High 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 concerning the plan to chop 600 jobs and never fill 200 vacancies over the following yr.
“We’re conscious of the issues which were expressed following the announcement of cuts at CBC/Radio-Canada, in addition to questions on remuneration, significantly senior government compensation tied to efficiency,” the assertion learn.
“To be clear, all potential measures are being thought-about 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 every year.
Political leaders have expressed concern concerning the impression 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.
“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 that, like we do all our line objects within the coming months.”
Following her remarks, CBC spokesperson Leon Mar stated that the broadcaster wouldn’t be reconsidering the bonuses it could have paid beneath present contracts.
Paperwork launched beneath access-to-information requests present that between 2015 and final yr, greater than $99 million was paid out in bonuses to staff on the public broadcaster, together with $16 million paid to greater than 1,000 staff in 2022.
In keeping with CBC, such funds are a part of what it calls a “short-term incentive plan” meant to encourage staff 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 concerning 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 could be applicable for CBC executives to obtain bonuses whereas it plans to chop its workforce.
With the Home of Commons making ready to pause for the vacations, Tait’s look is predicted to occur in 2024.