Video Transcript:
(00:00) in the vast and diverse landscape of Canada the media has traditionally been revered as the Bastion of impartiality and Truth serving as the backbone that holds together the multifaceted threads of public discourse it is a noble institution entrusted with the dissemination of balanced information ensuring the public remains informed and empowered however recent developments emerging from the corridors of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation CBC have undeniably stirred a tempest of controversy and debate resonating with
(00:26) voices from coast to coast and even reaching the icy expanses of the Canadian North the cbc’s audacious decision to infuse its treasury with additional Millions has functioned as a Clarion call echoing through the chambers of political and public Arenas alike inciting a spectrum of discussions that stretch Beyond previously unimagined Horizons and boundaries these discussions explore the very essence of journalism’s role in a Democratic Society at the heart of this stirring Saga lies a pivotal question is this
(00:51) financial maneuver merely an instrumental Cog and a grander Machinery orchestrated by the liberal government under Justin Trudeau’s stewardship subtly entwining State and media welcome back to Street politics Canada embarking on an ambitious venture to expand its local news coverage the CBC has declared an emphasis on underserved communities a phrase that simultaneously ignites hope and skepticism amongst public observers and stakeholders this strategic agenda emerges amid glaring Optics of a staggering 1.5 billion
(01:19) taxpayer subsidy already absorbed by the national broadcaster which is now Amplified with an additional annual $7 million a financial injection originally intended to level the competitive playing field for private publishers the unfolding spectacle is reminiscent of seasoned thespians adeptly performing in the Grand Theater of strategic maneuvering how to milk the system 101 with their deaft moves potentially garnering the admiration of a political virtuoso like Justin Trudeau himself or any other figure skilled in navigating
(01:48) the tides of public perception and political influence Miss Tate in December on the 4th you announced that 800 jobs would be cut from the CBC 600 individuals would be fired and 200 vacancies would not be filled totaling 800 um at that time you were asked whether or not Executives would be given bonuses for 2023 you said you weren’t ruling it out when you came to this committee you confirmed once again that you were not ruling it out in fact you confirmed that a decision would be made by the end of March now it’s uh May and
(02:19) so I’m curious are you going to be awarded a bonus for 2023 so much as I said at the time um uh Madam chair as I said at the time uh we have a process which is very rigorous uh after internal deliberations with the board of directors at our June board meeting once we’ve had a chance to present the audited financial statements there will be a discussion and we will inform employees at that time of the decision that is taken uh Miss Tate an access to information was put forward by the taxpayers Federation um and asking
(02:56) for those 2023 bonus amounts uh the CBC responded by saying that they would provide those but not until May 10th um today is May 7th and so I’m curious if 3 days prior you would be able to give those numbers here I’m sure you have them you just have not agreed to release the documents yet however I did write you a letter I gave you a heads up so I’m curious if you’d share them here and I and I thank you I thank um The Honorable member from leth bridge for the opportunity to clarify a lot of misinformation that has been circulating
(03:29) regarding performance pay in 2223 in a poignant Twist of irony as the CBC plants its operational flag in locals such as Fort McMurray an oil sands nerve center ostensibly sidelined by federal liberal agendas another layer of complexity is seamlessly interwoven into the fabric of this narrative promising to present unfamiliar flavors to the communities they aim to serve comparable to offering exotic dishes to patrons with a taste for classic Stakes the reality of their offerings often appears remarkably redundant and out of
(03:58) touch with local tastes this extends to recruiting local journalists who are charged with the formidable task of educating residents on the proposed virtues of carbon taxes a narrative many residents might find not only alien but entirely out of sync with their lived experiences and economic realities as such the cbc’s efforts to position themselves as the primary source of Enlightenment in these areas may do more to alienate than engage fostering a divide that further complicates their mission and potentially transforming a
(04:24) well-intentioned campaign into a commentary on how not to connect with Grassroots concerns the drama further intensifies with the disclosure of an astounding $18.4 million dispensed in executive bonuses Conjuring amusing parallels to an Oprah style Bonanza you get a bonus and you get a bonus yet amidst these proceedings one must Ponder if any Financial considerations or direct benefits will trickle down to the ordinary Canadian whose contributions support this Behemoth I think there might have been a misunderstanding I’m
(04:53) not asking about 2022 I’m asking about 2023 um the ask said fiscal year 234 about the fiscal year 2023 that decision with regard to bonuses was made in March those are your words you mions would be made Madam chair just for clarification is Miss Thomas asking about the fiscal year 2223 or 2324 just so that for avoidance of doubt that’s not a point of order that’s not a point of order Madam too well I but I think he’s clarifying the question so it’s a point of clarification I think Miss Tate wishes to know what year
(05:30) you’re referring to years go from one year to another April to April I trust my time was stopped yes the time is stopped thank you um I’m referring to the fiscal year of 2023 which ended in March of 2024 so that’s actually the fiscal year of 2324 and for that year we have not issued any performance pay because we have not yet reviewed the final results of the year that end ended on March 31st 24 so miss Tate you are head of the management team you confirmed at our last committee meeting that it is you and your management team that make that
