Montreal Radio: Thousands Protest CBC Layoffs

Montreal Gazette photo

There was an outpouring of support for the CBC/Radio-Canada as thousands of people took to the streets on a wintry Sunday afternoon to protest ongoing budget and job cuts, according to The Montreal Gazette.

Waving blue flags decorated with the CBC/Radio-Canada logo, thousands of “friends” of the CBC/Radio-Canada marched from Victoria Square to the CBC headquarters on René Lévesque Blvd., calmly but loudly denouncing the cuts, which many believe constitute an assault on the broadcaster.

Many spoke of Radio-Canada’s role in Quebec as being more than a provider of news and entertainment, but as preserving the francophone culture.

“If something isn’t done, these cuts may mean that Radio-Canada’s mandate to protect the French culture won’t be fulfilled,” said Lisa Djevahirdjian, one of the organizers of the Montreal protest.

Similar protests were held in nine other cities. They were organized with the help of some of Radio-Canada’s main unions, but as a result of support for a grassroots organization called I Love CBC/Friends of Canadian Broadcasting.

CBC/Radio-Canada president Hubert Lacroix has announced plans to cuts 1,500 jobs (almost 20 per cent of the work force) by 2020 — and some at Sunday’s demonstration were calling for him to resign. He has been accused of aiding and abetting the Conservatives’ agenda to slowly demolish the company.