OTTAWA – CBC received a little help from its friends Tuesday when Tous amis de Radio-Canada officially unveiled the ‘White Paper on the future of the CBC/Radio-Canada’ at the Parliamentary Press Gallery.
Written by trade union Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada president Alex Levasseur, the document raises several fundamental issues of funding, governance and programming concerning Canada’s public broadcaster.
"This document is part of the tradition of white papers that describe a situation objectively and factually, thus helping to take a stand and make smart decisions”, said Levasseur, in a news release. “In addition to the history and description of services offered by the CBC/Radio-Canada, we studied other public broadcasters around the world to raise thirteen thought-provoking questions. We are launching it just as the CBC/Radio-Canada management makes significant cuts totalling $130 million, causing more than 650 layoffs. These recent events show that now, more than ever, we need to think about and especially debate on the future of our Corporation."
The Tous amis de Radio-Canada campaign is organised by the Confédération des syndicats nationaux, together with the Fédération nationale des communications–CSN and the Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada (FNC–CSN). The Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada represents 1,600 members in the province of Québec and in Moncton and is affiliated with the Fédération nationale des communications-CSN, which is composed of 7,000 members working in culture and communications.
Three launches of ‘White Paper on the future of the CBC/Radio-Canada’ are planned: one in Québec City, one in Montreal and one in Moncton.
"We had planned on launching White Paper for a while now, and the dark times that we still live in explain how urgent and relevant it is to address and speak publicly about this issue”, added Levasseur. “Without debate and without a warrant, the government is slowly but surely dismantling one of the essential public services in a democracy, one whose mandate is to educate, inform and entertain Canadians. We have provided a copy to all Canadian members of Parliament and senators. In this sense, we invite them to reflect on and discuss the questions and issues raised therein, and with all Canadians."
www.csn.qc.ca
