A simple apology would have saved taxpayers more than $1 million in legal fees and damages after Radio-Canada lost a defamation suit against a Quebec filmmaker in 2008.
But instead of a public mea culpa, Radio-Canada racked up $1,074,515 in legal fees and $200,000 in moral damages fighting and losing the lawsuit, according to figures obtained by Montreal's La Presse newspaper.
Read the full story.
cbcexposed is all about exposing the waste of the CBC ... over 1 billion dollars a year of taxpayer money funds the cbc and a lot of that taxpayer money is wasted.
CBC PENSION PLAN - 2011 HIGHLIGHTS
CBC Receives $1 BILLION per year of Taxpayer Money ... here are some more facts:
CBC PENSION PLAN - 2011 HIGHLIGHTS
Read the full document.
CBC PENSION PLAN - 2011 HIGHLIGHTS
- Net Assets now exceed $5 billion, reaching $5,067 million at year-end (2010 - $4,561 million)
- Fund administrative costs were $23 million
- Overall member service satisfaction levels of the Pension Benefits Administration Centre remain high with 92% (2010 – 92%) of the members surveyed rating services as excellent or good.
Read the full document.
CBC failed to properly distribute pension plan surplus ...
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation violated collective agreements when it distributed only a portion of a pension plan surplus earmarked for employees and retirees, an arbitrator has found.
In a 131-page ruling, arbitrator Denis Nadeau states that the CBC erred by not following the recommendation of the Consultative Committee on Staff Benefits (CCSB), which had made a proposal to distribute the money equitably. The CCSB had determined that $336 million of the $1.1-billion pension plan surplus should be available to employees and retirees. The CBC distributed only $134 million.
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In a 131-page ruling, arbitrator Denis Nadeau states that the CBC erred by not following the recommendation of the Consultative Committee on Staff Benefits (CCSB), which had made a proposal to distribute the money equitably. The CCSB had determined that $336 million of the $1.1-billion pension plan surplus should be available to employees and retirees. The CBC distributed only $134 million.
Read the full story.
Many CBC television shows are painfully boring to watch ...
Forget Ambien, I’ve discovered a 100%-effective, all-natural cure for insomnia: CBC’s primetime programming schedule.
Don’t worry, it’s been extensively tested – by me – and I can guarantee you it works. Between the bland, insipid comedies recycling jokes that would have been stale in 1982 and the endless rotation of mind-numbingly boring reality shows, it’s safe to say that CBC’s primetime shows couldn’t be any less exciting even if they were actively trying.
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Don’t worry, it’s been extensively tested – by me – and I can guarantee you it works. Between the bland, insipid comedies recycling jokes that would have been stale in 1982 and the endless rotation of mind-numbingly boring reality shows, it’s safe to say that CBC’s primetime shows couldn’t be any less exciting even if they were actively trying.
Read the full story.
CBC's budget cut by $115-million - license renewal will begin Nov. 19
Hearings on CBC/Radio-Canada's license renewal will begin Nov. 19 in Gatineau, Que. The deadline to submit interventions/answers is Oct. 5 and the broadcaster must respond to them by Oct. 15.
CBC's license renewal hearings were originally scheduled for Sept. 2011, but were postponed in order to give the broadcaster sufficient time to gather data the CRTC needed as well as figure out its future operating budget. The hearings were then scheduled to take place in June 2012, but were once again postponed as the federal budget loomed and CBC faced uncertainty as to its funding moving forward.
The federal government slashed CBC's budget by $115-million over three years in its budget released in March.
Read the full story.
CBC's license renewal hearings were originally scheduled for Sept. 2011, but were postponed in order to give the broadcaster sufficient time to gather data the CRTC needed as well as figure out its future operating budget. The hearings were then scheduled to take place in June 2012, but were once again postponed as the federal budget loomed and CBC faced uncertainty as to its funding moving forward.
