More

CBC Cuts: Conservative MPs' Petitions Call For End Of Government Funding Or Sale As Salary Info Released

Cbc Salaries

The Huffington Post Canada   First Posted: 01/31/2012 7:22 pm Updated: 01/31/2012 7:22 pm

Amazing
 Inspiring
 Funny
 Scary
 Hot
 Crazy
 Important
 Weird

Go big or go home. That's the theory behind petitions presented by Conservative MPs calling for either the end of government funding for the CBC or the sale of the broadcaster.

Conservative MPs Colin Carrie and Brian Jean have called for the government to stop giving public funding to the CBC, while Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant has asked for its sale, according to to iPolitics.

"Government of Canada funds the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to the sum of $1.1 billion per annum, that vast amount of Government of Canada funding gives the CBC an unfair advantage over its private sector competitor," Jean said, according to Canoe. "(We) call upon Parliament to end public funding of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation."

Meanwhile, it was revealed Monday that about 730 CBC employees are paid more than $100,000 a year.

The salary info was released by Heritage Minister James Moore in response to order paper questions submitted by Conservative MP Brent Rathgeber. Under parliamentary rules, the government is obligated to give a response in the House to such requests within 45 days.

Rathegeber had asked for the salary info for top CBC personalities, Peter Mansbridge and George Stroumboulopoulos, but Moore declined to provide those details, citing privacy laws.

When Rathegeber initially filed his request, NDP MP Tyrone Benskin responded by filing order paper questions requesting details about the Prime Minister's Office. The questions used identical wording to Rathegeber's request so that there would be no doubt about what prompted them.

However, Treasury Board President Tony Clement has refused to provide the same info regarding the PMO that Moore has released on the CBC, according to The Ottawa Citizen's Glen McGregor. Clement cited the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act in arguing that exact salaries cannot be released.

In September, HuffPost reported that the Conservative government is planning to cut 10 per cent from CBC spending. We'll have to wait until the budget to find out if the Tories will take the advice of their own MPs and cut deeper.

The 7 Storylines To Watch As MPs Get Back To Work
1  of  9
PLAY
FULLSCREEN
ZOOM
SHARE THIS SLIDE 
Here's a look at some of the storylines and hot-button issues expected to set the tone for Parliament over the coming months. (CP)

With files from CBC
MORE SLIDESHOWS NEXT >   |   < PREV
FOLLOW HUFFPOST CANADA POLITICS

Go big or go home. That's the theory behind petitions presented by Conservative MPs calling for either the end of government funding for the CBC or the sale of the broadcaster. Conservative MPs Col...
Go big or go home. That's the theory behind petitions presented by Conservative MPs calling for either the end of government funding for the CBC or the sale of the broadcaster. Conservative MPs Col...
Related News On Huffington Post:
 

 
 
  • Comments
  • 88
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Post Comment Preview Comment
To reply to a Comment: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to.
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
Page: 1 2  Next ›  Last »  (2 total)
Paul79
4 Fans
09:14 PM on 11/05/2012
we don't need the CBC if anyone wants to spread any propaganda then it shouldn't get government money.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
BigLittle
36 Fans
08:59 PM on 02/03/2012
Exactly the same stale, self-serving arguments private b'casters have made since the 1920s, and there is always some grifter in the House to carry their chamber pot for them.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
tnanimation
340 Fans
05:27 PM on 02/03/2012
This is such a non-story. Every time the Tories take power they do this 'defund the CBC' dance to assuage their hard core right wing base in Alberta and Eastern BC. This gives MP's from those regions the go ahead and 'petition the government' and give these hapless back benchers something to do besides stand up and say 'aye' to every bill that Harper puts forth. In truth, everyone knows that no such thing will happen, the CBC will always be there, to do otherwise would ensure a quick demise for any party even flirting with the possibility. Right wing bloggers and SUN TV 'News' can scream all they want about the CBC. No doubt it will far outlast both parties.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
07:55 PM on 02/03/2012
If Canadians actually support CVC, why must they be forced to fund it?
Why not spend the money on something useful like teachers or doctors?
Permalink  |
photo
Danny Handelman
3 Fans
07:02 AM on 05/12/2013
I suspect those who support CBC funding tend to oppose military expenditures, which comprise a larger share of the budget than the CBC. Health and education are provincial responsibilities.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
11:55 AM on 02/03/2012
CBC porn titles:
Don Messer's Lubing Me, The Nature of Tongs, The Passionate Thigh....

https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23cbcporntitles
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
11:02 AM on 02/03/2012
The liberals promised to increase the CBC funding, the Conservatives have mused about cutting that funding.
Which party do you think will get more favourable coverage by the CBC?

Cut their funding completely, let people donate to it if they choose, that would be the most democratic way of doing it.
Democracy is good, isn't it?
Permalink  |
photo
Jay from Ottawa
sovereignty sale, 1.3T OBO
352 Fans
02:24 PM on 02/24/2012
"Democracy is good, isn't it?"

I would hope so... lets ask Racknine.

