I am deeply concerned by the Conservative government’s plan to cut over $100 million from the CBC. This will threaten many key services; it is equivalent to almost the entire cost of producing CBC Radio.
The CBC keeps Canada connected. It provides a common thread for all Canadians living across our massive and diverse country. These severe cuts will be hardest on rural and remote regions of Canada where the CBC is the main media presence.
Good public media is important for our democracy, our culture and our digital economy. In a time of massive global change, we need strong Canadian institutions that can change and grow to meet the challenges of our times.
We are watching the Internet break old business models and create new opportunities for people to connect with their world. This is a time for a national conversation about how we can take advantage of those opportunities.
A majority of Canadians want to maintain or increase funding to the CBC. That’s why James Moore, on behalf of the Conservatives, promised that he would not cut the CBC’s funding during the last election. I expect Moore to keep their promise. It’s time to create, not cut.
I urge all Canadians to send a message to the government at http://reimaginecbc.ca/connected.
Deborah Webb
Penticton