Minister reviewing CBC's mandate with eye to making it less reliant on advertising
Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez said Monday he is starting to review the mandate for CBC and its French-language service Radio-Canada, including ways the government can bolster funding to the public broadcaster so it is less reliant on advertising dollars.
And he also hinted the Liberal government's proposed online news bill, which is currently being studied by a Senate committee, could help.
His mandate letter from the prime minister said the goal in providing more money to the CBC and Radio-Canada is to eliminate advertising during news and other public affairs shows.
This would be similar to the BBC, which does not broadcast ads on its domestic television channels within the United Kingdom.
Rodriguez said the CBC would financially benefit from passage of the online news act, also known as C-18. The bill would require tech giants to pay Canadian media companies for linking to or otherwise repurposing their content online.
The parliamentary budget officer released a report last year that shows news businesses are expected to receive over $300 million annually from digital platforms when the online news bill becomes law.
"CBC, as other institutions, will benefit from the C-18 eventually, so there's something there," Rodriguez told the House of Commons heritage committee on Monday.
Private broadcasters have praised the bill because they believe it will create more of a level playing field against tech giants such as Google and Meta. They have disrupted the adverting industry and bring in a disproportionate amount of revenue from ads than traditional media.
NDP MP Peter Julian suggested this could help divert some online advertising money now spent on the CBC and Radio-Canada to smaller media outlets.
"I wouldn't necessarily say it's a given if (CBC) has an enhanced strengthened mandate, and relies less on advertising, that that advertising would then go to those small media players," Julian said in an interview Monday.
"I certainly hope so, but I think the fact that C-18 is in place could well mean that there are more resources available for small journalistic entities."
CBC/Radio-Canada made nearly $420 million from TV and online ads in 2021-22, the Crown corporation's latest financial report shows.
During the 2021 election, the Liberals ran on a promise to provide $400 million over four years to CBC/Radio-Canada so that it's less reliant on private advertising. The broadcaster had previously said that was the amount it would need to move toward an ad-free model.
The New Democrats want to see a new CBC mandate "as quickly as possible" because they believe it's been under attack, including by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
"It's important the government step forward in the coming months," Julian said.
"Canadians want to see a strengthened CBC that can only come through this review."
The Liberal government has said it wants to update CBC's mandate to meet the modern needs of Canadians.
That includes protecting and promoting the French language and francophone culture; increasing the production of national, local and regional news; strengthening Radio-Canada International; expanding Indigenous programming; and exporting Canadian television and films.
Rodriguez did not say when he expects to finish his review of CBC/Radio-Canada's mandate.
"We'll take the time we need to do it. It's very important. It hasn't been reviewed in a long time," Rodriguez told reporters after the committee meeting Monday.
The Conservatives' position is to cut from the roughly $1 billion CBC receives in annual funding without defunding Radio-Canada.
"In addition, we will sell the CBC headquarters and convert them to affordable housing for Canadian families to actually benefit from," said Canadian Heritage critic Rachael Thomas in a statement.
"Only our common sense Conservative government will bring home a neutral media."
It's a policy position that Rodriguez described during his committee appearance as "sad." He said it sends a message "that francophones outside of Quebec can have access to Radio-Canada, but anglophones in Quebec can't have access to CBC."
"CBC/Radio-Canada is one. It's got the same president, the same board, the same offices, the same cameras are used, the same microphones are used, the same editing rooms are used, and quite often the same journalist," Rodriguez said.
"So when do you stop paying that person? If the same journalist is asking a question in French, but then starts asking in English you stop paying that journalist and say 'No we're not going to support you?' It doesn't make any sense."
To further protect the institution, the Liberal government recently enshrined the importance of the public broadcaster in its bill to update the official languages act, which recently passed the House and is currently being studied in the Senate.
The bill lays out the important work CBC/Radio-Canada does in preserving Canada's two official languages -- a line the Conservatives tried to delete at its committee stage.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2023.
