Call to Action:

Tell your MPs to save local news

Hundreds of Canadian news outlets have closed over the last two decades, and virtually all others have downsized. Thousands of journalists and media workers have lost their jobs. Our democracy, economy and sense of community suffer as a result.

The Liberal government has introduced Bill C-11 to modernize the Broadcasting Act so that it recognizes the impact of the internet and streaming services such as Netflix.

The last time the Broadcasting Act was updated was in 1991, well before the internet was a part of everyone's lives. The subsequent change in the business model from broadcast television to internet streaming weakened Canadian content production, reduced the diversity of voices in this country and severely diminished local news production. This is creating a news vacuum in many communities.

Bill C-11 tries to level the playing field between Canadian broadcasters and American streamers, but it’s missing one thing…support for local news. Therefore, the Media Action Plan (MAP) wants C-11 amended to ensure the Broadcasting Act mandates the CRTC to support local news.

By signing this petition, you're telling your local MPs and the Heritage Committee you care about saving local news and you want them to do something about it.

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Le texte en français suit le texte en anglais.

An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act – C-11

With the loss of the Local Programming Improvement Fund (LPIF) and the steady loss of advertising revenues to foreign online platforms, the CRTC must be mandated to sustain local news. 

We believe that tying local news funding to actual local staffing levels is the most reliable metric to ensure that industry funds are spent exclusively for the purpose they are intended: the creation and delivery of relevant and timely local news that Canadians rely upon.


Soutenir des médias d’information dynamiques pour une société démocratique

En raison de la perte du Le Fonds pour l’amélioration de la programmation locale (FAPL) et de la baisse constante des recettes publicitaires, le CRTC doit être mandaté pour créer un mécanisme par lequel les entreprises médiatiques nationales et étrangères (Netflix) cotisent à un fonds pour les nouvelles locales qui peut être distribué à toutes les stations de télévision et de radio locales afin de soutenir les nouvelles locales. Ce financement devrait être fondé sur les niveaux de dotation en personnel pour assurer la reddition de comptes.

À cette fin, Unifor appuie la présentation du projet de loi C-11 et recommande ce qui suit:

Nous pensons que le fait de lier le financement des nouvelles locales aux niveaux réels de personnel local est la mesure la plus fiable pour s’assurer que les fonds de l’industrie sont dépensés exclusivement dans le but auquel ils sont destinés : que les Canadiennes et Canadiens reçoivent les nouvelles locales pertinentes et opportunes sur lesquelles ils comptent.

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This campaign is hosted by Unifor Media Action Plan. We will protect your privacy, and keep you informed about this campaign and others.

Cette campagne est parrainée par le Plan d'action médias d'Unifor. Nous protégerons votre vie privée et vous tiendrons informé de cette campagne et des autres.