James Moore

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we kept the promise we made during the last campaign to maintain or increase the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's budget. That is what we did.

During the campaign, the Liberals said that a Liberal government would commit to stable funding over several years for the CBC. However, what they did was cut the CBC's budget by $414 million, which resulted in the loss of 4,000 jobs. That was the Liberal Party's agenda. We were the ones who stood up for the CBC's budget, and they were the ones who cut it.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 27th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, Canadians have no clearer example of Liberal math than this. We increased funding for the CBC and the Liberals call it slashing. They present themselves as defenders of the CBC and campaigned on it, but when they got into office, what did they do? They slashed the CBC by $414 million, and with the member for Wascana cheering away, they cut 4,000 CBC jobs. Shame on him for failing the CBC.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member, frankly, does not know what he is talking about.

The president of the CBC said publicly that even if the CBC were extended a loan of $125 million, it would still be laying off people. This is the problem with broadcasters in this country, public and private. There is a massive drop in ad revenue for all broadcasters in this country. It is not the fault of taxpayers.

Taxpayers elected our government on our campaign commitment to maintain or increase funding for the CBC. We have done our job but the NDP, of course, voted against those increases in funding.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, during the 2006 and 2008 election campaigns, we made a specific promise to Canadians. We said we would increase or maintain the budget for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. With each of our budgets, we have delivered the goods and kept our promise. That is what we have done. Now, though, here in this House, the NDP is making itself out to be the great defender of the CBC, even though it has voted against the CBC in our budgets year after year. It has voted against the CBC. That is terrible.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, it always saddens us when jobs are lost. Clearly, everyone in this House shares the same reaction.

But where was this hon. member, the member for Hull—Aylmer, when his Liberal government cut 4,000 jobs at CBC?

This was the Liberal Party's approach, its programming, its policies. It cut 4,000 positions at the CBC, as well as over $400 million from its budget. We have raised its budget. It was the Liberals who cut it.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the importance of regional media in our country, certainly for the CBC. That is why we have increased funding for the CBC.

However, I would ask my good friend from Cape Breton to read the speech presented today by the president of CBC. He said that even if a bridge loan were provided to CBC, it would still be cutting these jobs. This is a business decision by the CBC.

Our responsibility as a government is to follow through on our campaign commitment. We have done that. We have delivered to the CBC record funding this year.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, as I said yesterday, our government has increased the CBC’s funding every year in every budget.

Hubert Lacroix, the CBC president and CEO, also said he was convinced that the CBC will emerge from this situation in a strong position if it adheres to its long-term strategic priorities, as already approved by its board.

We are assuming our responsibilities and making the investments we promised in our election campaign. We are keeping our promises.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, does she realize that what she is telling the House is totally false? Hubert Lacroix, the president and CEO of the CBC, said today in Montreal that even if there had been an additional grant of $125 million, jobs still would have been lost. That is what he said in his speech.

If she is in favour of the CBC, which is an important institution to Canadians and Quebeckers, she should vote for our budget, which provides $1.1 billion for the CBC, an amount that is totally unprecedented in Canadian history.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, that is untrue and Hubert Lacroix himself, the CBC president, said today in Montreal that jobs would have been lost even if the government had loaned the CBC $125 million. That is not a solution to the problems at the CBC.

All the public and private broadcasters have seen their advertising revenues decline. It is a real problem for them. All that the government can do is increase its investment, and that is what we have done: an unprecedented $1.1 billion for the CBC this year.

[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, March 26th, 2009]

Mr. Speaker, where was this member's passion for the CBC when it was the Liberals cutting the CBC by $400 million? Where was this Liberal member and his passion when the Liberals cut the CBC by 4,000 jobs?

We have increased funding for the CBC. They cut it.

Not only that, here is what one person said:

I see our efforts as a struggle against the...assumption by existing public broadcasters, including CBC, that their audiences are fools who can't think for themselves.

Who said that? The leader of the Liberal Party.