The federal government slashed CBC's budget by $115-million over three years in its budget released in March.
Read the full story.
CBC, with 22 lawyers, spent almost $900Gs on outside help to fight lawsuit ...
Despite having 22 lawyers on staff, CBC spent close to $900,000 on top-flight lawyers from an outside firm to fight a lawsuit that could have been settled with an apology.
As has previously been reported, CBC's legal costs to defend a lawsuit brought by filmmakers Claude Fournier and Marie-Jose Raymond topped $1 million. But new documents released by the state broadcaster show the legal firm Borden, Ladner, Gervais billed $871,769.03 for its services.
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As has previously been reported, CBC's legal costs to defend a lawsuit brought by filmmakers Claude Fournier and Marie-Jose Raymond topped $1 million. But new documents released by the state broadcaster show the legal firm Borden, Ladner, Gervais billed $871,769.03 for its services.
Read the full story.
Proof of CBC waste keeps piling up ...
If you didn’t already think the CBC should be sold off, then news this week should have you thinking twice about whether Canada actually needs a state broadcaster.
Newly released documents show that taxpayers spent a fortune last year for CBC workers not to show up for work, another small fortune was paid to high-priced lawyers, while another set of documents showed them continuing their secret ways.
CBC spent more than a million dollars defending a lawsuit that could have been settled with an apology. Most of that money we discovered this week went to outside contract lawyers. CBC enriched the law firm of Borden, Ladner, Gervais with almost $900,000 of taxpayers money when they could have settled the lawsuit with filmmakers Claude Fournier and Marie-Jose Raymond just by saying “I’m sorry.”
Oh, and of course, I forgot to add they hired the outside legal firm despite having 22 lawyers on staff. They do this all the time.
Read the full story.
Newly released documents show that taxpayers spent a fortune last year for CBC workers not to show up for work, another small fortune was paid to high-priced lawyers, while another set of documents showed them continuing their secret ways.
CBC spent more than a million dollars defending a lawsuit that could have been settled with an apology. Most of that money we discovered this week went to outside contract lawyers. CBC enriched the law firm of Borden, Ladner, Gervais with almost $900,000 of taxpayers money when they could have settled the lawsuit with filmmakers Claude Fournier and Marie-Jose Raymond just by saying “I’m sorry.”
Oh, and of course, I forgot to add they hired the outside legal firm despite having 22 lawyers on staff. They do this all the time.
Read the full story.
CBC workers absent twice as often as private sector workers ...
Canadians paid nearly $18 million in one year for CBC employees who failed to show up to work.
A report prepared for CBC's board of directors — which QMI Agency obtained through Access to Information — shows CBC workers were absent almost twice as often as private sector workers in fiscal year 2010-2011.
According to the document, CBC employees were absent from work an average of 16.5 days. Statistics Canada figures in the report show public sector workers took an average of 12.6 days off while private sector workers took 8.9 days.
The total cost to taxpayers for absenteeism at the state broadcaster was $17.7 million for the year.
The report cites mental disorders as the leading cause of absenteeism (31% of all short-term absences and 44.6% of all long-term absences). The second leading cause was listed as "musculoskeletal problems."
Read the full story.
A report prepared for CBC's board of directors — which QMI Agency obtained through Access to Information — shows CBC workers were absent almost twice as often as private sector workers in fiscal year 2010-2011.
According to the document, CBC employees were absent from work an average of 16.5 days. Statistics Canada figures in the report show public sector workers took an average of 12.6 days off while private sector workers took 8.9 days.
The total cost to taxpayers for absenteeism at the state broadcaster was $17.7 million for the year.
The report cites mental disorders as the leading cause of absenteeism (31% of all short-term absences and 44.6% of all long-term absences). The second leading cause was listed as "musculoskeletal problems."
Read the full story.
CBC has taken private-sector-like risks that haven’t panned out ...
Private broadcasters are in the business of making money. There’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, profits help these broadcasters to invest more in quality programs while keeping their shareholders happy.
