CBC

foggy, rainy, mild temps plus 4

Very atmospheric. Love days like this. Everything outside smells musky and sweet. A real spring day. Snow almost gone...just sticking around where the plow created piles - now melted to strips.

CBC Radio and Television got word yesterday of specific cuts. Dreadful. Terrible for the people who work there, and work so hard. And terrible for Canada. The CBC is a gem, a treasure. It hasn't always done a great job, it's sometimes gone astray. Some management decisions were short-sighted, self-serving, ridiculous. Mostly when it's decided to compete with private broadcasters. In my view the CBC is uniquely placed to take chances, to do things that will get little audience but is vital to Canada - like bringing the regions to the attention of the whole.

But overall, the CBC is wonderful - and is often inspired. I think a number of 'institutions' distinguish Canada. Universal health care, the railway, and the CBC. Each built on a social-democratic philosophy...where the individual matters, and can be accomodated within a strong whole.

Sadly, each of those foundations, so strong in the 60's and 70's - has been worn away.

It was horrible to be in contact yesterday with my friends and former colleagues at CBC and hear their anguish. Canada needs a strong, fearless (sometimes flawed), public broadcaster, that has the courage of its convictions. And these people work so hard, for little money (you don't get rich by working for the public broadcaster), to bring Canadians their own stories. Private stations also do a terrific job, but their mandate is different...pretty much to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. The CBC's mandate is to reflect Canada to Canadians.

Enough. But I feel so strongly about this. I joined CBC in my early 20's - traveled across the country, living in differnt regions, because I believed in the philosophy. And wanted to know my country. And it breaks my heart to see people who have worked so hard, often thanklessly, treated so badly.

Anyway - Susan's coming this weekend. Staying in the cottage. Will be here for a bbq dinner. Really looking forward to seeing her! Off for breakfast and to do some chores.

Speak tomorrow.