TORONTO – The Writers Guild of Canada has come out in opposition to the CRTC Task Force on the Canadian Television Fund.
Oddly, while directing pointed criticism at Shaw Communications and Quebecor/Videotron, the WGC release is really about how it believes that broadcasters don’t properly promote or schedule Canadian shows.
The Task Force report calls for the lowering of Canadian talent CAVCO requirements for CTF-funded prime time programming to 8 out of 10 points, from 10 out of 10. To the Writers Guild, that means the report says "in order to garner an audience, programs need non-Canadian talent," reads its release.
“Why are we perpetuating this myth that Canadians can’t make TV shows that we want to watch, about the country we live in. According to Jim Shaw and our regulators, Canadian talent and market success is inherently incompatible”, said Maureen Parker, executive director of the Writers Guild of Canada.
Shows created by Canadians for Canadians draw great audience numbers when promoted and financed, says the release, citing the usual suspects of “Corner Gas”, “Little Mosque on the Prairie”, “Degrassi: Next Generation”, “Rick Mercer Report”, and “Trailer Park Boys” and some TV movies.
However, cable companies don’t promote or schedule Cancon, broadcasters do.
"When shows aren’t fully developed, have cheap production values, aren’t promoted and are scheduled on Saturday evenings, they won’t draw an audience," adds the release.
“But what the CRTC fails to understand is that Canadian screenwriters can’t be held accountable for poor broadcasting decisions.” added Parker.
