QUESTION PERIOD — Canadian Heritage
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
November 4, 2025
Government leader, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, or CBC, the taxpayer-funded broadcaster that receives over $1 billion a year from the government, is now in Federal Court to block the release of its Gem streaming subscriber numbers after Canada’s Information Commissioner ruled that the CBC’s secrecy claims over this data were unfounded. Yet instead of respecting transparency, the broadcaster is spending public money to hide basic information that would show Canadians whether their investment is delivering results.
Leader, why should taxpayers pay for the CBC’s lawyers to keep them in the dark?
The government is probably thinking that Canadians deserve that the CBC be well funded by the government. But since your question raises the issue of a challenge in court, it is not proper for me to comment when the justice is now studying the review and the procedure that was brought forward by the CBC. I will not comment on this, like I will not comment on any matters that are in front of a court of justice.
But all the money that they are spending is taxpayer money. So I’m asking, Senator Moreau, will your government direct the CBC to drop this costly court case and comply with the Information Commissioner’s ruling, or do you believe state-funded media should be above the same transparency laws that apply to everyone else?
The CBC is allowed to make its own decisions on whether there has to be a challenge in court. Since this challenge happened, it’s not for me to comment here at the Senate or anywhere else. We will have to wait and see what the judgment is. When the judgment is rendered, I’ll be happy to answer more deeply on your question.
