The CBC

Rant 1: The CBC

Back in the late 1930s, the Canadian government set up the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) to combat the heavy influence of American culture infiltrating Canada. Since we had a much smaller population than the US, it was far easier for them to produce radio programming for much cheaper. Thus, the government created the CBC, a publicly owned radio channel. Later, the CBC adopted to television and today has programming and channels in both French and English and on the radio and television. Today, the CBC has CBC Radio 1, 2 and 3, CBC North, CBC Newsworld, various local stations (Toronto, Winnipeg, Regina, Montreal, etc), Radio-Canada (in Quebec) and other channels. In doing so, the CBC has an extensive budget, 1.1 Billion dollars coming from the federal government.
The mandate of the CBC is to essentially offer Canadian content on television and radio and be commercial free, atleast on the radio.
Today, with the current economic ‘crisis,’ the CBC has come under difficult times in that falling advertising revenues have heavily impacted the operating budget of the Crown Corporation.
Knowing that, here’s my views on the CBC.
The CBC was, as previously mentioned, set up to show case Canada. It was created to allow Canadians, no matter where in the country they reside or travel, access to Canadian content was easily available. Also, it was a means to unite Canadians from coast to coast to coast- this means that a more unified Canadian culture would be created. As is, there are vast differences between the people of British Columbia, Ontario and PEI- I mean look at the size of this country. It’s massive. There are bound to be differences and if we are suppose to be a united country, then there is a need ot unite is in various ways. The CBC is a way of doing that, rather cheaply.
Over the years, the CBC has done an excellent job at showcasing Canada- when I was younger, I remember there being short clips of Canada: the national anthem with a seagull flying across Canada, the Log Driver’s Waltz (look it up on youtube if you don’t know what I am talking about), etc. Over the years programming has changed, but there is still a heavy aspect of Canadian content: Air Farce, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, The Red Green Show, Rick Mercer Report, Being Erica,  The Fifth Estate, Morningside, The Vinyl Cafe, etc. In some way, all of these television and radio shows showcase Canada in some way. They poke fun at our quirks, they make us think about ourselves in terms of…oh riiight that is a stereotype. They are all shows to make us laugh, think, and induldge. Stuart McLean, based in Toronto, has a show, The Vinyl Cafe. Regardless of where it is broadcast in Canada, all Canadians can relate to it in some way. It is programming like this that has allowed Canada to remain united and more family-like. The CBC has been a gateway for Canadian content to showcase ourselves to Canada and the world.
Another aspect of the CBC is that it is free. Because it is a Crown Corporation, the people of Canada are guaranteed free access, on the web, radio and tv. Because there was an understanding that not everyone has access to cable, internet, satellite, etc, one can access CBC free on the radio, and peasant vision. Despite economic standing, all Canadians can enjoy the fruits of the CBC.
Today, with the current economic crisis, the CBC is facing financial shortfalls. The Conservative government of Stephen Harper is refusing to give anymore money to the Crown Corporation because 1.1 Billion dollars is too much as is. However, in the UK, Australia, and other countries, their gov’t owned broadcasting corporations receive far larger operating grants. Apparently in Canada the government believes that money comes before the people, and ourselves.
Today, the CBC is facing layoffs, cut backs in news, sports, weather, etc coverage as well as a merge and reduction in operatin budgest across the board. CBC Radio 2 (mainly Classical music) and CBC Radio 3 (CANADIAN indy music) have now had their recording budgets merged and slashed by 50%. Aspiring artists across Canada who used to get to share their music in the CANADIAN station will no longer get the chance to, all because of an ideological decision made in Ottawa; the people are going to suffer.
Europe encourages cultural growth- look at their preservation of their past and the strong understanding of their histories! In Canada we lack that desire or knowledge. Instead, we live by the might dollar. If we can’t afford it, cut it. Cultural living is not as important as balancing a budget.
In my opinion, no matter what kind of economic situation, one cannot skimp on developing a national culture; the people cannot lose who they are, just because the dollar slips or revenues slip a little. The future cultural minds of this country are being lost because we aren’t giving them the chance to excell or grow. There is a growing reversal in thinking: a greater importance is being placed on the 3-Rs in education- music, shop, art, dance, etc classes are being cut because they don’t have a direct economical value attached to them. However, I would say that the likes of Dan Aykyroid, Luba Goy, Rick Mercer, Mary Walsh, Stuart McLean, John Candy, Peter Mansbridge, etc all have added something else to this country- something that there can’t be a monetary value added. They have given us entertainment, they have given us the ability to laugh at ourselves, to reflect on ourselves, to show the world that we can produce some of the funniest people in history. So many of the great comedians in recent memory are/were Canadian.
We have alot ot be proud of in this country- we just need to get over our modesty and demand the Harper government give more money to the CBC to allow for the great programming that is has on it’s guide. We need to urge the government to understand that we want more Canadian programming and NOT one that is based on ratings. Instead, we want programming that allows us to showcase our potential in the arts. If we lose who we are, we lose Canada. If we don’t have the CBC, we are nothing more than Americans- there isn’t much separating us as is- we need to hold on to our differences as much as we possibly can.
We can lose this country if we aren’t careful. There are already mechanisms in place which could see a continental union in the next 15 years- while it has worked in Europe, if will be horribly distorted here in North America. With one dominant country (the US) both Canada and Mexico will be forced to comply with American culture and demands- we WILL lose who we are if we aren’t careful.
This is not the time to forget who we are: we are Canadians. We are on the bes countries on this planet with the potential to achieve so much more- but if Canada ceases to exist, our potential, spirit and efforst will be muted in the world.
We need a strong, unifying force. The CBC is the best way to achieve unity in Canada for everyone has access to it, regardless of income level.
Canada and teh CBC are at a cross-roads. If we aren’t careful, we will lose the trasure set-up in the 1930s to combat US culture. We will be dominated. It’s time to stand up for Canada and demand that the fedral government do more to preserve who we are and what we stand for.