I'd like to take an opportunity to highlight the local journalism initiative, which is the first federal program to recognize community-owned and -operated media. For an investment of just $1.6 million, our members have extended high-quality civic news coverage to almost 60 communities this year alone. The CBC stations receive an average of $16 million per station from federal funding, while community stations have an average budget of about $150,000.
Our role in Canadian broadcasting is critical, but the support is not there. This can, however, be addressed.
Our first proposal is that there must be a definition in the act of “community media” that recognizes our not-for-profit and community-based structure.