Get The Facts: What Quebecor won’t tell you about its attacks
on the public broadcaster
 For more than three years, Quebecor has been using its
newspapers, and more recently, its SunNews Network TV
license to pursue a campaign against CBC/Radio-Canada.
But there
are some things Quebecor won’t tell you:
- Quebecor has received more than half a
billion dollars in direct and indirect subsidies and benefits
from Canadian taxpayers over the past three years, yet it is
not
accountable to them.
- Quebecor uses this public subsidy and its
dominant position in protected industries to make record profits yet
complains that its TVA television network "competes” against
Radio-Canada.
- Quebecor boss Pierre Karl Péladeau has sent over
a dozen letters to the Prime Minister and others in government to
complain that Radio-Canada does not spend enough money advertising
in his newspapers.
[note: Anthony Fenton informs, Quebecor is currently engaging legal advice on the matter of suing the CBC over its 'Examining Quebecor Media's Free Market Message' page. - ed.]
Quebecor
says we’re not accountable. They’re wrong.
- We report to Parliament through our Corporate Plan, Annual Report and
Committee appearances.
- We report to the CRTC through regulatory filings and license renewals;
- We report to the Auditor General of Canada who reviews our books every year
and who conducts a special audit every five to ten years;
- We report to the Board of Directors, which is appointed by government to
ensure that the Corporation manages its resources effectively.
- We
report to Canadians through the posting on our website of the
cost of meals, flights, and hotels. We also post details of audits,
Board meetings, quarterly financial reports, and over 27,000 pages
of information released under ATI. See for yourselfhere.
Quebecor
says we shouldn’t go to court to protect journalistic sources or
program strategies. Why?
- We, and
the Information Commissioner, are trying to clarify the rules which
protect "journalistic, programming, and creative activities”. This
is the proper thing to do.
- In fact,
government departments and Ministers have gone to court more than
180 times with the Information Commissioner to clarify Access to
Information issues.
CBC/Radio-Canada’s promise to Canadians
That we will continue to offer the great Canadian programs they
love.
That they will see the value of their investment in our programs and
services.
That we will remain accountable for the work we do.
We don’t expect Quebecor to do the same.
We just think you should know what they won’t tell you.
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