contributions to CBC productions.