Statement made on 14 April 2010 by Senator Francis Fox (retired)
Hon. Francis Fox:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. It is about funding for the cultural institution that many of us believe to be the country's leading cultural institution: CBC/Radio-Canada.
It was recently reported in the media that CBC/Radio-Canada's funding will be reduced in 2010-2011.
Unfortunately, these budget cutbacks announced by the Canada Media Fund will reduce the funding envelope for original productions by 10 per cent.
Under the previous regime comprising the fund's predecessors, the Canadian Television Fund and the New Media Fund, the corporation benefited from guaranteed subsidies that the Harper government has eliminated. The government's decision will affect programming because the francophone and anglophone schedules will lose some 50 hours of original programs. That will end up diluting Canadian content, and Canadian identity will suffer as a result.
When will the government give CBC/Radio-Canada the funding it needs to carry out its mission in this country's cities and regions?
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