Learn More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, MARCH 28, 2023 – Marla Boltman, Executive Director for FRIENDS, made the following statement:

“FRIENDS is frustrated that, once again, the government has failed to make good on its commitment to provide the CBC with more funding. During the last federal election, the Liberals promised to increase funding to our national public broadcaster to reduce its reliance on advertising dollars. Now, two budgets later, Canadians and, more to the point, the CBC, are still waiting.

In order to fulfill its mandate, our national public broadcaster needs sustainable and steadily rising funding over a 10-year term. Only a commitment of this magnitude will send the much-needed message to Canadians that our government believes in a strong national public broadcaster. Without it, there is little counter-voice in Ottawa to the ill-informed calls to defund the CBC.

There is still time in this government’s mandate to make good on its promise to Canadians. If they fail to do so, FRIENDS and Canadians across the country will be there to remind them come election time.”

For more information:

Sarah Andrews
Director of Government and Media Relations
sarah@friends.ca
613-808-7255