FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto – The Finance department might think selling CBC is worth considering, but Conservative Party supporters are split on the idea.  More than half of current Conservative supporters with an opinion disagree, and a strong majority of those people who regard the Conservative Party as their second choice disagree with the idea of selling the CBC.

These findings emerge from a recent national survey conducted by Pollara on behalf of the broadcast watchdog group Friends of Canadians Broadcasting.

Pollara asked:

When he was the Leader of the Opposition, Stephen Harper recommended radical changes to CBC TV and Radio Two: "When you take a look at things like main-English language television and probably to a lesser degree Radio Two, you could there (sic) at putting those on a commercial basis."  To what extent do you agree with the following statements - Privatizing and commercializing the CBC is the right thing to do?

"The policy option of selling CBC is growth limiting for the Conservatives and any prudent politician would reject it," said FRIENDS spokesperson Ian Morrison.

FRIENDS commissioned POLLARA to survey a random sample of 3,361 Canadians 18 year of age or older. Results are considered accurate to +/- 1.69% nineteen times out of twenty. This survey was in the field from April 20 to 24, 2009

Friends of Canadian Broadcasting is an independent watchdog group dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Canadian content on radio and TV.  FRIENDS is non-partisan and is not affiliated with any broadcaster.

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For information: Jim Thompson 613-447-9592

 

Related Documents: 

Jun 1, 2009 — National Post: CBC, VIA Rail considered for auction block: documents by Andrew Mayeda
Documents show Ottawa has flagged several Crown corporations, including the CBC, as "not self-sustaining," and has identified them as entities that could be sold as part of the government's asset review.

May 26, 2009 — Opinion Poll: Canadian Attitudes and Expectations Towards Public Broadcasting
According to a new study from POLLARA, the vast majority of Canadian voters hold the CBC in high regard and believe the public broadcaster is underfunded.