CBC funds lavish getaways while shutting down Ukrainian RCI

Fellow blog Ukemonde got a response from CBC in regards to them shutting down their Ukrainian language broadcast of their Radio Canada International service:

As I am sure you understand, it was made after extensive consultation and a great deal of careful consideration, and in response to the very difficult financial situation at CBC/Radio-Canada. Although it is bound to Foreign Affairs objectives, Radio Canada International remains fully accountable for its programming. We recognize that the Ukrainian section that opened in 1952 is one of the service’s oldest. We also realize how important it is to the Ukrainian community, in both Canada and the Ukraine. That said, RCI must pull out all the stops to fulfill its mission with a considerably reduced workforce now. Despite the closing of the Ukrainian section and the cancellation of programming in Cantonese, RCI will continue to faithfully carry out its mandate, which is to produce and distribute programming that targets international audiences, with a view to raising awareness of Canada, its values, and its social, economic and cultural life.

But another blog Nash Holos points out that CBC hosted lavish events for their top executives (April 22, 2009):

CBC’s top executives spent more than $60,000 over six months holding meetings in luxury hotels and resorts and expensing such items as sparkling wine and limousine rides. …

More than $21,600 was spent sending 21 CBC and Radio-Canada human resources managers and senior executives to the ritzy Chateau Beauvallon in Mont-Tremblant, Que., for two days. The limo costs alone for one vice-president amounted to $1,009.94.

Is the CBC justified in cutting their Ukrainian language broadcast while using tax-payer money for executive fun?  You can let them know.

One thought on “CBC funds lavish getaways while shutting down Ukrainian RCI”

  1. Quite the lame excuse from RCI management. Tax payer money being thrown out the window, maybe an audit of their spending would be good call from our auditor general?

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