Prime Minister claims CBC is under financial pressure

Despite receiving $1.2 billion annually from Canadian taxpayers, the Department of Canadian Heritage claims the CBC is under immense financial pressure.

“The Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges of covering it put immense pressure on CBC’s workforce, operations, finances and systems,” said the April 20 briefing note Funding Support For The CBC.

“The postponement of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics also put additional pressure on its cash flow.”

Apparently, CBC revenue was in freefall even before the pandemic. Between 2014 and 2019, revenue collapsed a whopping 53%. As of 2019, only 4 percent of Canadians regularly watch CBC, with 0.8% tuning into evening broadcasts.

Despite this, CBC still receives $1.2 billion annually from taxpayers, and the Trudeau government recently gave the state broadcaster an additional $21 million in its latest budget.

“Budget 2021 proposes to provide $21 million in 2021-22 as immediate operational support to the CBC/Radio-Canada,” the budget document reads.

“This funding will ensure its stability during the pandemic and enable it to continue providing news and entertainment programming that keeps Canadians informed.”