The Canadian Media Guild welcomes CBC’s plan to improve local programming in communities across the country, add TV weekend newscasts in Toronto and Calgary and open a new radio station in Kamloops, BC.

The changes announced today, the first steps in CBC/Radio-Canada’s Plan 2015, should improve Canadians’ access to quality local news and other programming.

“This is certainly a step in the right direction,” says Carmel Smyth, national president of the Canadian Media Guild. “And we salute the people of Kamloops, who have fought for better CBC service for some time.”

Kamloops is the beneficiary of the first new CBC radio station since the early 1990s, when the Victoria station opened. The CBC expansion will provide new opportunities for media workers after many years of cutbacks.

“Our members love to serve the public and have worked hard to maintain a strong connection with local audiences through difficult times,” says Marc-Philippe Laurin, president the Guild’s CBC/Radio-Canada branch. “The improvements announced today, including reinvestments in many of the stations that suffered budget cuts in 2009, are a welcome confirmation that the CBC has heard our members’ concerns.”

The Guild receives regular briefings from the CBC on Plan 2015 and applauds efforts to improve public broadcasting.

And don’t forget: the Guild is here to help members address any issues that arise in your station or department.

For more information, contact the Guild (info@cmg.ca) at 416-591-5333 or 1-800-465-4149.