Members of CUPE’s national executive board joined other labour activists for a rally in support of the Canadian public broadcasting, and to call on the Conservative government to properly support and fund the CBC.
“We are here to send a clear message to Prime Minister Harper,” said Paul Moist, national president of CUPE, speaking at the lunch hour rally outside CBC’s Ottawa headquarters. “Keep the CBC a vibrant part of Canadian life, keep the CBC properly funded.”
The rally was hosted by the Canadian Media Guild, along with other national and local organizations urging the CBC board members to take action against funding cuts to the public broadcaster.
“The CBC and Radio-Canada are vital public service that enriches the cultural lives of every Canadian. We need the federal government to defend this institution, not tear it down,” said Moist, who was joined CUPE leaders from across the country, CLC President Hassan Yussuff, and many other union leaders and community members to show their support.
CUPE represents over 1750 workers at Radio-Canada in Québec, and is taking a leading role defending Canada’s public broadcasting with the J’aime Radio-Canada campaign.