CBC leads ‘get the facts’ attack on Quebecor

Quebecor Media Inc. has received more than half a billion dollars in direct and indirect government subsidies over the past three years “but is not accountable” to Canadian taxpayers, CBC/Radio-Canada said on its website Tuesday. The broadcaster made the statement in a post on its “Get The Facts” webpage, where it responds to critical or inaccurate media reports. In a counter-offensive attack on its competitor, CBC said Quebecor uses public subsidies and a “dominant position in protected industries to make record profits yet complains that its TVA television network 'competes' against Radio-Canada.” The CBC added that “Quebecor boss Pierre Karl Péladeau has sent over a dozen letters to the Prime Minister and others in government to complain that Radio-Canada does not spend enough money advertising in his newspapers.” The post on the CBC website comes as Conservative MPs on the House of Commons ethics committee are spearheading a study about the CBC's transparency under the Access to Information Act and its withholding of records from Information Commissioner Suzanne Legault. Quebecor and Conservative MPs have criticized the CBC for a lack of transparency. The CBC is withholding records under an exception under the act that covers information about journalistic or programming activities. The QMI news agency, owned by Quebecor, has filed hundreds of potentially embarrassing information requests about CBC spending. A court battle over the exception is now being fought at the Federal Court of Appeal. Quebecor CEO Péladeau is scheduled to appear before the ethics committee Thursday morning.

CBC leads ‘get the facts’ attack on Quebecor

Brief | October 19, 2011

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