Policy Explainer #4: The Future of National Public Media in Canada: Why the CBC’s Mandate Matters Now
Canada’s media landscape has undergone significant changes over the past three decades.
Yet the mandate guiding the country’s national public broadcaster, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC/Radio-Canada), was last updated in 1991.
Since then, the way Canadians access news and culture has undergone a fundamental shift. From streaming platforms and social media to the rise of artificial intelligence and online misinformation, the environment in which public media operates today looks nothing like it did when the current mandate was written.
As conversations begin around modernizing the CBC’s role, one question becomes central:
What should public media look like in Canada in 2026 and beyond?
WHAT IS THE CBC MANDATE?
The CBC’s mandate is set out in Canada’s Broadcasting Act, which defines the role of public broadcasting in the country.
At its core, the mandate requires CBC/Radio-Canada to:
- Provide programming that informs, enlightens, and entertains.
- Reflect Canada’s regions and diverse communities.
- Support Canadian culture and storytelling.
- Serves both official language communities.
These principles remain important. But the way they are delivered, and the environment in which they operate, have changed significantly.
Why is modernization being discussed now?
There are several reasons why updating the CBC’s mandate is now on the policy agenda.
A digital-first media environment
Today, Canadians increasingly consume news online rather than through traditional broadcast channels.
According to the Reuters Institute Digital News Report:
- More people access news via mobile devices and social platforms.
- Trust in the news varies widely depending on the source.
- Younger audiences are less likely to engage with traditional broadcasters.
A modern mandate needs to reflect this shift.
The rise of misinformation
The spread of misinformation, including AI-generated content, has become a growing concern globally.
Organizations like MediaSmarts highlight the importance of media literacy and trusted information sources.
Public broadcasters play a vital role in providing verified, fact-based information.
Declining local news coverage
Across Canada, many local news outlets have closed or reduced operations.
This has created what researchers call “news deserts,” communities with limited access to local journalism.
A report from the Local News Research Project outlines these trends.
As local news declines, the role of public media in providing regional coverage becomes even more important.
Key Questions in the Mandate Review
As policymakers, stakeholders, and the public consider modernization, several key questions are emerging:
What should CBC prioritize?
- Local journalism?
- National news?
- Cultural programming?
- Digital innovation?
How should it be funded?
- Should it rely on advertising revenue?
- Should funding be fully public?
- Should there be a hybrid model?
Funding decisions directly shape independence and long-term planning.
What role should it play in the digital age?
- Should CBC be digital-first?
- How should it compete or coexist with global platforms?
- How can it reach younger audiences?
How should accountability and governance evolve?
- How can public trust be strengthened?
- What oversight mechanisms are needed?
Looking at the CBC differently
At Friends of Canadian Media, we see this conversation as bigger than a single institution.
It is about how Canada supports:
- Trusted journalism
- Cultural sovereignty
- Regional representation
- Democratic resilience
Public media should not be seen as a legacy system. It is part of the infrastructure that supports a healthy democracy, especially in a fast-changing information environment.
What happens next?
As discussions around modernizing the CBC’s mandate continue, there will be opportunities for public input through consultations, written submissions, and policy proposals.
Friends of Canadian Media will be participating in these conversations to help ensure that our national public broadcaster remains strong, independent, and accountable.
Modernizing the CBC’s mandate is not just a policy discussion. It is a national conversation that will shape how Canadians access news, culture, and information for years to come.