If Harper is pro-democracy, he should push for a referendum vote across Canada about whether or not to fund CBC. Throw in the legalization of Cannabis in there while we're at it.
Permalink  |
photo
Danny Handelman
3 Fans
07:03 AM on 05/12/2013
If the government eliminates funding of the CBC, and encourages supporters of the CBC to contribute, will the government use a similar policy regarding the military (a much larger expenditure than the CBC)?
Permalink  |
photo
Parishaalboom
1 Fans
 
01:39 PM on 02/02/2012
What private sector radio program even comes close to providing the kind of comprehensive and objective programming of the CBC?
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
10:55 AM on 02/03/2012
All of them.
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
donttwit
45 Fans
12:33 PM on 02/03/2012
You're kidding, right???
Permalink  |
photo
Jay from Ottawa
sovereignty sale, 1.3T OBO
352 Fans
02:25 PM on 02/24/2012
None with corporate financing, which is what will happen to CBC if it's privatized.
Permalink  |
dberianh
51 Fans
 
12:24 PM on 02/02/2012
Cutting or defunding CBC is tantamount to treason.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
06:57 PM on 02/02/2012
You want it, you pay for it.
All they do is lie to you but if that is what blows your skirt up....
Permalink  |
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
logicanada
Blogger, radio co-host, writer, editor, voice-over
1842 Fans
 
12:31 AM on 02/02/2012
The CBC is taxpayer supported, not government funded. When people feel differently, they will let the politicians know about it. CBC makes the torries very nervous because it can't be bought or corrupted.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
06:57 PM on 02/02/2012
Wafergate?
Rob Ford 911 calls?
Christian Lawand?
Permalink  |
Brainoverbraun
23 Fans
03:40 PM on 02/01/2012
MP's make about 160K per year. They don't actually manage the goverment...just sit around and argue about policy. It's a pretty good job if you think about it. Now Harper thinks we need more MP's.

Belgium recently had no government for almost a year...and business continued just fine without them. I personally would rather keep the CBC and get rid of MP's
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
10:57 AM on 02/03/2012
You don't understand that each MP should be elected by a somewhat equal number of voters?
Do you think it's fair that some ridings have 35,000 voters while other ridings have 150,000 voters?
Permalink  |
Brainoverbraun
23 Fans
04:00 PM on 02/03/2012
Yes....clearly you do think like a yam....the issue is whether executives at CBC have more value then MP's....not who or how we vote. Oh....we could easily reorganize our ridings by population without adding more MP.....I know...that's a big thought for a yam.
Permalink  |
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
gx5000
Life's too short, be happy..
842 Fans
02:15 PM on 02/01/2012
Called it !

The end of Government supported "People Network" is about....
Are you ready for all the news to be State or corporate sponsored ?

Tell your MP's to get the Government to lay off the CBC and respect its role in Canadian Life.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
06:58 PM on 02/02/2012
The hard left Marxists at the so called CBC do not represent Canada.
Permalink  |
thediamond0000
as above, so below.
38 Fans
10:48 PM on 02/02/2012
move to arizona. no marxists at the CBC.
#delusional
Permalink  |
photo
vogonpoet42
Illegitimus Non Carborundum
430 Fans
11:54 AM on 02/03/2012
It must take a lot of energy to keep up the level of cynicism and vitriol that you seem to be so adept at spewing Stan. Have you considered seeing a therapist?
Permalink  |
islander800
69 Fans
01:54 PM on 02/01/2012
To paraphrase Stockard Channing in "Grease":

"Keep your greasy paws off my silky CBC!"

Seriously, are they serious? As has been pointed out many many times before, all civilized, first-world countries in the world (except the U.S.) spends way more, on a per-capita basis, on public broadcasting than Canada. The only place one can find intelligent discourse today seems to be on public outlets. Just look at the U.S. It seems the only voices that don't treat you as moronic walking wallets are on PBS and National Public Radio.

Harper, just keep your paws off our CBC.
Permalink  |
BritishColumbian
American/Canadian liberal
2676 Fans
09:36 AM on 02/02/2012
Well said!
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
06:59 PM on 02/02/2012
Really?
How much does Greece spend on it?
Permalink  |
photo
Billk29
Justified Ancient of Mu
176 Fans
10:50 AM on 02/01/2012
I listen to cbc2 radio constantly. It is the best station out there and if it disappeared the cultural aspect of canada would be badly damaged.
Opera,classical ,canadian artists,commissioned music from canadians....all lost.
The CBC is one of the few tangible things that come from our tax dollars.
I also hate to break it to the originators of this article as well that $100k isn't exactly a groundbreaking exorbitant salary these days.
The MPs have a lot of nerve slagging the cbc for cost when they themselves get a full gold plated salary after only 6 yrs 'work'.
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
07:00 PM on 02/02/2012
If it is so great, why does it need a billion a year bailout?
Permalink  |
thediamond0000
as above, so below.
38 Fans
10:48 PM on 02/02/2012
not a bailout, but funding from tax payers.
Permalink  |
photo
Jay from Ottawa
sovereignty sale, 1.3T OBO
352 Fans
02:34 PM on 02/24/2012
So by that logic, public education, public healthcare, public roads, public parks, federal and provincial police forces, firefighters, CSIS, our military ... all bailouts correct ?
Permalink  |
lismore
74 Fans
09:58 AM on 02/01/2012
We should fund the CBC! It performs functions that the others do not. The investigative work, the consumer products watchdog role and the delving into the misdeeds of governments and people within them is critical. Ah, that's really what bugs the Tories and perhaps the Liberals. Do you suppose the NDP will support cuts to or the sale of the CBC? Why not you might ask? CBC programming is unique and their longer form news reporting and documentary work is exceptional!
Permalink  |
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
CanadaStan
Cogito ergo spud, I think, therefore I yam
155 Fans
07:00 PM on 02/02/2012
It seems like you think Canadians would fund the CBC voluntarily?
Why must we be forced to fund it if it is so popular?
Permalink  |
therainisgone
MT
335 Fans
08:02 AM on 02/01/2012
keep the names of these politicians in mind ---see if they end up with 6 figure jobs at quebecor after they get booted from office
Permalink  |
therainisgone
MT
335 Fans
07:43 AM on 02/01/2012
what is to prevent privatizing the military(air force) once the jets have been bought with your tax dollars ----

too costly to keep them in the air -----also dumped for a pittance to a private operator
Permalink  |
 
Page: 1 2  Next ›  Last »  (2 total)