The Canadian Media Guild (CMG), Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada (SCRC), Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) and Association of Professionals and Supervisors (APS) have filed letters to the Privy Council in support of worker representatives who have put their names forward as Directors for the CBC/Radio-Canada Board.
In welcoming Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly’s recent announcement of a new process for appointments to the Board, we also believe that the new Board will benefit from giving employees an actual seat at the table, with at least one Director chosen by unions at CBC/Radio-Canada.
This is consistent with a 2016 CMG convention resolution urging work towards securing a seat at the table on the CBC/Radio-Canada Board for union-selected worker representatives.
Our unions are proud to support Lise Lareau, Natalie Clancy and Rufo Valencia’s applications as CBC/Radio-Canada Board Directors. We are convinced that their work experience at CBC/Radio-Canada, their proven leadership, and their dedication to public service media will be a positive asset for the Board.
Time for union representatives on the CBC/Radio-Canada Board
Given the upheaval in the media industry, we must ensure that public service media is strengthened and continues to be available for future generations of Canadians.
Together, our unions are comprised of thousands of dedicated and talented workers at CBC / Radio-Canada. We create and produce high-quality news, current affairs, and cultural programming, as well as additional sorts of original content available across all CBC/Radio-Canada platforms. As workers at CBC/Radio-Canada, we are dedicated to the public broadcaster’s mandate.
CBC/Radio-Canada is not just another player in the media industry, but a public asset created to serve people across Canada. Therefore, it needs strong leadership from its Board of Directors.
CBC’s Board must ensure the independence and long-term sustainability of CBC/Radio-Canada – qualities that are essential to public service media and Canada’s public broadcaster.
Indeed, it is our concern about ensuring CBC/Radio-Canada’s independence that prompted our unions to call for an open and non-partisan process to select the public broadcaster’s Board of Directors in the first place.
The Board of the most important cultural institution in Canada must contain diverse viewpoints. These are vital in order to properly consider and assess various courses of action.
Jurisdictions where employees have Board-level representation also report improvements in collaboration and trust between those heading the organization and those tasked with executing its functions
Worker representatives on the Board will bring a deep understanding of the practical work and combined efforts that are required to sustain and operate CBC/Radio-Canada every day. This firsthand knowledge and perspective will broaden and enhance the Board’s strategic vision.
It is for these reasons that we support Lise Lareau, Natalie Clancy, and Rufo Valencia‘s applications for appointment to the CBC/Radio-Canada Board of Directors.
Likewise, we hope all applicants are offered due consideration.
Jonathan Spence
CBC Branch President, Canadian Media Guild (CMG)
Kamala Rao
President, Canadian Media Guild (CMG)
Johanne Hémond
President, Syndicat des communications de Radio-Canada (SCRC)
Pascale St-Onge
President, Fédération Nationale des Communications – CSN
Jacques Létourneau
President, Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN)
Mario Poudrier
President, Association of Professionals and Supervisors (APS)
Information about the applicants
Lise Lareau
During her 30-year career as a journalist at CBC/Radio-Canada, Lise has worked for positive change in the industry at a time of dramatic upheaval and change.
During her 10 years as president of the Canadian Media Guild, she placed a priority on developing strategies to advocate structural changes that would benefit the industry as a whole, and of course, those who work in it. Lise also has extensive experience serving on executive boards.
Natalie Clancy
Natalie brings 25 years of experience having lived and reported from eight provinces for CBC News. She is a New Brunswick born Acadian currently living in Vancouver and has spent hundreds of hours in courtrooms, screening rooms, crime scenes, and in Canadian living rooms listening closely to get the real story. Over that time she has deployed a rigorous, non-partisan, and objective approach.
Natalie is also the CMG representative on CBC’s National Health and Safety Policy Committee which works collaboratively with management to review and improve safety. Among other outcomes, this is leading towards the creation of a PTSD prevention program for journalists covering hostile environments. Natalie also has extensive board service experience.
Rufo Valencia
Rufo has served previously as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Campus and Community Radio Association (NCRA). With 20 years of experience with Radio Canada International, he knows the need for and the value of public radio from Cape Breton to Campbell River, from Moose Jaw to Prince George.
He brings the perspective of someone with direct and extensive experience who also holds a commitment to the future success of public radio. He understands the urgency of achieving greater diversity within the national public broadcaster. Above all, he is convinced that CBC/Radio-Canada has a crucial role to play in the construction and development of a multicultural, democratic, and inclusive Canadian society.