CBC/Radio-Canada will cut fewer jobs this year thanks to new government funding, management announced to employees Wednesday in an internal letter seen by AFP.
Last December, the group explained that it planned to cut 600 jobs, or 10% of its workforce, in 2024. This should be added to 200 vacant positions.
“Since then, we have reduced our workforce by 141 employees and eliminated 205 job vacancies,” management explained in its letter, explaining that it no longer plans “significant additional reductions this year.”
On Tuesday, in its 2024 budget, the federal government announced $42 million in additional funding for CBC/Radio-Canada for the current year.
“This investment in the public broadcaster is welcome and timely. This will help the company manage its financial challenges in a more stable manner.”
The group does not provide details on which jobs have already been eliminated. Initially, 250 jobs were to go to the CBC, the group's English-language network, another 250 to Radio-Canada, its French-speaking segment, and the rest to be technical and support jobs.
Many Canadian media outlets, including the largest, are currently in poor financial shape due to the erosion of their advertising revenues and competition from digital giants.
Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE), Canada's largest communications and media company, in February announced the elimination of 4,800 jobs, or 9% of its workforce, as well as the sale of 45 radio stations.
At the beginning of November, more than 500 TVA Group employees were laid off, or about a third of the workforce.
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