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ABOUT US
We are a public interest coalition of Canadian citizens, and listeners from around the world opposed to recent decisions by managers at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, at CBC-TV and especially at Radio Two. We believe in increased and sustained public funding for the CBC to allow CBC to fulfill its mandate. Read more.
On this site, you can learn about the issues, sign petitions, writing letters and read the latest entries in the blog.
THANKS and keep going!
The Stand on Guard for CBC Coalition would like to thank the hundreds of donors and volunteers who’ve donated thousands of dollars and hours since March 27 to voice our concerns about the orchestra and Radio 2 changes and to bring them to the attention of politicians and CBC management. The struggle continues!
NEWS FLASHES
Government of Canada rejects Standing Committee’s February report
June 19 • The government of Canada has rejected the February report of the CHPC. Read Minister of Heritage, Josée Verner’s announcement here. We first learned about this from a broadcastmagazine.com article. This means that CBC does not receive any long-term funding commitment from the government.
Government of Canada censors Canadian culture
August 18 • You will also notice posts on the topic of the Government of Canada’s August announcements cutting public funding – on a massive scale – to the arts. Since the CBC is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Government of Canada, we feel that news about the government’s cultural policy gives context to how the CBC is managed. We agree wholeheartedly with the Globe and Mail newspaper’s editorial of August 18.
Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage releases report: Our efforts are a (qualified) success!!!
June 18 • The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage incorporated most of our concerns into their report, released today, on the CBC Radio Orchestra and Radio 2. But their recommendation is no different than the recommendation given in February: to increase and stabilize CBC funding indexed to the cost of living. Read the conclusions, or download the report [PDF]. But our efforts must continue until CBC management accepts and acts on these recommendations and conclusions.
CBC Radio Orchestra producer Denise Ball to be honoured at Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Awards ceremony.
On June 23, 2008, 7 pm at the Vancouver Playhouse, CBC Radio Orchestra Producer Denise Ball was among several arts professionals and volunteers honoured at the City of Vancouver Mayor’s Arts Award. Click here for more information.
NEWS FLASH: WRITTEN PETITIONS TO PARLIAMENT ARE THE MOST EFFECTIVE. DOWNLOAD A PETITION TO SIGN HERE.
HERITAGE COMMITTEE UPDATE:
The Heritage Committee held hearings on May 27, 29, June 3 & 5 on the matter of the CBC Radio Orchestra, of programming at Radio 2, and of the changes at CBC. Several members of the national coalition were called. On June 18, their report from these hearings was released.
June 18: STUDY ON THE DISMANTLING OF THE CBC RADIO ORCHESTRA, ON CBC/RADIO CANADA’S COMMITMENT TO CLASSICAL MUSIC AND THE CHANGES TO CBC RADIO 2
- Download the entire report (PDF)
- Read only the recommendation and conclusions of the report.
- Learn about the process here.
May 24 RALLY DAY SUCCESS ACROSS CANADA
- Photos & Videos from the rallies.
- YOUTUBE video of Toronto’s choral singers infiltrating the CBC Atrium before rally.
- Article about Vancouver rally - posted in RECENT POSTS section.
Ben Heppner: “I am in a state of shock. As I have travelled throughout the world performing, I have been hearing alarming things about the CBC…I believe these sweeping changes are a gross mistake for our country.” Read more.
“I challenge you today, Mr. Lacroix and Mr. Stursberg, to look into the eyes of all these faces, alive and deceased, and tell them that what they have poured their life’s passion into is of marginal interest to this country, and that their artistry is not really relevant to culture… at least not the culture of Canada.” -Ivars Taurins. Complete speech here.
ABOUT US
We are a public interest coalition of Canadian citizens, and listeners from around the world opposed to recent decisions by managers at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, at CBC-TV and especially at Radio Two. We believe in increased and sustained public funding for the CBC to allow CBC to fulfill its mandate.
We are passionate about public broadcasting and the CBC’s role in Canadian culture. The CBC gives voice to citizens across this vast country.
Our current campaign aims to reverse the CBC management decision to eliminate the CBC Radio Orchestra by November 2008. Radio orchestras are internationally recognized as essential and independent voices of a nation’s creativity. The CBC Radio Orchestra’s history of fostering new talent in many genres helps make stronger the nation’s cultural fabric. That strengthened cultural fabric leads to deeper understanding, both nationally and internationally, of who we are as Canadians.
Similarly, we are deeply worried by programming changes to CBC Radio 2. Despite statements to the contrary by the CBC, there will be less programming devoted to classical music, and less time for Canadian composers and performers to be heard. This will drastically reduce opportunities for Canadian musicians whose choice and strength is in classical music and who deserve to be heard and appreciated, here, and around the world.
We are calling on the CBC board and management to:
Restore the CBC Radio Orchestra within a revitalized CBC Radio
If you agree to lend your name to our nationwide efforts, you can start by signing petitions, and continue by writing letters to CBC and government to ask for changes. This site is full of information to help you understand the issues, as well as materials for letter-writing, petitioning, and rallies you may download, print, copy and distribute, plus other tools to help spread the word.
If you represent an organization, business, or arts presenter, we would like you to consider hosting a letter writing campaign and/or petition placement at your office or upcoming event. There are samples of both on our website: click on “You Can Take Action” menu. Addresses of politicians and CBC management are there too.
If you or your organization support this cause and would like your name included on our list of supporters, please click here.
Together we can affect change!
Save the CBC Orchestra Committee
Based in Vancouver, Reaching Across the Country
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