Impact of cuts on the CBC

Dec 28, 2011

Further cuts would be to the bone and make it impossible for the CBC to effectively fulfill its mandate, leaving our national broadcaster open to increased criticism that it's wasting taxpayer money, unfairly competing with private broadcasters for advertising dollars and calls for dismantling. There is no more room for efficiency; every dollar has to come out of programming - off the air, off the screen.

The impact would be devastating:

It would be impossible to implement CBC's recently rolled-out strategy to add new local radio stations and enhance regional services in locations such as the Kamloops, Waterloo and London regions. Instead local and regional services would have to be consolidated because it costs more to offer something in many places than to centralize in one or two locations.

CBC Television has become less Canadian in recent years, primarily for economic reasons. A substantial cut would make it harder or impossible for CBC-TV to drop its dependence on US game shows.

CBC has been moving away from cost-intensive programming such as full-edition documentaries (for example The Fifth Estate) towards cheaper programming such as reality shows (Dragon's Den, Battle of the Blades). Further cuts would build inexorable pressure to move to more cheap shows.

Still more repeats on both Radio and Television, shorter seasons, fewer original episodes.

No chance of CBC getting back into serious cultural programming, on either Radio or TV because it is costly to produce and does not attract the mass audiences needed to drive ad sales.

Axing Radio Two.

Even less of the more expensive kinds of journalism, e.g., original investigative pieces, foreign correspondents. More dumbing down of the news.

Turning the CBC into a Toronto Broadcasting Corporation!

Thomas J Tassé — Feb 17, 2012 - 03:14 pm MT

CBC is ESSENTIAL to continue to connect Canadians from coast to coast. We need to continue to support and increase funding for the CBC to create more Canadian content.

Shelagh Dodd — Feb 16, 2012 - 03:56 pm MT

The funding for CBC must be maintained (or increased). CBC unites Canadians across this large country, by providing programming that increases our understanding and appreciation of all regions of Canada. I also greatly appreciate the in-depth and unbiased reporting on topics that influence our lives. - - Hmm, perhaps this why the current government is anxious to cut the funding!

Lise Carbonneau — Feb 07, 2012 - 03:20 pm MT

Montreal, Quebec Wake up Canadians, don't let that Conservative Party, extreme right thinkers to change the face of Canada. We absolutely need you CBC, you are part of our roots, our values. We need you to inform us about our culture, about the good and the bad doings in our Parliament. Those dirty conservative MP,s are so afraid to show their real intentions that they do not want to have on their way medias that cannot be influenced. Look at the way they treat the medias and us, Canadians, when they continually refused to comment about their wrongdoings. If they succeed with those cuts to CBC, it will be the beginning of the end with our identity as Canadians. For once, we, Canadians from all the provinces, should work along together against that stupidity. Be proud to be CANADIANS......

Anonymous — Feb 06, 2012 - 10:37 am MT

We don't have that is Canadian. We should definitely keep CBC. It is important for all of us, especially our children and grandchildren - our future. It is not tainted with an American influence.

Bob Scott. Petrolia ON — Feb 05, 2012 - 05:31 pm MT

While driving in my car I often reach the limit of CBC radio range in the under powered radio in my car. Sometimes I even change to American private radio with the sceaming with feigned excitement of the used car salemen. Spare me having to give up listening to car radio. PLEASE Steph

Maxiview — Feb 05, 2012 - 01:09 pm MT

Harper government is eroding our Democracy. The" terrible majority" is taking away our freedom of choice, and controlling the media. This is a deliberate political tactic; overspending into deficit, takeing away funding and supporting their own ideology. CBC is part of our history, representing our identity in Canadian content. Support CBC!

Anonymous — Feb 05, 2012 - 08:16 am MT

I watch CBC news every single day and it is the best news station we have. We need to be informed and they seem to be the only indepth news station around with Evan S.,Mansbridge along with many many others.Seems like the Harper government wants to stifle our information.

Gord — Feb 05, 2012 - 12:39 am MT

Harper is an oil person.He lives and breaths oil. He does not understand the things that make life good. He must be stopped.

John McConnell Saskatoon — Feb 04, 2012 - 08:15 pm MT

Accurate information and quality programming is the life blood of an democratic society. That's what we get from the CBC. The CBC informs and adds to our knowledge and understanding. It reaches Canadians in all the regions of this great country. Considering how the current federal government allocates and spends our tax dollars the annual cost of the CBC per tax payer is actually only pennies per day - a very minor cost considering the very high quality programming in News, Public affairs, in the Arts and Culture. John McConnell Saskatoon.

Anonymous — Feb 04, 2012 - 05:52 pm MT

I would like to lend my support to all these excellent comments - The CBC does indeed keep those in the West informed of what is happening in the East and vice versa. Without it there is no reason to own a radio. I would wish that they had the funds now to fulfill their mandate to provide an opportunity and encourage those Canadians who want to act, sing, play in a symphony or be a journalist. They are the only national organization keeping this country informed, without it, our identity as Canadians would fizzle out and die. We sure can't depend on this government to keep us informed, most of what they do is done behind closed doors! Keep to your promise Mr. Harper, maintain funding and increase it!!

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