One week after this announcement, CBC announced its intention to place ads on Radio Two — nine minutes every hour. If the CRTC allows this to happen, it will only be a matter of time before we start hearing ads on Radio One, interrupting shows such as As It Happens and World Report.
But funding cuts are not the only reason CBC is in financial hot water.
In recent years, the CBC has taken private-sector-like risks that haven’t panned out, over-paying for the right to broadcast foreign shows and Hockey Night in Canada that have not produced the hoped-for payback.
Read the full story.
One week after this announcement, CBC announced its intention to place ads on Radio Two — nine minutes every hour. If the CRTC allows this to happen, it will only be a matter of time before we start hearing ads on Radio One, interrupting shows such as As It Happens and World Report.
But funding cuts are not the only reason CBC is in financial hot water.
In recent years, the CBC has taken private-sector-like risks that haven’t panned out, over-paying for the right to broadcast foreign shows and Hockey Night in Canada that have not produced the hoped-for payback.
Read the full story.
CBC recently renewed an agreement to sell its news stories to Microsoft ...
CBC may be willing to take $1 billion from taxpayers each year to produce its news content, but the state broadcaster is tight-lipped about what it earns selling that same material to some of the biggest companies in the world.
In a move that continues to pit the government-subsidized CBC against other privately owned media companies, CBC recently renewed an agreement to sell its news stories to Microsoft. Microsoft then posts CBC news stories on its website.
An access to information request for details of the contract included several pages that were close to blank with all pertinent material removed.
Read the full story.
In a move that continues to pit the government-subsidized CBC against other privately owned media companies, CBC recently renewed an agreement to sell its news stories to Microsoft. Microsoft then posts CBC news stories on its website.
An access to information request for details of the contract included several pages that were close to blank with all pertinent material removed.
Read the full story.
Why is the CBC afraid of Harper?
“Is this still Canada?” I wondered. “Is this the same CBC that we’re supposed to trust with reporting the news and casting a critical eye to our government?”
It seems speech is no longer free when it comes to Stephen Harper.
Do we now have both a state broadcaster that restricts messages critical of the government and a police force that silences and intimidates critics? We already have a prime minister who’s rebranded the government as “The Harper Government.” Is the CBC now trying to turn the whole of the federal infrastructure, from museums to our airspace, into Harper’s personal possessions?
Read the full story.
It seems speech is no longer free when it comes to Stephen Harper.
Do we now have both a state broadcaster that restricts messages critical of the government and a police force that silences and intimidates critics? We already have a prime minister who’s rebranded the government as “The Harper Government.” Is the CBC now trying to turn the whole of the federal infrastructure, from museums to our airspace, into Harper’s personal possessions?
Read the full story.
Curling rocked by CBC/Grand Slam debacle ...
Trivia: who remembers the televised curling debacle of 2005-06?
Sure, you do. The major events had been on The Sports Network (round robin and early playoffs) and then CBC (championship finals) for what seemed like forever, when suddenly CBC had grabbed an exclusive broadcast contract with the Canadian Curling Association, shutting TSN out.
Within months, Canadians were screaming bloody murder: they missed TSN terribly but their prime fury was directed at CBC for off-loading coverage onto their obscure Country Canada channel (now called Bold), which no one could find nor wanted to pay for.
Read the full story.
Sure, you do. The major events had been on The Sports Network (round robin and early playoffs) and then CBC (championship finals) for what seemed like forever, when suddenly CBC had grabbed an exclusive broadcast contract with the Canadian Curling Association, shutting TSN out.
Within months, Canadians were screaming bloody murder: they missed TSN terribly but their prime fury was directed at CBC for off-loading coverage onto their obscure Country Canada channel (now called Bold), which no one could find nor wanted to pay for.
Read the full story.
CBC boss bills taxpayers for private lunches and fancy hotels ...