(06:10) decision with regards to bonuses that are given out you confirmed that that decision is made at the by by no later than the end of March of 2024 and you then made the comment that the board would have to sign off on that recommendation in June so I under that I understand that the sign off is coming up but you do know what the recommendation is so as of the end of March of 2024 what is the recommendation for your 20203 bonus as I’ve said previously these conversations are subject to internal deliberations by the
(06:46) management team to the board of directors we have not had that conversation with the board that is scheduled for June 12th and 13th we will have that conversation at which point the final result results will have been audited and reviewed by the auditor general cynic might quip that the stratospheric spirits of these Executives might better be stirred by Pursuits and creative sophany rather than the often mundane path of prudent fiscal oversight however reality paints a picture that is less of an academic exercise and more of an exploration of
(07:17) fiscal misadventure a tale of financial stewardship gone astray the situation invites introspection about whether the laress bestowed upon the upper echelons of CBC truly aligns with the broadcasting entities fiduciary responsibilities or if it instead veers off into the territory of unrestrained excess raising questions over the prioritization of resources in times of economic caution and fiscal restraint perpetuating The Narrative further Whispers of conspiracy theories abound portraying CBC and Trudeau’s Administration as meticulously
(07:46) choreographed Partners in an intricate Waltz toward enthroned consolidations of power handin hand or more aptly fondly clasped together in a beguiling dance they might set the scene for a dramatic quidd proquo relationship adorned with insinuation and speculation as statistical insights divulge that a hefty portion 79% of the cbc’s content remains as a lusive as bipartisan collaboration in a polarized World Discerning audiences are left to Muse is CBC truly championing public interests or has it morphed into yet another
(08:17) amplifier of the liberal government’s narrative echoing and perpetuating those in power we are in a situation where Canadians are struggling um the cost of living is is is big it unaffordable for so many Canadians to afford the essentials yet when you look at the bonuses $18 million awarded across CBC uh including uh averaging tens of thousands of dollars to Executives within the organization yet your metrics certainly don’t seem to add up with the talking points that are provided uh as you conclude your tenure at CBC uh can
(08:52) you commit today uh that you will not take a severance package or bonuses for the last last two fiscal years you’ve made several points in that um in that uh question um what I would say is first of all the um if we’re talking about uh 2223 all the results of that year are public for 23 24 all of the um key performance indicators set out and approved by the board were achieved if not exceeded thank you so so so with respect Miss Tate did ask specifically about your compensation so so when it when the range of compensation that is provided
(09:35) you make more than the prime minister of this country that’s your compensation so to get a bonus on top of that at a time when viewership is down ad revenue for your organization is down I asked specifically about whether or not you would uh uh refuse to take a severance package at the conclusion of your term as I believe that Canadians would expect that um the corporation honor its commitments to its uh non-unionized employees as it would to its unionized employees and I would just correct the record whereas total ad revenues are
(10:07) down digital ad revenues are up uh since the beginning of my tenure which they add digital Revenue was at about 38 million uh this last year it clocked in at about a 100 million so I think it’s important that we have accurate um descriptors of what’s going on at CBC ha Canada such rumbling suggest that the very essence of Canada’s media Integrity is at stake imperiling what many hold dear as a foundational pillar of democracy a free impartial and transparent press serving the public with unwavering dedication to truth and
(10:38) accountability critics have been vifer articulating their apprehensions suggesting that CBC may be strategically deploying public funds not simply to broaden its reach but to advance what some perceive as a liberal agenda crafted to resonate with the party in power this narrative they argue creates a precarious imbalance casting private media entities into a parent David versus Goliath contention against a publicly funded Titan armed with resources Beyond reach in drawing our examination to a close the ongoing saga
(11:08) of cbc’s seemingly insatiable quest for public funds necessitates a critical reevaluation of how Canadian taxpayer money should be judiciously allocated in an era of economic Prudence critics are resonating with a thunderous call for transformation advocating for accountability and the restoration of equilibrium within a tempestuous media environment engulfed by swirling ideologies and influences threatening to erode trust as the symbiotic relationship between CBC and the liberal Administration deepens with potentially
(11:37) far-reaching implications on the public narrative key questions regarding oversight and transparency intensify demanding answers that transcend the default silence often adopted in such controversies this enduring challenge represents an ongoing debate compelling Canadian citizens to maintain vigilance and vocal advocacy to safeguard their media lest these orchestrated Shadows supplant what was once an era hallmarked by impartial journalism dedication to the truth and service to the public good the call of the hour is clear to uphold
(12:08) the sanctity of honest media practice ensuring that truth stands triumphantly unfettered by the heavy hand of political intention as a beacon of democracy for all Canadians Illuminating the path to informed citizenship and safeguarding democratic ideals for future Generations well that’s all for now do you think Trudeau will be handing over more bonuses to the CBC let us know what you think in the comments below and if you haven’t please subscribe and leave a like for this video your support helps us continue our work you can also
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