elite

Wednesday August 14, 2024

CBC’s decision to award executive bonuses amid layoffs undermines public trust, fueling support for defunding the broadcaster and highlighting the need for transparency and accountability from its leadership.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday August 14, 2024

CBC’s Executive Bonuses Erode Public Trust and Bolster Calls for Defunding

April 15, 2023

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) has long been a cherished institution in Canada, a bastion of national identity and public service broadcasting. However, recent actions by its leadership, particularly President and CEO Catherine Tait, threaten to undermine the public trust that the CBC has built over decades. The decision to award $18.4 million in bonuses to 1,194 employees, including substantial payouts to top executives, at a time when the broadcaster is cutting hundreds of jobs, has rightly drawn widespread criticism.

From the horses mouth: CBC paid out $18.4 million in bonuses in 2024 after it eliminated hundreds of jobs

September 29, 2017

Catherine Tait’s defence of the bonuses as “performance pay” and her assertion that the CBC is “one of the worst-funded public broadcasters in the world” may ring hollow to many Canadians. While she argues that these bonuses are part of standard compensation to retain talent and meet company goals, the optics of this decision are undeniably poor. This is especially true when some of these bonuses exceed the median family income in Canada. It’s a stark contrast that feeds into the narrative that the CBC is out of touch with the financial realities facing many Canadians.

The timing of these bonuses has also played into the hands of critics like Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who has been a vocal proponent of defunding the CBC. Poilievre’s rhetoric about turning the CBC’s downtown Toronto headquarters into housing and his pledge to sell off federal buildings tap into a growing sentiment that public funds could be better allocated. His message is gaining traction not only among his base but also among those who have traditionally supported the CBC but are now disillusioned by its leadership’s decisions.

News: ‘I can’t wait to defund the CBC’: Pierre Poilievre doubles down on plan to axe CBC after board approves bonuses

November 30, 2016

A reader’s comment aptly captures this frustration: “Another use for that $18.4M in bonuses could have been to pay those 141 people that were laid off $130k each in total compensation and keep them employed.” This sentiment reflects a broader frustration with the perceived mismanagement of public funds, which is pushing even CBC supporters toward Poilievre’s camp.

The lack of transparency surrounding the decision-making process for these bonuses further exacerbates the situation. As Richard Leblanc, a professor of governance, law, and ethics, points out, the CBC should have been “completely transparent about why it was paying the bonuses.” Without clear communication, the public is left to make adverse inferences, and opposition parties are quick to capitalize on the perceived opacity.

Moreover, the board’s refusal to disclose the exact amounts paid out to the 1,194 employees, despite repeated requests from members of Parliament, only fuels suspicion. The CBC, as a Crown corporation funded by taxpayers, has a heightened responsibility to be transparent and accountable in its operations.

News: CBC paid out more than $18 million in bonuses this year after slashing hundreds of jobs

April 11, 2014

The CBC’s situation is a teachable moment not just for itself but for all Crown corporations. The public’s reaction to the bonuses highlights a growing impatience with corporate behaviour that seems to prioritize executive enrichment over the well-being of employees and the public interest.

As Canada faces an election in the coming year, the fate of the CBC hangs in the balance. The increasing support for defunding the CBC reflects a broader dissatisfaction with how public institutions are being managed. If the CBC and its leadership do not take immediate steps to restore public trust, they risk alienating the very audience they are meant to serve.

It’s long past time for Catherine Tait and the CBC’s leadership to reevaluate their priorities and practices. The path they are on not only undermines the CBC’s mandate but also threatens its very existence. For the CBC to continue to be a relevant and respected institution, it must demonstrate a commitment to transparency, accountability, and a genuine regard for the public good. Otherwise, pulling the plug on the CBC might become an increasingly accepted reality among Canadians. (AI)

 

Friday March 17, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday March 17, 2023

Trudeau calls David Johnston ‘unimpeachable’ as Conservatives attack his impartiality

March 9, 2023

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his choice of former governor general David Johnston as special election rapporteur Friday, arguing that Conservative attacks on him show the party is more interested in creating chaos than tackling foreign election interference.

“David Johnston has served this country in many, many different ways through a long and unimpeachable career,” Trudeau said in Guelph, Ont. of the man he appointed to investigate reports of foreign election interference.

“When we are looking to someone who will put the country first, and put the interest of Canadians at the core of everything he does, there is no better name than David Johnston.”