The head of Canada's state broadcaster has a taste for fine hotel rooms and pricey lunches, according to a set of expense claims released to QMI Agency under the access to information system.
Hubert Lacroix, president and CEO of the CBC, prefers the comfort of the tony Chataeu Laurier hotel when travelling to Ottawa on business. The Chateau, located next to the Parliament buildings, is a place to see and be seen for Ottawa's power brokers.
The hotel bills itself as "a magnificent limestone edifice with turrets and masonry reminiscent of a French chateau. This luxury hotel in Ottawa enchants guests with its charm and stateliness."
Lacroix billed taxpayers for $24,505.29 worth of travel and hospitality expenses in the first six months of this year. That's compared to $17,292.13 in the first six months of 2010.
Read the full story.
Hubert Lacroix, president and CEO of the CBC, prefers the comfort of the tony Chataeu Laurier hotel when travelling to Ottawa on business. The Chateau, located next to the Parliament buildings, is a place to see and be seen for Ottawa's power brokers.
The hotel bills itself as "a magnificent limestone edifice with turrets and masonry reminiscent of a French chateau. This luxury hotel in Ottawa enchants guests with its charm and stateliness."
Lacroix billed taxpayers for $24,505.29 worth of travel and hospitality expenses in the first six months of this year. That's compared to $17,292.13 in the first six months of 2010.
Read the full story.
The CBC is a money-losing state broadcaster ...
The CBC is a money-losing state broadcaster that should be stripped of $1.16 billion in public handouts, says a new report.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Studies argues the broadcaster fails to deliver true dollar value to taxpayers, and it lacks neutrality in its news reporting and accountability.
The right-wing think-tank says, despite its annual handout from Heritage Canada and other revenue streams that total $1.8 billion in net revenue, the CBC still managed to report a loss of $24.7 million in the last fiscal year.
“The curse of such funding lies in the fact that with it, there is no reason for the CBC to display the sort of discipline private sector companies must adhere to in order to survive, or the sort of innovation they require to grow and prosper.”
Read the full story.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Studies argues the broadcaster fails to deliver true dollar value to taxpayers, and it lacks neutrality in its news reporting and accountability.
The right-wing think-tank says, despite its annual handout from Heritage Canada and other revenue streams that total $1.8 billion in net revenue, the CBC still managed to report a loss of $24.7 million in the last fiscal year.
“The curse of such funding lies in the fact that with it, there is no reason for the CBC to display the sort of discipline private sector companies must adhere to in order to survive, or the sort of innovation they require to grow and prosper.”
Read the full story.
CBC's Fifth Estate film found at fault for unfounded facts ...
Simon Chester is a partner at the Toronto law firm of McMillan Binch and a member of the firm’s KNOWlaw Group. This article was prepared with the assistance of Marlo Kravetsky
If you thought that headline was a mouthful, try swallowing a damages award of $950,000 and a costs award over $800,000 as the CBC had to in the libel lawsuit brought by Dr. Frans Leenan.
After winning his case in Ontario’s Superior Court, Dr. Leenen said, ‘Four years ago we proposed to settle this law suit for $10,000 and an on-air apology. It was refused…The Fifth Estate persisted and took me through 10 weeks of trial.’ The trial judge awarded very high damages for libel against The Fifth Estate and the CBC as well as individual reporters and producers.
The CBC appealed. Ontario’s Court of Appeal disagreed with the CBC, and ruled that Dr. Leenen had been libelled. Finally, the CBC tried to take the case to Canada’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Supreme Court ruled against the CBC in February, with yet another costs award. Dr. Leenen’s long legal journey is over. The case should be a lesson for documentary producers and journalists everywhere.
What went wrong?
Read the full story.
If you thought that headline was a mouthful, try swallowing a damages award of $950,000 and a costs award over $800,000 as the CBC had to in the libel lawsuit brought by Dr. Frans Leenan.
