Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-379-5

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References: 2019-379, 2019-379-1, 2019-379-2, 2019-379-3, 2019-379-4, 2019-379-6 and 2019-379-7

Ottawa, 18 December 2020

Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0379

Notice of hearing

11 January 2021
Gatineau, Quebec

Reply by the Corporation to a Commission request for information

  1. In Broadcasting Notices of Consultation 2019-379 and 2019-379-2, the Commission announced that it would hold a hearing on 11 January 2021 for the renewal of the broadcasting licences for the English- and French-language audio and audiovisual programming services of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation/Société Radio-Canada (the Corporation).
  2. In a Commission letter issued 10 November 2020, as noted in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2019-379-4, the Commission requested that the Corporation file additional information relating to the manner in which the production of its English- and French-language in-house programming meaningfully includes in key production roles individuals that reflect the diversity of Canadian society – which includes women, Indigenous peoples, ethnic and multicultural communities, Canadians with disabilities and Canadians who identify as LGBTQ2.
  3. The Commission added that if the Corporation does not have or collect this information, it should explain how it believes it can meet its diversity targets without such information. The Commission requested that the Corporation file its reply providing this information by no later than 1 December 2020.
  4. On 1 December 2020, the Corporation filed a reply with the Commission, which has been placed on the public record for this proceeding. In its reply, the Corporation did not provide any of the requested information regarding the key production roles held by members of the diverse Canadian population. It cited confidentiality concerns and indicated that it was not in a position to provide the data due to the voluntary nature of employee disclosure. The Corporation further argued that it experienced difficulties with translating its internal job classifications into the Commission’s categories of “key leadership positions.”
  5. The Commission is dissatisfied with the Corporation’s reply. It is important for the Commission to have the necessary information to consider how the Corporation is, through its programming, reflecting the circumstances and aspirations of all members of Canadian society. The Commission intends to question the Corporation on these issues at the 11 January 2021 public hearing.

Secretary General

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