CBC/Radio-Canada is pleased to see that in the 2011-2012 Federal Budget tabled today, the Government of Canada announced that the investment of $60 million in funding that CBC/Radio-Canada been receiving since 2001 for Canadian programming initiatives has been renewed for another year.
“This is great news for Canadians who look to CBC/Radio-Canada for high quality Canadian programming on television, radio and the Internet,” says Hubert T. Lacroix, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. “Given the financial challenges of the past few years, we are very grateful to the Government for this important reinvestment in public broadcasting, and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable James Moore, for going to bat once again for CBC/Radio-Canada and for being a passionate supporter of the Corporation and of our programming.”
Last month, the Corporation unveiled Everyone, Every Way, a five-year strategy to position the public broadcaster for the future. In it, the Corporation has committed to an expansion of its regional coverage, a doubling of its investment in digital platforms, and offering more original Canadian programming, including a minimum of ten “signature events” per year.
The continued stability in funding, including the renewal of the $60 million, is crucial to the implementation of the Corporation’s strategy.
CBC/Radio-Canada is also pleased that the Government is renewing its investment of $100 million in the Canada Media Fund. This Fund is vital to the ability of independent producers to continue creating new Canadian programs that the public broadcaster showcases in prime time – when most Canadians can see them.
