Culture Minister Pascale St-Onge has proposed reforming CBC/Radio-Canada by increasing its funding from $1.4 billion to $2.6 billion and enshrining stable budgeting through legislation.

She said the average public broadcasting budget in the G7 is $62 per person, while in Canada it is only $33.

St-Onge said stable funding would allow CBC platforms to be free and remove advertising from news content. She also proposed strengthening the CBC’s role in combating disinformation and foreign interference.

The minister also proposed that the CBC’s CEO be chosen by the board of directors, rather than the federal government.

Criticism and budget deficit

The CBC faces a $20 million budget deficit despite cutting 141 jobs and eliminating 205 vacancies. At the same time, the corporation paid $18.4 million in bonuses to its executives.

The Conservatives, led by Pierre Poilievre, are opposed to increasing CBC funding, calling for cuts and calling it wasteful spending.