After winning his case in Ontario’s Superior Court, Dr. Leenen said, ‘Four years ago we proposed to settle this law suit for $10,000 and an on-air apology. It was refused…The Fifth Estate persisted and took me through 10 weeks of trial.’ The trial judge awarded very high damages for libel against The Fifth Estate and the CBC as well as individual reporters and producers.
The CBC appealed. Ontario’s Court of Appeal disagreed with the CBC, and ruled that Dr. Leenen had been libelled. Finally, the CBC tried to take the case to Canada’s highest court, the Supreme Court of Canada.
The Supreme Court ruled against the CBC in February, with yet another costs award. Dr. Leenen’s long legal journey is over. The case should be a lesson for documentary producers and journalists everywhere.
What went wrong?
Read the full story.
Executives at CBC took bonuses while workers were laid off ...
QMI Agency reported top executives at CBC took bonuses, some as high as $165,090, while workers were laid off to deal with a shortfall of revenue. While the state broadcaster sought government help for bridge financing to make up the shortfall and workers were laid off, access to information documents show top executives split a bonus kitty worth $888,699.
Individual bonus amounts were not released but QMI Agency can report one senior team member could qualify for a bonus worth 25% of their salary, six team members could qualify for a 40% bonus, and two a 50% bonus.
CBC Executive perks are a monthly car allowance, club memberships, security system/maintenance, child/elder care, health care spending account, registered education savings plan, flexible component of the CBC pension, financial planning and parking.
According to documents released by CBC, executives at the vice-president level earn between $173,000 and $375,000. There are eight vice-presidents.
Read the full story.
Individual bonus amounts were not released but QMI Agency can report one senior team member could qualify for a bonus worth 25% of their salary, six team members could qualify for a 40% bonus, and two a 50% bonus.
CBC Executive perks are a monthly car allowance, club memberships, security system/maintenance, child/elder care, health care spending account, registered education savings plan, flexible component of the CBC pension, financial planning and parking.
According to documents released by CBC, executives at the vice-president level earn between $173,000 and $375,000. There are eight vice-presidents.
Read the full story.
Funding cuts expose CBC pension Ponzi Scheme ...
The Federal Government recently announced budget cuts to the CBC of $27.8 million this year increasing to $115 million by 2014-15. The CBC budget for 2011 was $1.1 billion.
Teeth are being gnashed over the loss of staff and programming, but these cuts pale in comparison to the costs of propping up the CBC’s pension ponzi scheme. How will it fund its current pension solvency deficit of $801 million (2010), which is more than double the $382 million deficit the previous year?
In 2010 employees contributed $26.9 million while $51.2 million was added by taxpayers. The split is supposed to be 50/50, but CBC has chosen to ask taxpayers to fund the deficit without asking employees to contribute more. To properly fund the pension solvency shortfall, the CBC, under normal accounting rules, would be required to fund an extra $160 million each year over the next five years.
Stay tuned to your radio to see how CBC will solve its financial problems.
Read the full story here!
Teeth are being gnashed over the loss of staff and programming, but these cuts pale in comparison to the costs of propping up the CBC’s pension ponzi scheme. How will it fund its current pension solvency deficit of $801 million (2010), which is more than double the $382 million deficit the previous year?
In 2010 employees contributed $26.9 million while $51.2 million was added by taxpayers. The split is supposed to be 50/50, but CBC has chosen to ask taxpayers to fund the deficit without asking employees to contribute more. To properly fund the pension solvency shortfall, the CBC, under normal accounting rules, would be required to fund an extra $160 million each year over the next five years.
Stay tuned to your radio to see how CBC will solve its financial problems.
Read the full story here!
CBC Fifth Estate spoke to the wrong people ...
Newfoundland and Labrador's representative in the Harper cabinet says a recent Fifth Estate story did not accurately portray the federal response in the search for Labrador teen Burton Winters, claiming the CBC spoke to the wrong people.
See the full story.
See the full story.
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