Incoming CBC head non-committal on bonuses as she takes the helm, pledges to listen to Canadians

The incoming president and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada appeared before the House of Commons committee on Canadian heritage on Wednesday, Nov. 27. Marie-Philippe Bouchard told the committee she could not answer many of the questions posed to her by Members of Parliament because she does not take up her new duties until early January. Bouchard said her priorities are listening to Canadians, rebuilding local news, and transparency in compensation at the Crown corporation. Bouchard spent more than 20 years at the public broadcaster until she was appointed CEO of specialty network TV5 nine years ago. She concedes she is entering a different CBC workplace than the one she departed nearly a decade ago. “The organization has changed and has continued to transform since I left almost nine years ago. I know that,” she said in her opening statement. “That’s why I want to take the time to listen to employees, to stakeholders, and most importantly, to Canadians, users and non-users of the various services CBC/Radio-Canada provides.” She vowed to listen and analyze what people tell her in the early days. Conservative members of the committee continue to hammer about the payment of bonuses to senior management at the corporation. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has pledged to defund the English-language service of the CBC should his party come into power in the next federal election. He has indicated he would leave the French-language Radio-Canada intact. The new CEO would not take the bait. Bouchard stated it is healthy to have a discussion about salaries. She does not have access to that data at this time, she added. She revealed that she drew bonuses as part of her pay package at TV5. “It’s hard for me to be outraged without information,” Bouchard proclaimed. READ MORE: - CBC head Tait grilled once again on executive pay, exit package - CBC CEO Catherine Tait not worried for broadcaster’s longevity Bouchard acknowledged that the situation facing all broadcasters is bleak but sees some hope on the horizon. “I think everything’s a challenge these days if you’re a broadcaster. That’s from experience,” she said. “So I expect that at CBC/Radio-Canada there are big challenges. I also think there are big developments that have occurred over the recent years, especially in the digital market, and that CBC/Radio-Canada have been leaders in this area and certainly other broadcasters have benefited from what CBC/Radio-Canada has accomplished.” Non-Conservative MPs peppered Bouchard with questions about what defunding the public broadcaster could mean in the long term. Some conditions of licence could not be fulfilled, she opined, and more job losses cannot be ruled out. Speaking at the same committee earlier this week, current president Catherine Tait avowed there would be no layoffs in the near future. Bouchard noted that she has not personally heard people call for cutting money to the CBC. Bouchard was part of a panel advising Minister of Canadian Heritage Pascale St-Onge on the mandate of the Crown corporation. Asked about its findings, Bouchard replied that the report is confidential and all information must come from the minister herself. She discounted a suggestion that the broadcaster stop running advertising as part of its news broadcasts on television. She countered that the Canadian advertising industry needs outlets to show their wares and CBC/Radio-Canada should be among them. She said she is hopeful as she assumes the new position. She was succinct when discussing why she agreed to take on the role. “I have public broadcasting at heart,” Bouchard maintained. “I’ve been doing this for a long time.” Earlier in the day, committee chair and Liberal MP Hedy Fry (Vancouver Centre, B.C.) tabled a report in the house on holding a national forum on the media. The study recommended such a discussion take place and called on the government to support local journalism. It also wants the problem of media deserts – places without access to local news – to be addressed. The Conservatives and the NDP filed dissenting opinions on the report. The Tory statement in its entirety was: “Defund the CBC.” The New Democrats want greater focus paid to news deserts. ppark@thewirereport.ca

Incoming CBC head non-committal on bonuses as she takes the helm, pledges to listen to Canadians

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By Paul Park
| November 28, 2024

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By Paul Park
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