Speeches and Interviews

February 3, 2005

Notes for Remarks by Jane Chalmers to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

Notes for Remarks by Jane Chalmers, Vice-President, CBC Radio, to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage

(Check against delivery)

Thank you, Sylvain.

Canadians place a high value on CBC Radio. Our services are unique on the dial. Canadians tell us that tuning in TO CBC Radio wherever they happen to be is an authentic and indispensable Canadian experience. Qualitative surveys show listener approval ratings of 96%. Such levels are unprecedented in broadcasting.

Our Radio service is the product of talented and committed professionals. Our focus is program excellence. Our success is recognized through awards and exposure of our programming around the world. Canadian content…Canadian perspective…Canadian artistic expression…around the world.

Today…I focus on the foundation that defines our national Radio service, that being our regional stations. Our national airwaves are in large part defined by our commitment in over 50 Canadian communities. In News and information, our stations explore local perspective, opinion and events. In arts and culture, they discover the best of local music, drama, literature and other forms. Through these grass-roots contributions, the national services are a distinct and evolving daily portrait of Canada.

The cornerstone of our approach is the ongoing effort to ensure that local stations look, feel and sound like the communities they serve. Our programs must therefore reflect the diversity of cultural backgrounds, political opinion, social and economic policy, age, education, artistic expression, etc. This commitment must live in our hiring practices, ongoing program evaluation by staff and listeners and dialogue and partnerships with civic and cultural organizations.

To reinforce our commitment to the regions that define Canada, we have decentralized our service. We have moved parts or complete national shows out of Toronto to Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver and Atlantic Canada. This process is ongoing.

Finally, and this is the most difficult objective for us, we are focused on expanding our service to unserved communities. This country is growing and changing.

The shifts of a mobile population are combining with immigration to create thriving, dynamic new urban centREs. These communities want and need local CBC Radio service. I would argue that their inclusion will enrich both CBC Radio and the country.

There are now 25 cities in Canada with populations exceeding 50 thousand without CBC Radio service. That's 3 million people unable to have access to local news coverage and cultural programs. Our vision of the future has radio in all these cities and more. This is a centerpiece of our regional strategy.

Our ability to maintain our current service, however is in serious jeopardy. Even without budget cuts, the annual creep on our finances is at least 2%. After years of cuts, redirection, implementing technology and efficiencies, we are at the limits of our ability to continually absorb these pressures.

We have a vision of embracing all segments and sectors of Canadian society.

We have a vision of being a driving force in promoting Canadian culture. To fulfill that vision, radio must be able to connect with Canadians in all communities…and to connect, we need the tools to do the job.

Thank you. I'd like to hand it off to Richard, Executive Vice-President, CBC Television.