Committee informed by President that CBC has not yet made decision on 2023 Executive Bonuses
CBC CEO and president Catherine Tait states that the organization has not yet made a decision regarding the awarding of bonuses to executives in 2023. She mentioned that a decision will be reached in June after internal discussions with the board of directors during the June board meeting, following the presentation of audited financial statements. Once these discussions take place, employees will be informed, Ms. Tait informed the Commons heritage committee on May 7.
In December 2023, the public broadcaster announced plans to eliminate around 600 CBC and Radio-Canada jobs and leave about 200 vacancies unfilled due to a $125-million budget deficit. When pressed by a CBC reporter about whether executives would still receive bonuses, Ms. Tait responded that it was too early to provide a definitive answer.
Conservative MP Rachael Thomas raised concerns on May 7, inquiring if Ms. Tait would personally receive a bonus. Ms. Tait clarified that no decision had been made, stating, “I do not know if I will receive a bonus, as the process for governor and council positions is separate from performance pay,” during a response to Ms. Thomas.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation has sought access-to-information records on CBC bonuses for eight executives, filing a complaint with the Office of the Information Commissioner on May 6. The CBC explained that more time was needed and assured that details about the bonuses would be disclosed on or before May 10, 2024.
When asked on May 7 by Ms. Thomas if she could provide the information, Ms. Tait indicated that the corporation had not yet reviewed the final results for the fiscal year ending on March 31, 2024, which was essential for making a decision.
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Upon this, Ms. Thomas accused Ms. Tait of lying either during the current session or during her previous appearance before the committee on Jan. 30, where she stated that a decision would be made by the board at the end of the fiscal year ending in March 2024.
Reacting to the accusation, Ms. Tait expressed her objection, stating, “I really take objection to being called a liar, which has happened several times [at the committee].” She further clarified, “I made it clear that at the [Jan. 30] board meeting, following the end of the fiscal year, we would be reviewing the results for the fiscal year. That meeting is always held in June.”
NDP MP Niki Ashton criticized the public discourse surrounding executive bonuses as “wildly irresponsible” given the ongoing employee layoffs and the diminishing coverage of local communities by the broadcaster.
“Will you commit to cancelling executive bonuses to save as many jobs as possible?” Ms. Ashton inquired.
In response, Ms. Tait mentioned, “I believe I’ve answered this question … the consideration on performance pay will be deliberated at our next board meeting.”
$100 Million Budget Deficit
During her opening statement, Ms. Tait informed the committee about the CBC facing a $100 million deficit in the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year. To address the financial situation, the organization eliminated 205 vacant positions and laid off 141 employees.
The recent federal budget allocated an additional $42 million in funding to the CBC, on top of the $1.4 billion received in 2023. Ms. Tait mentioned that this funding “will allow us to maintain our services and manage this year without further job cuts to balance our budget. However, we are not yet out of the woods.”
She highlighted that all Canadian media organizations are grappling with challenges in a “digital world dominated by global players who do not share the same commitment to Canada’s national interests.
“We are all struggling with structural issues, especially when we consider Google, Facebook, Netflix, or Amazon, companies that have entered our market with limited or no regulatory obligations,” she added.