Citing classified Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) sources, multiple media reports have alleged that China tried to ensure the Liberals won a minority government in the last general election. Those reports also said Beijing worked to defeat Conservative candidates who were critical of China by interfering in the last two federal elections.

March 2, 2023

A panel of top civil servants concluded that attempts to interfere with the 2021 federal election did not affect the results. Trudeau has announced multiple investigations into foreign election interference and appointed Johnston as special rapporteur earlier this week.

Among other things, Johnston has been tasked with advising the prime minister on whether to call a public inquiry — something all of the opposition parties have demanded.

Trudeau has said he will abide by Johnston’s recommendations. The Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois pushed back against Johnston’s appointment Thursday, arguing that he is too closely linked with the prime minister.

March 19, 2015

“Trudeau has named a family friend, old neighbour from the cottage and member of the Beijing-funded Trudeau foundation to be the independent rapporteur on Beijing’s interference,” Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said in a media statement.

“Get real. Trudeau must end his cover up. Call a public inquiry.”

Trudeau said Poilievre is “hoping that if he attacks our institutions with a flamethrower, maybe he’s going to be able to win. That sounds like a really great way of ensuring that all Canadians lose.”

The prime minister said the Conservatives under Poilievre are only concerned with turning the election interference issue into a partisan circus.

“We need to stand up for our institutions, we need to reassure Canadians that everything has been done and will be done to make sure that they are focused on serving Canadians, and keeping people safe. (CBC) 

 

Thursday March 9, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 9, 2023

Ottawa says special rapporteur on election interference will be named within weeks

As the Trudeau government promises to appoint a special rapporteur within weeks to investigate claims that China meddled in Canada’s last two elections, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is casting doubt on the independence of the new role.

February 25, 2023

On Monday night, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he will name an “eminent” and independent person as a special rapporteur on election interference. He said the special rapporteur “will have a wide mandate and make expert recommendations on combating interference and strengthening our democracy.”

The next day, Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino said the government wants to appoint the special rapporteur in a very short period of time.

“We’re talking about weeks, not months,” he said.

Trudeau said he’s open to consulting with the opposition parties on choosing someone for the role. Poilievre said he was skeptical.

“He could pick someone independent but he won’t,” Poilievre told reporters Tuesday morning.

“He’ll pick another Liberal establishment insider, a real Ottawa insider with some grey hair who looks like a reasonable fellow, but we all know that it will be someone tied to him, tied to the Liberals.”

March 2, 2023

The Conservatives have largely dismissed a recent report highlighting foreign interference observations during the 2021 election. The report was written by Morris Rosenberg, who was appointed to the role by the public service. 

The veteran former public servant also worked as the head of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. Poilievre’s party has said that fact makes him not credible.

“[Trudeau is] going to appoint a special rapporteur that will be appointed by him who will come out and say, ‘Oh, everything is fine, let’s move on,'” said Poilievre.

“He wants closed and controlled and we want an open and independent inquiry to make sure it never happens again.”

‘Special rapporteur’ is term often used in the context of the United Nations. Special rapporteurs are are often appointed to conduct fact-finding missions or investigate allegations of human rights violations.

April 24, 2009

During a separate news conference, Bloc Québécois Leader Yves-François Blanchet said the special rapporteur should be appointed by Parliament, not the prime minister.

NDP House Leader Peter Julian told CBC’s Power & Politics that Monday’s announcement was a baby step and the special rapporteur needs to be “impeccable.”

“It cannot be somebody who is considered partisan and cannot be somebody who is not considered independent from the Liberal government,” he said.

Trudeau said Tuesday he will consider names floated by his political opponents.

“We will of course be open to suggestions that the various parties put forward for names for this independent special rapporteur,” he said during a news conference in Kingston, Ont. (CBC) 

From sketch to finish in 30 seconds, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro …

 

Thursday March 2, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 2, 2023

Trudeau slaps down questions about public inquiry into election meddling

February 25, 2023

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pushed back at questions Friday about calling a public inquiry into claims that Beijing interfered in Canada’s recent elections, telling reporters that the probes already underway are sufficient.

Trudeau is under pressure from his political opponents to launch an inquiry after media reports citing unnamed sources said the Chinese communist regime has co-opted some Canadian politicians. A Commons committee passed a motion Thursday in an attempt to compel the government to act.

Speaking to reporters at a child care announcement in Winnipeg, an animated Trudeau said his government has been seized with the issue of foreign interference for years and put in place a system to actively monitor meddling by China and other bad actors.

