Harper Killing The CBC

[Oscar]

Ads on CBC

March 19, 2009

Right Hon. Stephen Harper
Prime Minister of Canada
80 Wellington Street
Ontario Ottawa K1A 0A2

Dear Prime Minister Harper,

I have listened to CBC radio for over thirty years and among the many reasons I enjoy CBC radio are not having to listen to commercials and knowing it is a public service.

I listened recently with great interest to videos aired on the fiftieth anniversary of CBC radio which articulated the imperatives of a public radio service not driven by commercial interests. These arguments are all the more important today as the global economy collapses and corporate enterprises including radio, television and newspaper companies subject to the rules of the market place collapse. In these perilous times Canadians must have access to public radio service to keep us informed, to have input into debate as the flaws and failures of the corporate global economic system become apparent and to be able to access important security broadcasts at a time in history when security is being redefined with so many faces.

The CBC in its early days helped to generate vibrant discussions across the county - and we must ensure that it does so into the future. The hallmarks of a public system demand that commercial interests do not direct programming or the essential service; however once there is a foot in the door that does begin to happen.

Your government is out of step with Canadians concerns and with the present international perspectives on progressive responses demanded by the global issues we face. One of the imperatives is a strong public broadcaster which does not weaken its mandate by corporate influence and annoying ads which degenerate the service.

I hope you agree that putting ads on CBC Radio will lead to the deterioration of this valuable public service and that you will address this issue immediately by ensuring that CBC radio does not succumb to such a destructive policy for a needed public service.

Sincerely,
Janet M. Eaton
133 Main St.
Wolfville Nova Scotia
B4P 1C2
cc:


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[2] On 19 Mar 2009 at 7:45, Hon. Scott Brison wrote:

From: "Hon. Scott Brison" <kings.hants@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: <jmeaton@ns.sympatico.ca>
Subject: CBC
Date sent: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:45:12 -0300

Thank you for your letter concerning the Government's recent comments about the possibility of allowing the CBC/Radio-Canada to air advertising.

As you know, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, James Moore, appeared before members of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage on February 9th and implied that he was open to the idea of allowing the CBC/Radio-Canada to broadcast advertising as a means of generating additional revenues.

The Liberal Party believes that advertising is not an appropriate solution to the problem of funding the national broadcaster, and that the role and mandate of the CBC/Radio-Canada must be preserved.

Minister Moore´s comments show he is improvising policy and still fails to grasp the broadcasting issue; otherwise, he would have realized that Canadians who listen to public radio do not want advertising. CBC/Radio-Canada executives have said they do not intend to broadcast advertising and plan to raise additional funds by other means.

The Liberal Party has the utmost respect for the national broadcaster and will do its part to ensure that advertising is not aired on public radio.

Furthermore, we will work to obtain a firm commitment from the Conservative government to ensure that CBC/Radio-Canada receives adequate government funding.

Once again, thank you for informing me of your opinion on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Scott Brison
Member of Parliament
Kings-Hants
www.brison.ca

(902) 542-4010
(902) 542-4184

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[3] Date sent: Thu, 19 Mar 2009 07:38:58 -0400 (EDT)
From: Ian Morrison - FRIENDS <friends@friends.ca>
To: jmeaton@ns.sympatico.ca
Subject: Thank you for taking action

Thank you very much for sending your letter. For your records a copy
of your message is attached.

Please help us spread the word about this campaign by sending a note
to your friends and family asking them to watch the 'Stop Ads on CBC
Radio" video at www.friends.ca.

Regards,
Ian Morrison
Spokesperson
FRIENDS of Canadian Broadcasting

PLEASE TAKE ACTION !! JME

[Oscar]

Scrap the Military budget and restore funding for necessary social programs and for CBC

From: Joan Russow
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2009 9:19 AM

The Conservative minority government is willing to sacrifice lives and meaningful jobs for what - the participation in the ill-conceived invasion and occupation of Afghanistan and for other military intrigues.

Over 10% (over $20 billion) of the revenue available for Federal programs is spent each year on militarism.

In 1976, Canada, along with all the other member states of the United Nations, agreed to the following:

"The waste and misuse of resources in war and armaments should be prevented. All countries should make a firm commitment to promote general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control…" (II, 12 Habitat 1).

But what programs does the Conservative minority government target: the CBC.

What will be next?

During difficult economic times, it is time to re-establish spending priorities, and target wasteful and destructive practices, not programs that bring the country together..

Joan Russow

[Oscar]

New Democrats support the CBC

From: <laytoj@parl.gc.ca>
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 10:52 AM

Thank you contacting my office in support of maintaining the CBC as our national public broadcaster.

Like you, many Canadians have written to express their interest in quality CBC programming and their deep concerns over the slew of changes the Harper government has been trying to make to the CBC.

In contrast to this negative government action, New Democrats have fought to strengthen the ability of CBC and Radio Canada to deliver superior programming with demands for secure and adequate funding.

We will continue to advance these issues on your behalf. Specifically, NDP Heritage and Culture critic Charlie Angus is a forceful advocate for the CBC and you can find out more about his work at: http://charlieangus.net/ and
http://charlieangus.net/houseitem.php?id=109

Our commitment to Canadian public broadcasting complements our strong support for arts and culture as outlined in our 2008 election platform at: http://www.ndp.ca/platform/otherpriorit ... ingculture

Some highlights of our plan include:
- Reforming the CRTC to ensure that prime time television in French and in English is written, directed, stars, and is about Canada and Canadians.
- Protecting and properly funding Telefilm and the Canadian Television Fund.
- Maintaining with adequate funding, the Canada Council.
- Introducing income-averaging for artists, modeled directly on long-standing practice in the province of Quebec.
- Providing an annual federal tax exemption of $20,000 for income earned from copyright and residuals income.
- Reversing Mr. Harper's $45 million cutback to culture.

Please be assured that Canada's New Democrats understand the value of having public broadcasting and arts initiatives to help promote Canada's cultural identity both at home and abroad.

Feel free to pass along this email to anyone who may be interested.

All the best.

Sincerely,

Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada's New Democrats