Heritage Committee Task force to study the future of the CBC

Thanks to Antonia Zerbisias for pointing to this in her blog. A motion by Conservative Heritage Critic Bev Oda calling for a "an independent task force on the role, mandate and level of service of the CBC-SRC" has passed the heritage committee.

The press release from the Conservative Party of Canada goes on to say "The goal is to reach a solid understanding of what Canadians expect of the CBC-SRC, and then use the objectives that are set out to determine the long-term funding needs of the public broadcaster.” While there is still a chance that this will be lost in the election shuffle, it is an idea long past due.

Heritage Committee Show

On October 27, Robert Rabinovich and other senior managers at the CBC were thoroughly grilled by the Heritage Committee over the lock out, past decisions and their present and future plans for the CBC. Sadly, it would appear that the show we saw in the Heritage Committee was just that. Public anger at CBC management demanded a public spanking - but that's all it was. I've contacted the Clerk of the Committee twice, as well as MPs Sam Bulte and Charlie Angus to ask for a transcript of the October 27 meeting, and to ask about Mr. Angus' bill calling for Rabinovich's resignation. I have, to date, received no reply whatsoever to any of these requests. There is also nothing on the committee's web site that would indicate that there is anything further planned on the matter.

At this point I think it is safe to assume that for whatever reason, the matter has been dropped, that the committee has no plans to pursue the matter, would rather not be reminded of it, and with an election looming the whole thing will likely vanish in a puff of indifference.

I do not know what else to add. Unfortunately, it appears that a new improved CBC has no support in the current parliament.