MONTREAL – The Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC) is accusing the CRTC of “systemic and overt racism and a colonial mentality” and wants the Governor General, the Prime Minister and the Minister of Canadian Heritage to investigate.
CMAC describes itself as a non-profit organization comprised of academics, legal advisors, policy consultants and community media practitioners working towards equitable representation and access for underrepresented communities within the broadcasting system, including the CRTC.
In a letter dated April 24, CMAC called for action “to ensure the CRTC supports racial equity and the sovereignty of Indigenous peoples”. It referenced its recent appearance at the Commission's hearing for radio licenses to serve urban Aboriginal communities in Ottawa, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver, and took issue with a number of remarks made by CRTC chairman Jean-Pierre Blais as well as his “aggressive line of questioning” directed to two of CMAC’s racialized representatives who presented at the hearing.
“One can only be left with the impression that the hearing will be determined, not by the transparent policies the CRTC has set for broadcasters, but at the whims of a panel led by an individual who praises perpetrators of murder of Indigenous people, holds only the vaguest understanding of a homogenous “Aboriginal” stereotype, believes Indigenous people do not contribute to the Canadian economy and targets racialized community media advocates with sarcastic interrogations at a public proceeding”, reads the letter.
CMAC also made a number of requests that it says will “restore trust and affirm the legitimacy of the CRTC as a public authority regulating broadcasting and telecommunications in Canada”, including:
– That Chairman Blais apologize for inappropriate statements made during the public hearing CRTC 2017-1;
– That a transparent and accountable third-party process be initiated to investigate and address allegations of systemic and overt racism within the Commission, and Chairman Blais’ role therein;
– That the CRTC implement comprehensive anti-racism education and training among its staff and appointees;
– That an Indigenous or racialized person be appointed as Chair of the Commission; and
– That the CRTC consult directly with Indigenous nations and associated representative organizations in its ongoing and upcoming reviews of the Broadcasting Act, Native Broadcasting Policy, and Cultural Diversity Policy.
