CBC Announces Layoffs
National Broadcaster to Cut 800 Jobs
Like its privately run counterparts the Canadian Broadcast Corporation (CBC) has found itself financially hard hit by declining advertising revenue. The announcement of lay-offs follows recent requests from the network for a ‘bridging loan’ from the federal government to help ease the pain. Those requests have been denied leaving the broadcaster no choice but to make the job cuts.
Job Cut Breakdown
For one month beginning April 6th, those workers close to retirement will be offered voluntary retirement incentive packages. In remarks published by the Canadian Press CBC’s President Hubert Lacroix said he hoped this will help reduce the number of lay-offs: “We hope that by doing it that way we can minimize and reduce the 800 number.” 393 jobs will come from English Programming, and 336 in French Services.
Blame for the job cuts is being placed on the Harper Government. In comments published by the Canadian Press, Canadian Media Guild President Lise Lareau called the cuts avoidable: “This was an entirely avoidable lay-off. The Harper government forced the CBC to make these choices over a relatively small amount of money.” The CBC has already received $1.1 billion in funding.
Communications Union President Alex Levasseur added his opposition to the cuts. In comments printed by the Canadian Press he said the federal government spent years choking the public broadcaster: “It’s them who for years and years have continued to strangle sociéte radio Canada, continued to try and cut down the public broadcaster as much as possible.”
Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended his government’s stand in qestion period saying clearly the economic downturn has affected both private and public broadcasters. Heritage Minister James Moore said his fear was giving the CBC a loan would possibly put them in even worse financial shape than they are right now.
Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff painted a bleak picture of the public broadcaster’s future. In comments published in the Canadian Press he said: “This inaction has forced CBC-Radio Canada to make difficult decisions that will have disastrous consequences on its ability to carry out its national mandate."
The CBC is also looking into selling off up to $125 million assets, but any perspective sale would have to be approved by the federal government.
CBC Programming Cuts
The network has already cancelled two programs. Steven& Chris, and Fashion File will both end their respective runs later this year. Additionally the network is going to scale back programming on Little Mosque On The Prairie and Being Erica by reducing the number of episodes. Live sports coverage of figure skating, skiing, swimming and soccer has been cutback as well.
The radio side also faces cuts. The CBC has cancelled radio shows: The Inside Track, In The Key Of Charles, and Out Front.
The federal government has recently acknowledged the current business model for broadcasters is broken. They are looking ways to help private broadcasters.
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