NLIS 4
May 3, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Minister calls upon provinces, territories and all citizens of Canadato oppose potential CBC cuts

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today called upon the other Canadian provinces, territories and citizens across Canada to call upon the federal government to ensure that adequate funding is provided to the CBC to ensure local and regional television programming throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada is maintained.

"This past week all parties in the House of Assembly passed a unanimous resolution calling upon the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to cease immediately any plan to cut local television programming such as Here and Now," said Furey. "It is time for the other provinces and every resident of this country to add their voices to this cause, so as to ensure that our regional identities are preserved through the continuation of local programming."

In a letter to Heritage Minister Sheila Copps earlier this week, Furey expressed his concerns to Minister Copps saying: "In my capacity as minister responsible for culture in the province, I deplore this action, both for the country and for the province I was elected to serve."

The planned action by the CBC is the latest in a series of actions which have served to diminish one of Canada�s most important and treasured assets, which is a national broadcasting system serving the needs of the diverse regions across the country. A plan to restructure Here and Now would see a centralized storefront for news programming based in Toronto, with regional inserts. This action clearly goes against the expressed policy and direction of the CBC�s mandate for regional programming and against the needs identified by concerned citizens, groups and professionals in this province.

"Award-winning Here and Now is the highest rated CBC evening newscast in the country and employs many professional people, including performers, writers, journalists, technicians, producers, directors, designers and administrators, people who have gone onto develop and export international and national cultural products," added Furey. "The loss of this regional programming will result in significant loss in employment and the loss of one of our province�s most valuable cultural icons."

"I encourage all Canadians to take action and write to Minsiter Copps and your federal Member of Parliament to protest the deep and severe cuts which are coming to CBC television here at home and throughout the country," said Furey.

Media contact: Mary MacNab, Communications, (709) 729-0928, or (709) 682-0366.

2000 05 03                                                  3:35 p.m.