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Dear Mr. Grod,
Thank you for your message indicating your understandable disappointment with the CBC decision to terminate the Ukrainian Section of Radio Canada International after almost sixty years of service and for raising this issue with the CBC President, Hubert T. Lacroix.
Like you, many Canadians have written to express their interest in quality CBC programming and their deep concerns over the slew of changes the Harper government has been trying to make to the CBC. In contrast to this negative government action, New Democrats have fought to strengthen the ability of CBC and Radio Canada and RCI to deliver superior programming with demands for secure and adequate funding. We will continue to advance these issues on your behalf. Specifically, NDP Heritage and Culture critic Charlie Angus is a forceful advocate for the CBC and you can find out more about his work at: http://charlieangus.net/ and http://charlieangus.net/houseitem.php?id=109
Our commitment to Canadian public broadcasting complements our strong support for arts and culture as outlined in our 2008 election platform at: http://www.ndp.ca/platform/otherpriorities/supportingculture
Some highlights of our plan include:
- Reforming the CRTC to ensure that prime time television in French and in English is written, directed, stars, and is about Canada and Canadians.
- Protecting and properly funding Telefilm and the Canadian Television Fund.
- Maintaining with adequate funding, the Canada Council.
- Introducing income-averaging for artists, modeled directly on long-standing practice in the province of Quebec.
- Providing an annual federal tax exemption of $20,000 for income earned from copyright and residuals income.
- Reversing Mr. Harper's $45 million cutback to culture.
Please be assured that Canada's New Democrats understand the value of having public broadcasting and arts initiatives to help promote Canada's cultural identity both at home and abroad.
Sincerely,
Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)
Leader, Canada's New Democrats
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