------
Meta funds a limited number of fellowships that support emerging journalists at The Canadian Press.
IN DEPTH
Budget 2024 prioritizes housing while taxing highest earners, deficit projected at $39.8B
In an effort to level the playing field for young people, in the 2024 federal budget, the government is targeting Canada's highest earners with new taxes in order to help offset billions in new spending to enhance the country's housing supply and social supports.
'One of the greatest': Former prime minister Brian Mulroney commemorated at state funeral
Prominent Canadians, political leaders, and family members remembered former prime minister and Progressive Conservative titan Brian Mulroney as an ambitious and compassionate nation-builder at his state funeral on Saturday.
'Democracy requires constant vigilance' Trudeau testifies at inquiry into foreign election interference in Canada
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau testified Wednesday before the national public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's electoral processes, following a day of testimony from top cabinet ministers about allegations of meddling in the 2019 and 2021 federal elections. Recap all the prime minister had to say.
As Poilievre sides with Smith on trans restrictions, former Conservative candidate says he's 'playing with fire'
Siding with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on her proposed restrictions on transgender youth, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre confirmed Wednesday that he is against trans and non-binary minors using puberty blockers.
Supports for passengers, farmers, artists: 7 bills from MPs and Senators to watch in 2024
When parliamentarians return to Ottawa in a few weeks to kick off the 2024 sitting, there are a few bills from MPs and senators that will be worth keeping an eye on, from a 'gutted' proposal to offer a carbon tax break to farmers, to an initiative aimed at improving Canada's DNA data bank.
Opinion
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
opinion Don Martin: The doctor Trudeau dumped has a prescription for better health care
Political columnist Don Martin sat down with former federal health minister Jane Philpott, who's on a crusade to help fix Canada's broken health care system, and who declined to take any shots at the prime minister who dumped her from caucus.
opinion Don Martin: Trudeau's seeking shelter from the housing storm he helped create
While Justin Trudeau's recent housing announcements are generally drawing praise from experts, political columnist Don Martin argues there shouldn’t be any standing ovations for a prime minister who helped caused the problem in the first place.
opinion Don Martin: Poilievre has the field to himself as he races across the country to big crowds
It came to pass on Thursday evening that the confidentially predictable failure of the Official Opposition non-confidence motion went down with 204 Liberal, BQ and NDP nays to 116 Conservative yeas. But forcing Canada into a federal election campaign was never the point.
opinion Don Martin: How a beer break may have doomed the carbon tax hike
When the Liberal government chopped a planned beer excise tax hike to two per cent from 4.5 per cent and froze future increases until after the next election, says political columnist Don Martin, it almost guaranteed a similar carbon tax move in the offing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.
Local Spotlight
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.
Toronto-area dessert shop featured by Keith Lee forced to move after zoning complaint
A small Ajax dessert shop that recently received a glowing review from celebrity food critic Keith Lee is being forced to move after a zoning complaint was made following the social media influencer’s visit last month.
'Oh Crap!' New exhibit at Canada Science and Technology Museum explores human waste
The Canada Science and Technology Museum is inviting visitors to explore their poop. A new exhibition opens at the Ottawa museum on Friday called, 'Oh Crap! Rethinking human waste.'
Regina police hope new biometric monitoring system will save lives in detention facility
The Regina Police Service says it is the first in Saskatchewan and possibly Canada to implement new technology in its detention facility that will offer real-time monitoring of detainees’ vital health metrics.
Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors bet on who will win Round 2 of the playoffs. Here's what's at stake
The stakes have been set for a bet between Vancouver and Edmonton's mayors on who will win Round 2 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
'No other life taken': Mother leads ATV helmet drive to honour daughter's legacy
A grieving mother is hosting a helmet drive in the hopes of protecting children on Manitoba First Nations from a similar tragedy that killed her daughter.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
P.E.I. lighthouse, N.B. river spotlighted in Canada Post series
A P.E.I. lighthouse and a New Brunswick river are being honoured in a Canada Post series.