CMG to hold rally Friday in support of workers at CBC

TORONTO, May 22, 2014 /CNW/ - Tomorrow, Friday May 23, the Canadian Media Guild (CMG) will hold a rally to support workers at CBC under the theme "Raising our voices to make CBC strong again." Front-line reporters, videographers, and editors from across Canada will be on hand to speak about the real effects of the latest cuts.

Where:  Simcoe Park – adjacent to CBC at 250 Front Street

When:   Friday, May 23, 2014 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

"For years now, CBC has faced funding cut after funding cut, and its employees have struggled to provide quality programs for Canadians from coast to coast to coast," said Naomi Robinson, CMG President at CBC Toronto. "But these latest cuts, $130 million and the loss of 657 jobs, have ripped into the heart of our national broadcaster, so that it's no longer possible to provide Canadians with the quality service they expect and deserve."

The event will feature first-hand accounts from people who bring CBC programs to Canadians across the country:

- Allan Gofenko, Yellowknife
- Jack Veethaak, Windsor
- Jolene Banning, Thunder Bay
- Joan Weeks, Sydney, N.S.
- Chantal Payant, Ottawa
- Naomi Robinson, Toronto
- Carmel Smyth, CMG National President
- Marc-Philippe Laurin, CMG CBC Branch President
- Martin O'Hanlon, CWA Canada President

CMG, which represents 4,000 workers at CBC/Radio-Canada, calls on CBC Management and the Board of directors to tell Canadians the real impact of the government's ongoing cuts to CBC's funding. CMG also calls on the federal government to reverse its Deficit Reduction Action Plan (DRAP) cuts to CBC. Instead of cuts, the public broadcaster needs ongoing, stable funding so it can deliver the radio, television and online services Canadians deserve.

"We invite everyone to join us as we fight for the CBC we love and Canadians cherish," said Kam Rao, CMG Director at CBC Toronto. "CBC was created to serve all Canadians. They are the real stakeholders and they deserve to know what's going on. The truth is CBC cannot withstand these cuts; and yet, as citizens, we need a strong national public broadcaster." 

SOURCE: Canadian Media Guild

Maureen Brosnahan, [phone]; Naomi Robinson, [phone]; Kam Rao, [phone]