CBC Executive Tait Justifies Executive Bonuses and Paris Hotel Stay Billing

October 21, 2024 TruthUSA

CBC President and CEO Catherine Tait is justifying the expense of a $1,000-per-night hotel stay during her trip to the Paris Olympics by explaining that she interrupted her vacation to attend the opening ceremony on behalf of the news organization.

Tait shared these details while testifying before the Heritage Committee on Oct. 21, where she was called upon to address concerns about executives receiving hefty bonuses amid layoffs and budget cuts.

Tait clarified that she was in Paris for a personal trip and didn’t charge Canadian taxpayers for her flights. In a proactive disclosure, it was revealed that Tait spent $3,955 on a four-night stay at the luxurious Hôtel du Collectionneur, along with additional expenses for meals, transportation, and other costs.

Tait emphasized that attending the Olympics’ opening ceremony on July 26 was part of her responsibilities as the CBC/Radio-Canada CEO, especially since CBC was the official broadcaster for the event. She highlighted that missing such a significant event would have been concerning.

During the session, Conservative MP Jamil Jivani raised concerns about Tait’s delineation between personal and billable time, questioning if the average Canadian might find her trip troubling.

When asked about the substantial bonuses paid to employees, Tait explained that the payments were based on performance criteria, with a portion of salaries being held back at the start of the year and distributed later if targets were met. She confirmed that she did not receive a bonus for the 2023 or 2024 fiscal years.

Questioned on Bonus Pay

Furthermore, Tait addressed queries about the $18.4 million in bonuses given out to CBC employees, with a significant portion going to executives. She underscored that executive bonuses had remained consistent for the past decade and emphasized the need for fiscal responsibility and independence in the organization.

CBC’s bonus allocation has drawn criticism amidst job cuts and funding increases. The organization faces a budget shortfall due to declining TV ad revenues and heightened competition in the digital sphere.

Tait defended the decision to award bonuses to employees and assured the committee that she would abide by the corporation’s commitments to all staff members. She emphasized the importance of honoring these commitments while maintaining fiscal prudence.

As the debate continues about CBC’s operations and funding, Tait remains focused on upholding the organization’s autonomy and fulfilling its obligations to its employees and viewers.

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