OTTAWA – CBC executives will be called on the carpet at some point soon to explain “mistakes” some say it made in its recent show The Story of Us to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
Since this group of politicians have apparently little else better to do than quibble publicly about artistic, editorial decisions made by writers and directors, CBC leaders will be called to appear, soon. The series raised some complaints from certain quarters by people who were offended by portions of the docu-drama which was never intended to be a literal, factual, historical documentary lifted from state-approved history textbooks.
A motion by Longueuil-Saint-Hubert, NDP MP Pierre Nantel and passed by the group demands the CBC come in “to discuss the efforts of the Corporation, by virtue of its mandate, to ensure the representation of First Nations, Inuit and Métis, and of francophones, and concerning the Corporation's activities in the context of the 150th anniversary of Canada.”
During debate of the motion, which can be found here, Nantel said “We must be able to acknowledge that a mistake was made… It is very relevant to ask the corporation's representatives to appear. I even think that it is an opportunity for CBC/Radio-Canada to provide explanations and make amends, for example, by saying that such mistakes will not happen in the future.”
Conservative MP Peter van Loan told the committee he instead wants to do some back-slapping. Sort of. “I will support the motion for the exact opposite reason that Mr. Nantel is bringing it. I actually want to commend the CBC for excellent work… I think the CBC should be doing more of this type of genuine public broadcasting, focusing on our history and our culture and the like, and doing less imitation of the States and less news and so on.”
(Ed note: Wait, what? Less news?)
“I observe that all the complaints are that people feel their story has been left out, which makes my point exactly, that there has not been enough of this kind of programming and that's why people feel left out,” said van Loan. I want to commend them. I think they are talking about the things we should be talking about and focusing on the things we should be focusing on for the 150th. I'd be delighted to have them here to toss them a few bouquets. I'm sure I can find some other things that I don't like about the CBC if I look really hard, but this is an example of where they're doing it right.”
Darrell Samson, Liberal MP for Sackville-Preston-Chezzetcook, apparently believes all such programming must be more along the lines of a history book, with zero artistic license. “I would like the CBC's work to be professional, and the corporation should ensure that the information it provides is consistent with the facts,” he said. “I think that an institution like the CBC really has no excuse for having made such big mistakes. I would certainly like to hear what its representatives have to say, since someone approved what was shown. I like history, but I also like it to be consistent with the facts.”
Only Newfoundland Liberal MP and former broadcaster Seamus O’Regan (rightly, albeit far too lightly) cautioned his fellow committee members about the government mandating editorial choices. “I have issue with The Story of Us as well, notably the omission of St. John's as the oldest European city in North America,” he said. “I do have some hesitation about the state making programming decisions, but I think the motion you have is broad enough when you talk about representation.”
No date has been set for when the CBC will have to attend this kangaroo court.
