Canadian Heritage Committee on Jan. 30th, 2024

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Now we'll go to a third round and, for the Conservatives, it's Luc Berthold for five minutes.

Luc, go ahead.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Thank you.

Thank you, Ms. Tait.

The people in the back and I tried to find the seven key performance indicators listed in the annual report. Since there are seven sections that include a number of indicators, it's quite difficult to navigate. A small dark green circle shows that the target has been met or exceeded. A small pale green circle shows that the target has been partially met. There are more than seven indicators. Basically, 23 criteria determine whether there will be bonuses. I was trying to get you to say this earlier.

Unfortunately, most of the criteria weren't fully met. It's hard to give carte blanche and to understand why, under the current circumstances, CBC/Radio‑Canada would decide to move forward, even though the performance is lacking. It's clear when we look at the CBC's ratings and advertising revenues. Of course, the situation must be taken into account. All companies, even private companies, deal with this situation. In many private companies, a person isn't entitled to a performance bonus when targets aren't met.

How will you justify cutting 800 jobs to Canadians, when you'll only partially meet your targets and when some of them will lose their jobs?

[Catherine Tait]

Thank you for your question.

First, the annual report shows the indicators for the CBC and Radio‑Canada together. We then separate the two and each has its respective performance indicators. Also, there aren't 23 criteria. The criteria are the same, but they're shown together and then separately.

Second, we're talking about next year. For the year 2023‑24, which runs until the end of March, we have a balanced budget. We don't have this issue for the current year. We're talking about the 2024‑25 fiscal year. That's why it's too early to assess the results for the coming year.

Is that clearer?

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Next year's bonuses will be based on this year's results. Is that what you're saying?

[Catherine Tait]

No. Incentive bonuses are tied to last year's performance.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Okay. We understand one another.

A single item may have a number of criteria, but there may be variations. A target can be partially met. That's more or less what people find shocking.

I had the opportunity to speak with Radio‑Canada employees. They're very worried, Ms. Tait. They learned that 250 employees would be losing their jobs. They don't know who, when or what sectors will be affected. They know absolutely nothing.

Since this announcement, how many employees have left Radio‑Canada voluntarily?

[Catherine Tait]

I'll let Mr. Dubé answer that question.

[Marco Dubé]

Since we made this announcement, in December, we've distributed about 100 layoff notices at both the CBC and Radio‑Canada, including...

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

ln total?

[Marco Dubé]

Yes, in total. This includes institutional components. The CBC had slightly more than Radio‑Canada.

That's where we stand, at the end of January.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

Since you made this announcement, have any people decided to leave their jobs voluntarily after seeing CBC's results and the direction that the company is heading in?

[Marco Dubé]

It's worth noting that, every year, around 250 people leave the company voluntarily. There are also 200 retirements. There were 200 vacant positions. There's a great deal of movement in our workforce.

I completely agree with you. Obviously, some employees are worried. The employees are keenly aware that the public broadcaster…

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You have 30 seconds.

[Marco Dubé]

…is dealing with a long‑term structural deficit. The issue of multi‑year funding for the public broadcaster has never been resolved.

[Luc Berthold, Conservative, Mégantic—L'Érable, QC]

I don't have much time left. I'd like to take my 10 seconds to ask Ms. Tait a question.

Ms. Tait, given the situation, don't you think that Radio‑Canada's senior executives should set an example by foregoing their performance bonuses?

[Catherine Tait]

As I said, at the end of the year, any necessary measures will be considered, and performance bonuses may also be part of these discussions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Ms. Tait.

Thank you, Mr. Berthold.

We'll go now to Anju Dhillon for the Liberals.

You have five minutes, Anju.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

I would like to thank the witnesses for joining us today.

In December 2023, Radio‑Canada announced budget cuts of about $125 million.

First, what proportion of the budget cuts fall on CBC/Radio‑Canada's English and French services, respectively? What factors helped determine this distribution?

[Catherine Tait]

Are you talking about this year's cuts?

I didn't fully understand the question. Sorry.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

I wanted to know whether the budget cuts are divided equally between the two services.

[Catherine Tait]

No, not at all. I just clarified that Radio‑Canada will be cutting $15 million in independent production spending, whereas the CBC will be cutting $25 million.

Again, these are forecasts. If we ever receive government funding or see an increase in advertising revenues, we'll adjust these figures and, above all, their impact on programming.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

Okay, thank you.

What proportions of the budget cuts fall on radio, television and digital services, respectively?

Could you elaborate on this, please?

[Catherine Tait]

We don't have that information right now. I'm sorry. I apologize.

[Anju Dhillon, Liberal, Dorval—Lachine—LaSalle, QC]

I have no further questions. Thank you.

Madam Chair, I'll be sharing my time with Ms. Hepfner.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Ms. Tait, you can send it to us.

Thank you.