Prime CBC executives stated Friday they’re contemplating choices to handle the broadcaster’s monetary pressures, together with a more in-depth take a look at “senior government compensation,” following plans to slash 10 per cent of the general public broadcaster’s workforce.
CBC/Radio-Canada head Catherine Tait and 7 CBC vice-presidents launched a quick assertion that afternoon, after MPs of various political stripes voiced issues in regards to the plan to chop 600 jobs and never fill 200 vacancies over the subsequent yr.
“We’re conscious of the issues which have been expressed following the announcement of cuts at CBC/Radio-Canada, in addition to questions on remuneration, notably senior government compensation tied to efficiency,” the assertion learn.
“To be clear, all attainable measures are being thought of within the context of managing our monetary pressures within the months forward, together with senior government compensation.”
Tait introduced job cuts earlier within the week, saying the transfer was essential to make up for a $125-million shortfall.
As a Crown company, CBC operates independently of Parliament. It receives roughly $1 billion in federal funding annually.
Political leaders have expressed concern in regards to the affect the job cuts can have on its programming, particularly for French-language audiences each in Quebec and outdoors the province.
Tait drew additional criticism after saying on CBC’s The Nationwide that it was “too early” to say whether or not executives would obtain bonuses this yr.
Catherine Tait, the president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada, talks to Adrienne Arsenault in regards to the company saying it would lower roughly 10 per cent of the workforce and what distinction Canadians will discover.
“It is too early to say the place we’re for this yr,” Tait replied to a query from host Adrienne Arsenault. “We’ll be taking a look at that, like we do all our line gadgets within the coming months.”
Following her remarks, CBC spokesperson Leon Mar stated that the broadcaster wouldn’t be reconsidering the bonuses it will have paid underneath current contracts.
Paperwork launched underneath access-to-information requests present that between 2015 and final yr, greater than $99 million was paid out in bonuses to workers on the public broadcaster, together with $16 million paid to greater than 1,000 workers in 2022.
Based on CBC, such funds are a part of what it calls a “short-term incentive plan” meant to encourage workers to hit or surpass enterprise targets.
Of their assertion on Friday, the senior executives stated they’re “dedicated to minimizing the impact of cuts on our packages and companies to Canadians and on our workforce.”
On Thursday, MPs on the parliamentary heritage committee voted to have Tait testify in regards to the deliberate cuts and her assertion that the broadcaster had not dominated out paying bonuses.
Liberal, Conservative and New Democrat MPs on the committee stated they didn’t really feel it will be applicable for CBC executives to obtain bonuses whereas it plans to chop its workforce.
With the Home of Commons getting ready to pause for the vacations, Tait’s look is anticipated to occur in 2024.
