Prime Minister should be first to testify about CBC
November 21, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa – Prime Minister Harper should be the first witness to testify before the Heritage Committee's review of CBC's mandate so he can explain the wildly divergent views he has expressed about CBC, according to Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
The Commons Heritage Committee voted yesterday to launch a review of CBC's mandate.
On May 19, 2004, Stephen Harper was asked by a reporter in Winnipeg to comment on his plans for CBC. Here's what he said then:
"I've suggested that government subsidies in support of CBC's services should be to those things that are not... Do not have commercial alternatives... 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."
Later that year, in a speech to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (the private broadcast lobby) Harper contradicted this when he stated that: "we would seek to reduce CBC's dependence on advertising revenue and its competition with the private sector for these valuable dollars, especially in non-sports programming."
"Stephen Harper's agenda for CBC remains hidden. We hope the Heritage Committee calls the Prime Minister as its first witness to explain his position on the future of CBC," said Friends' spokesperson Ian Morrison.
Even though she urged the government of Paul Martin to undertake a review of CBC's mandate, as Heritage Minister Bev Oda tried and failed to get this proposal through the Harper Cabinet.
Just a few months ago, all Conservative MPs were instructed to vote against a motion in parliament to maintain financial support for public broadcasting in both official languages.
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting is an independent, Canada-wide, non-partisan voluntary organization whose mission is to defend and enhance the quality and quantity of Canadian programming in the Canadian audio-visual system. FRIENDS is not affiliated with any broadcaster or political party.
For information: Jim Thompson 613-447-9592
Ottawa – Prime Minister Harper should be the first witness to testify before the Heritage Committee's review of CBC's mandate so he can explain the wildly divergent views he has expressed about CBC, according to Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
The Commons Heritage Committee voted yesterday to launch a review of CBC's mandate.
On May 19, 2004, Stephen Harper was asked by a reporter in Winnipeg to comment on his plans for CBC. Here's what he said then:
"I've suggested that government subsidies in support of CBC's services should be to those things that are not... Do not have commercial alternatives... 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."
Later that year, in a speech to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (the private broadcast lobby) Harper contradicted this when he stated that: "we would seek to reduce CBC's dependence on advertising revenue and its competition with the private sector for these valuable dollars, especially in non-sports programming."
"Stephen Harper's agenda for CBC remains hidden. We hope the Heritage Committee calls the Prime Minister as its first witness to explain his position on the future of CBC," said Friends' spokesperson Ian Morrison.
Even though she urged the government of Paul Martin to undertake a review of CBC's mandate, as Heritage Minister Bev Oda tried and failed to get this proposal through the Harper Cabinet.
Just a few months ago, all Conservative MPs were instructed to vote against a motion in parliament to maintain financial support for public broadcasting in both official languages.
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting is an independent, Canada-wide, non-partisan voluntary organization whose mission is to defend and enhance the quality and quantity of Canadian programming in the Canadian audio-visual system. FRIENDS is not affiliated with any broadcaster or political party.
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For information: Jim Thompson 613-447-9592
Related Documents:
November 22, 2006 - CBC News: Heritage committee launches review of CBC
FRIENDS says Stephen Harper's agenda for CBC remains hidden and welcomes the House of Commons heritage committee review of the broadcaster's mandate.
November 22, 2006 - Globe & Mail: House committee moves to launch review of CBC by Guy Dixon
The House of Commons heritage committee has passed a motion to begin a review of the CBC - FRIENDS says Prime Minister Stephen Harper should be the first to testify.
November 20, 2006 - Parliament of Canada: Minutes of Proceedings from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
Transcript of the Heritage Committee motion by NDP MP Charlie Angus to undertake a CBC mandate review.
FRIENDS says Stephen Harper's agenda for CBC remains hidden and welcomes the House of Commons heritage committee review of the broadcaster's mandate.
November 22, 2006 - Globe & Mail: House committee moves to launch review of CBC by Guy Dixon
The House of Commons heritage committee has passed a motion to begin a review of the CBC - FRIENDS says Prime Minister Stephen Harper should be the first to testify.
November 20, 2006 - Parliament of Canada: Minutes of Proceedings from the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
Transcript of the Heritage Committee motion by NDP MP Charlie Angus to undertake a CBC mandate review.
