TORONTO – "The CBC costs taxpayers over $1.1 billion per year. Do you think this is a good use of taxpayers dollars or a bad use of taxpayers dollars?" asks a Conservative Party fundraising letter which was recently received by Canadian TV watchdog group Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.
So, asked Friends in a press release today, “What is (Prime Minister Stephen) Harper’s answer to this question?”
The letter from Conservative campaign director Doug Finley goes on to promise that: "I will personally share the overall results and any comments with the Prime Minister…People like you drive our policy development,” reads the Friends release, quoting the letter.
“Since becoming Prime Minister, Mr. Harper has done nothing to disavow his remarks as leader of the Conservative Party during 2004 election campaign on May 19 when he said: ‘I’ve suggested that government subsidies in support of CBC’s services should be to those things that are not… Do not have commercial alternatives,’” reads the Friends release.
"If Mr. Harper thinks CBC is a bad use of taxpayers dollars, is he planning CBC budget cuts if he wins a majority?" asked Ian Morrison, FCB’s spokesperson. "He should tell Canadians where he stands particularly in light of his previous comments and his party’s provocative fundraising pitch."