When asked why he won’t call an inquiry now, Trudeau said senior public servants working on the Critical Election Incident Public Protocol (CEIPP) already have reviewed the 2019 and 2021 campaigns and concluded that, while there was some Chinese interference, those actions did not compromise the final outcomes.

During the news conference, Trudeau appeared to be annoyed by reporters repeating questions about the calls for an inquiry.

February 20, 2021

Former senior public servant Morris Rosenberg released his review of the 2021 campaign earlier this week.

He found that the Government of Canada did not detect foreign interference that threatened Canada’s ability to hold free and fair elections in 2019 and 2021. He also offered a series of recommendations meant to prevent foreign interference in the future.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has said the Rosenberg report isn’t credible because Rosenberg previously held a role with the Trudeau Foundation, a non-profit named for the prime minister’s father. That foundation also received a $200,000 donation from an individual with ties to China’s government — money that was returned this week.

Trudeau said Friday the public service picked Rosenberg for the job — and his government had no role in the appointment.

December 5, 2017

Trudeau also pointed out that the House of Commons procedure and House affairs committee is also in the midst of its own probe and the top-secret National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), which was created by the Liberal government, is reviewing all of the intelligence about the 2021 vote.

“All of these processes are going on and demonstrate the seriousness with which this government and this country needs to take the question of foreign interference,” Trudeau said.

“Canadians can have confidence in our institutions, in our democracies and our ability to defend ourselves.” (CBC) 

 

Wednesday January 6, 2020

January 6, 2020

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday January 6, 2020

Don’t lump all politicians in with scofflaws

Reading Spectator journalist Katrina Clarke’s report surveying local politicians about their activities over Christmas, you may have been struck first by the fact that one Hamilton-area politician did indeed travel.

Veteran Conservative Flamborough-Glanbrook MP David Sweet acknowledged to his leader’s office that he travelled to the U.S., first on business to deal with a “property issue,” and then later “for leisure.” But Erin O’Toole’s office didn’t know about the “leisure” part. Sweet “resigned” from chairing — of all things — the House of Commons Ethics Committee, the leader’s office reported Monday. And he has said he will not run again in the next federal election. Sweet remains in the U.S. at this point. 

O’Toole had requested, explicitly, that caucus members not take part in international travel over the Christmas holidays, so it’s little wonder Sweet’s career as a Conservative MP was quickly declared dead in the water. It’s an ignominious way to end a 15-year-career in politics. Twitter lit up with reaction, much of it lauding Sweet for his work but even more of it bitterly critical, such as John P. Soleas, who Tweeted: “Why are you still out of the country? You should’ve been flying back yesterday! Your constituents are staying home and abiding by public health guidance. If you can’t stay in the country when it counts why not resign today and relieve yourself of this heavy burden?”

Sweet and other politicians caught up in this angry storm are learning the hard way: This is no minor bit of bad behaviour. Travelling while the rest of Canada is locked down and suffering has tapped a vein of outrage and hurt. Read the letters from Spec readers and others across the country. Read about broken-hearted families who wanted desperately to see each other but couldn’t due to the travel guidelines. Parents of adult children who always see their kids and grandkids at Christmas, but couldn’t this year. People who lost loved ones before or during the pandemic and could not be with relatives for comfort and consolation. People who are used to gathering with families who had to settle for the Zoom equivalent this holiday season.

The collective reaction is not annoyance at the display, yet again, of a double standard between “them” and the rest of us. It’s more like the reaction of people who feel they have been attacked and wounded. Is it entirely reasonable? You can argue either way, but it is what it is. Public reaction on this issue is like a force of nature, and it won’t be dismissed or managed, as so many Canadian politicians have learned.

But here is something else worth considering. For the story mentioned earlier Clarke got responses from something like 20 area politicians, local, provincial and federal. (Several others have yet to respond.) But if they’re all being honest — and they would be very foolish at this point to be anything but forthright — the rest of them spent their holidays season the same way the majority of us did.

They spent Christmas and New Year’s alone, or Zoomed with friends and family. They hosted small outdoor gatherings, masked and distanced. Some had “garage gatherings” which in our view is questionable, but for the most part these elected officials are living with the same public health guidelines we all are.

As we survive this latest pandemic outrage, it is important that we make it entirely clear we expect those elected to represent and serve us to abide by the same rules they levy upon us. And to use common sense. But we should also be careful not to lump all politicians together with those who have abused the public trust. Most are playing by the rules, and the few who are not are paying the price. (Hamilton Spectator Editorial)