Letter to CBC Vice-President, Communications re: CBC's regional/local strategy

Mr. William B. Chambers
Vice-President, Communications
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
P.O. Box 3220, Station C
Ottawa, ON
K1Y 1E4

Dear Bill:

Thanks for the welcome news in your January 27th letter that your regional/local strategy represents 100% of the new operating funding that CBC is currently seeking from the federal government.

We trust that your local/regional submission is consistent with the Heritage Committee's instruction that "it is incumbent upon the CBC to ensure that levels of local programming – based on local needs – are delivered to audiences". Generating radio and television network shows outside Toronto and Montreal does not meet this test.

Several members of the Heritage Committee shared our interpretation of President Rabinovitch's November 15th remarks as did a November 16th Ottawa Citizen story which referred to spending "$75 million over the next three years on regional TV programs". We note that this story was not corrected by the CBC.

As well, we copied Rabinovitch on our December 9th letter to Minister Frulla in which we stated that "we are troubled by recent statements to the press by CBC's President Robert Rabinovitch indicating that CBC plans to ask you for additional funding to be allocated 80% for network services and only 20% for regional services". No one from CBC corrected us on that occasion either.

A CBC that pays attention to its Broadcasting Act mandate to serve the special needs of Canada's regions would balance network with grassroots radio and TV programs in news, current affairs, drama, music, variety and amateur sports, presented during peak listening and viewing periods. As well, major gaps in geographic coverage would be addressed and the second-class service provided by affiliated stations would be terminated.

That's the challenge we hope CBC will address.

Yours sincerely,
 
Ian Morrison
Spokesperson

cc: Robert Rabinovitch
     Hon. Liza Frulla, PC, MP
     Prime Minister’s Office

February 4, 2005 - Ottawa Citizen: CBC seeks $80M infusion for local TV news pilot project by Chris Cobb
CBC told the House of Commons Heritage Committee it needs an $80 million funding increase over three years to reinvent local/regional television and radio programming.

February 4, 2005 - CBC News: CBC makes pitch for more money
CBC makes its case for a budget increase before the Commons Heritage Committee, promises increased regional programming and Canadian drama during prime-time hours in return.

February 3, 2005 - Ottawa Citizen: CBC's Rabinovitch backs off request for $100M funding boost by Chris Cobb
CBC maintains President was "misunderstood" when he told reporters in November that CBC would spend the majority of a $100 million funding increase on network rather than local and regional programming.

February 2, 2005 - CBC/Radio Canada: Enhancing Regional Connections: A Local/Regional Strategy
CBC issues long-awaited plan responding to House of Commons Heritage Commitee's June 2003 recommendation that the public broadcaster improve local/regional radio and television service to fulfil its responsibilities under the Broadcasting Act.

February 2, 2005 - Canadian Press: CBC seeks another $75 million to reinstate regional programming
CBC local/regional plans to be unveiled at House of Commons Heritage Committee meeting.