Heritage minister won't rule out bonus for CBC CEO

Of $42 million in increased funding to CBC in last year's federal budget, $19 million was paid out in executive bonuses for job “performance.”

“It appears that you're unwilling to rule out giving her a generous bonus and a generous compensation exit package. Certainly, I think the Canadians demand more respect for their tax dollars,” Conservative MP Damien Kurek told Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge at the Commons heritage committee Thursday. 

The committee heard that Catherine Tait, the outgoing CBC CEO, is the highest-paid person in the nearly 100-year history of the state broadcaster. Yet, she has overseen a massive contraction in viewership coupled with financial mismanagement resulting in hundreds of layoffs. 

Of $42 million in increased funding to CBC in last year's federal budget, $19 million was paid out in executive bonuses for job “performance.”

Conservative MP Kevin Waugh, a former longtime local broadcaster in Saskatchewan, pressed the minister about the allocation of tax dollars into the designer pockets of execs at the failing network which already receives close to $1.5 billion in annual subsidies.

“Does this sit well with you as the minister that the rank and file in this case paid the price and the bonuses were given? Your department gave the extra $42 million, $18 million of that went to the executives. Does that sit well with you today, trying to save journalism as you said?”

Catherine Tait's salary is higher than even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's, ranging between $468,000 and $561,000 plus so-called performance bonuses. 

Tait's term mercifully ends on January 3, 2025. She began her six-year stint at the helm of the CBC on July 3, 2018.

PETITION: Pay The Money Back, Tait!

1,660 signatures
Goal: 10,000 signatures

CBC CEO Catherine Tait has been caught red-handed charging Canadian taxpayers $6,000 for a personal trip to the Paris Olympics, including staying at a $1,000-a-night luxury hotel. Despite admitting that this trip was for personal reasons, Tait brazenly passed the bill on to you, the hardworking citizens of Canada. This is yet another glaring example of the CBC’s culture of entitlement, with no accountability for their misuse of public funds. We won’t stand for this abuse. Demand that Catherine Tait repay every cent — sign our petition now and hold her accountable!

Will you sign?

Sheila Gunn Reid

Chief Reporter

Sheila Gunn Reid is the Alberta Bureau Chief for Rebel News and host of the weekly The Gunn Show with Sheila Gunn Reid. She's a mother of three, conservative activist, and the author of best-selling books including Stop Notley.

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