CBC marks Mao’s death with glowing tribute to communist dictator who killed millions
Radio-Canada promotes nostalgia for Mao Zedong while reducing decades of famine, persecution and mass death to mere ‘dark pages’.
CBC’s French-language arm is showcasing the enduring popularity of Chinese communist dictator Mao Zedong, 50 years after his death.
A Radio-Canada re-published a wire service article under the headline “Long live Mao!” describes how Mao continues to “inspire” admirers in China, where crowds gathered in his hometown of Shaoshan carrying portraits, Communist flags and copies of his Little Red Book.
“I have deep respect for him, and I was marked by his spirit,” one 28-year-old admirer told the outlet.
Another declared that Mao “was a selfless person who opened a new era for China.”
Readers are treated to descriptions of commemorative flowers, revolutionary songs, souvenir shops and emotional admirers. The tens of millions who died under Mao’s rule receive considerably less sentimental treatment.
Radio-Canada acknowledges that Mao’s reign was marked by “tens of millions of deaths,” including those caused by the catastrophic Great Leap Forward and the violence of the Cultural Revolution. Yet the horrors are framed as the “dark pages” of Maoism and balanced against nostalgia for its “egalitarian ideals.”
Mao ruled China from 1949 until his death in 1976. His forced collectivization campaign produced mass famine, while political purges, labour camps and the Cultural Revolution destroyed lives, families, religious institutions and much of China’s cultural heritage.
Asked about the Cultural Revolution, one young admirer called it “controversial” and described it as part of Mao’s difficult search for a better China.
“I think that deep down, his ambition was to give China a more ideal and equitable society,” he said.
The story was supplied by Agence France-Presse and republished by Radio-Canada. Still, CBC’s editors chose to publish this soft-focus tour through nostalgia for one of history’s deadliest communist dictators.
Apparently, the public broadcaster’s rule is simple: when communism kills tens of millions, lead with the gift shop anecdotes.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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COMMENTS
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Ruth Bard commented 2026-09-11 21:51:31 -0400I can see people inside China saying stupid stuff like that, because they’ll get punished if they don’t, but here, where factual info is available (at least for now)? Wow. Every time I think the CBC can’t get any worse, they surprise me. -
Bruce Atchison commented 2026-09-11 19:14:54 -0400This is why it’s crucial that Alberta leave communist Canada. Mao was a horrid person whose only passion was power. He used useful idiots to gain power and then murdered and tortured all who criticized his rule. He also broke his promises to the peasants that they could keep their land. And since this seems to be the goal of the Carney Liberals, we must reach escape velocity as soon as possible.
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Bernhard Jatzeck commented 2026-09-11 11:50:50 -0400Considering how chummy Canada has become with the Chicomms nowadays, I’m not surprised.
