CBC President Catherine Tait has revealed that the public broadcaster is not actively planning for the possibility of a future Conservative government cancelling its public subsidy. In an interview with CBC Radio’s The House, Tait emphasized the importance of focusing on convincing Canadians of the CBC’s value rather than speculating on potential defunding scenarios.
Despite concerns about declining ad revenues and political debates over its future, Tait remains committed to transforming CBC/Radio-Canada into a more efficient and valuable service. She cited polling data showing strong support for the CBC among Canadians, despite some minority support for defunding.
Tait’s comments come amid ongoing discussions about the CBC’s future, with Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre advocating for defunding the broadcaster. Tait has been vocal in defending the CBC’s role as a critical public institution, despite criticism from political opponents.
The issue of bonuses for CBC employees has also been a point of contention, with Tait facing scrutiny for not committing to refusing her own bonus. She defended the practice of performance-based bonuses as standard in Crown corporations and emphasized the need to follow established procedures.
Looking ahead, Tait emphasized the importance of making strategic choices with limited resources and welcomed a review of the CBC’s mandate. She highlighted the CBC’s role in serving under-served communities, including those in the North, Indigenous communities, and minority language communities.
As Tait’s tenure as CBC President comes to an end next year, she remains focused on ensuring the broadcaster continues to play a critical role in Canadian society and serves the diverse needs of its audience.