TORONTO – While the Canadian Media Guild and CBC management talked all weekend long, resolving a couple of more minor issues, the ones that led to the ongoing lockout (contracting out and the job categories in which that’s allowed) remain on the table.
A union statement on Sunday seemed somewhat positive, saying, “(d)iscussions continue to be constructive. However, there are significant challenges ahead, particularly in negotiations on employment status and layoff and recall.”
The release put out by CBC management was a little more pessimistic.
“Although there were discussions today, nothing further has been agreed to since Saturday. We…
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GATINEAU – Now that the two new Canadian satellite radio companies were scared into committing to more French language channels (going from three to four, or half of the Canadian channels they each will have), the federal cabinet issued a statement today saying it won’t interfere with the CRTC decision on the matter.
After two months of enormous lobbying pressure from all sides, as reported extensively by www.cartt.ca, Minister of Canadian Heritage Liza Frulla and Minister of Industry David Emerson late this afternoon said that cabinet decided to let the decision stand.
After looking at several…
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TORONTO – The Canadian Media Guild and CBC management are making steady progress at the negotiating table, the union reported this afternoon.
“Yesterday, the two sides came to agreement on provisions for assignment of work as they discussed the issues of day-to-day working conditions. The article outlines the Corporation’s rights and restrictions. They also discussed the working conditions for producers and associate producers, covered by the article on producers’ authority,” says the release.
"There has been a lot of talk about how many articles we have left to agree on," says the Guild’s CBC branch president Arnold Amber. "In…
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TORONTO – On day one of the Toronto International Film Festival, Rogers Group of Funds announced today that it will partner with CBC and Telefilm Canada in their Feature-Length Theatrical Documentary Program, bringing the budget for the program up to $1,250,000.
The Rogers Group of Funds will contribute $125,000 to each project in the form of recoupable equity.
"Rogers has been a significant contributor to Canadian documentary production for more than 20 years. Supporting this important initiative is a logical fit for us. Rogers, Telefilm and CBC together make a great partnership," said Phil Lind, Vice Chairman, Rogers Communications, in…
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TORONTO – Tomorrow night, Canadian broadcasters will simulcast Shelter from the Storm: A Concert for the Gulf Coast.
All six U.S. broadcasters will air the benefit concert and according to a report in Canadian Press, CBC Television, CHUM Television’s A-Channels and Citytv stations, CTV and Global Television will all present the one-hour commercial-free special at 8 p.m. ET.
The concert will be carried in 95 countries around the world, raising money for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
"The entertainment special/fundraising event will salute the brave citizens in the devastated areas of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and pay tribute to the…
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OTTAWA – Writer Guy Fournier has been proposed as the next chairman of the board of the CBC by Canadian Heritage Minister Liza Frulla.
Fournier will now face the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for approval, which is basically a rubber-stamp. Fournier replaces Carole Taylor, who quit earlier this year to enter provincial politics in British Columbia.
“I am pleased to recommend such a distinguished Quebecker and Canadian like Mr. Fournier for this important role,” said Minister Frulla in her press release. “It goes without saying that his vast experience in newspapers, film, television and the theatre will be of…
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TORONTO – The Canadian Media Guild continues to call negotiations between itself and CBC “constructive” as the two sides continue to negotiate.
“Modest progress was made at the bargaining table yesterday (Wednesday) as the Canadian Media Guild and CBC management signed off on two articles, posting of vacancies and posting of schedules. The two sides also exchanged language on freelancers and assignment,” says the Guild.
That brings to 15 of 40 issues which have been resolved. “The talks are constructive and continue today,” added CMG.
Also today, CMG felt it necessary to clarify why certain reporters are still on…
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LET’S SAY YOU’RE AN MP, a cabinet-member even. You’re no dummy, despite the reputation politicians have. You know a lot about a lot of things. As a cabinet member, you’ve probably been elected more than once. You understand the voting public.
You also have a good grasp on what you don’t know and foremost, you probably know a quagmire when you smell it. And the battle which has arisen the past two weeks over June’s CRTC satellite radio decision (and just landed on your desk thanks to much lobbying) has descended into just such a confusing mess.
You can tell by…
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QUEBEC CITY – "Global couldn’t care less about Québec City!" shouts a release today filed by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The union has filed a complaint with the CRTC over the broadcaster’s ongoing plan to consolidate its master control in Toronto, which was reported by www.cartt.ca on July 19th.
Like other broadcasters, Global is saving money by using the latest technology to have its master control in a few major centres, rather than have duplicates all over the place.
“We’re just doing what CTV and CBC and the French networks did ages ago,” CKMI station manager Karen…
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OTTAWA – Canada’s TV producers hope the resumption of preliminary talks between the CBC and the Canadian Media Guild this week means an end to the lockout is around the corner.
“CBC is a very important window for Canadian independent production and a major supporter of Canadian drama," says Ira Levy, chair of the Canadian Film and Television Production Association. "We are concerned that if the lockout continues, schedules will be severely disrupted and any new productions could be delayed or possibly cancelled.”
The CBC announced on Thursday that its fall TV schedule, which was to debut on Sept….
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