Bloc Québécois calls on federal government to support private broadcasters following TVA layoffs

Two Bloc Québécois MPs are calling on the government to assist private broadcasting in the wake of another round of layoffs at TVA. The issue was raised during Question Period on Tuesday, Nov. 18. “Quebecor announced last week that it is laying off 87 employees in its media division. Over the past two years, nearly 800 people have lost their jobs at TVA,” Christine Normandin (Saint-Jean, Que.) stated in French. “That is a tragedy for Quebec culture. It is a tragedy for news diversity in Quebec. Quebec's largest private television network is teetering on the brink, and Ottawa is just watching it die a slow death. “How many more layoffs will it take before the government wakes up?” Steven Guilbeault (Laurier–Sainte-Marie, Que.), the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, acknowledged the hardship facing the TVA workers but turned the tables on the BQ. “Our thoughts are certainly with the families and communities affected by these job losses,” he replied, according to a translation. “However, my Bloc Québécois colleague's question might have been more relevant if the Bloc Québécois had not voted against the most important budget in the history of the country, which includes funding for local journalism. The member opposite is rising in the House to say that what is happening is so unfortunate, while also voting against investments for local journalism in Quebec and across Canada. I cannot understand it.” In her follow-up, Normandin stressed the importance of TVA to Quebec culture, saying it broadcasts Quebecers’ stories and sparks debate. “The Liberals are talking about historic investments in culture, but there is not a penny for TVA. The government does not care about them,” she offered. “That is the message that the Liberals are sending to the people at TVA. These same Liberals are the only ones who refused to appear on TVA, which was asking for money because it has run out.” Guilbeault answered with a litany of groups who did get money from the recent budget. “There is $150 million for CBC/Radio-Canada, Quebec's largest cultural producer. The Bloc voted against that,” he riposted. “There is $26 million for the National Film Board of Canada, which is located in Montreal, and the Bloc voted against that. There is $127 million for the Canada Media Fund and $48 million for the Canada Music Fund. The Bloc voted against all these cultural initiatives in Quebec and across the country.” The BQ Culture critic said those figures were beside the point. “There is nothing for private broadcasters,” Martin Champoux (Drummond, Que.) noted. “In order to please the very powerful American president, the Prime Minister decided to abolish the digital services tax. The revenue from that tax could have been used to create a fund to provide long-term support to the cultural and media sectors. That would have helped TVA, which is in great need. Not only did the Liberals refuse to create a fund, but they also did absolutely nothing to secure the future of private television in Quebec and Canada.” Steven MacKinnon (Gatineau, Que.), the Minister of Transport and Government Leader in the House, took it upon himself to reply to Champoux. “Like my colleague who just listed the budget points that highlight our achievements and commitments to culture, I am baffled to see that Bloc members are demanding landing strips, ports, docks in Saguenay, investments in major projects, support for health care and housing in Quebec and then, oops, they cross the bridge over the Ottawa River and vote against all of that,” he said. At the same time, CBC/Radio-Canada was coming under fire in the Senate’s Question Period. Conservative Senator Salma Ataullahjan castigated the Crown corporation for withholding subscriber numbers to its Gem streaming service while at the same time promoting Canada to enter the Eurovision song competition. “How does subsidizing European content, while rewarding secrecy and incompetence, amount to defending Canadian culture and sovereignty?,” she asked government leader in the Senate Pierre Moreau. “CBC/Radio-Canada is a vital source of news and entertainment for Canadians nationwide and is the only outlet that delivers news in English, French, eight Indigenous languages and seven other languages,” he declared. “The government promised Canadians a strong public broadcaster and better access to local news. It is what they expect from the government, and that’s what the government is going to deliver.” ppark@thewirereport.ca

Bloc Québécois calls on federal government to support private broadcasters following TVA layoffs

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By Paul Park
|November 19, 2025

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Bloc Québécois calls on federal government to support private broadcasters following TVA layoffs

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