News Releases

May 25, 1999

Canadians Want More CBC

Ottawa —­ CBC Chair Guylaine Saucier and President and CEO Perrin Beatty kicked off the first CBC presentation at the CRTC's hearings on the CBC today by making a strong case for public broadcasting. CBC's overview presentation of its long-term corporate strategy for the public broadcaster was buttressed by overwhelming support among the approximately 4500 interventions received by the CRTC ­ a record number for the review of any single broadcast undertaking. These sentiments are in line with recent surveys indicating a broad base of public support for CBC and its performance in meeting its mandate.

These opinions echo those expressed by the many Canadians who participated in the CRTC's regional consultations on the CBC, held last March. The vast majority of those Canadians indicated their desire for more CBC, not less.

"The role of the public broadcaster in linking Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast, is more essential than ever before, precisely because of massive technological and organizational transformations occurring in the broadcasting industry in Canada and around the world." said Guylaine Saucier. "Now more than ever Canadians need a strong public broadcaster to ensure that their distinct Canadian voices are heard over the global din. The CBC, whether on radio, on the Internet or on television plays that role, and we are heartened that Canadians clearly support it."

The Chair and the President were the main presenters in the opening round of the hearings looking at the renewal of 31 of CBC's licences. The licence renewal hearings began today in Hull. Over the next three weeks, the CRTC will review CBC's applications for its English and French Television and Radio networks, Newsworld, RDI and 25 regional television licences. Over 100 intervenors representing broadcasters, cultural industries, community organizations and individual citizens will make oral presentations to the CRTC on CBC's applications during the three-week hearing period.

The CBC's strategic plan calls for a more pan-Canadian reflection across all services, greater flexibility in developing new services to better serve Canadians with Canadian content, and a stronger regional presence.

"We are asking the CRTC to recognize the essential role the CBC plays within the Canadian broadcasting system and the Canadian cultural fabric. The Canadian broadcast system is built on a foundation which includes both public and private elements. This system still serves Canadians well, and the role of our national public broadcaster is more relevant today than ever before, given the CBC's goal of building bridges between Canadians, and giving them a truly Canadian perspective on their country and the world," Perrin Beatty commented.

The hearings continue tomorrow with the presentation on CBC French Television.

About CBC/Radio-Canada

CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. CBC/Radio-Canada reaches Canadians through eight national radio and television networks, its full-service Web sites, local/regional stations and affiliates, as well as the digital television channel Country Canada and the continuous music network Galaxie. In addition, CBC/Radio-Canada has forged partnerships with other broadcasters and is a partner in the satellite radio service SIRIUS Canada as well as in the specialty television services ARTV and The Documentary Channel. Through this array of activities, CBC/Radio-Canada brings diverse regional and cultural perspectives into the daily lives of Canadians in English, French and eight aboriginal languages. (2006)

For additional information, please contact:

Katherine Heath-Eves
Media Relations
CBC/Radio-Canada (Ottawa)
Tel: (613) 288-6235
heathevk@cbc.ca
www.cbc.radio-canada.ca