CBC loses court case

[Boges]

OTTAWA—The CBC has lost another key court battle in its efforts to keep internal documents secret.

The Federal Court of Appeal ruled against the public broadcaster today, saying the CBC is legally required to turn over material for review by the information commissioner of Canada.

The case involved 16 requests for information that the CBC said it did not have to provide under a provision in the law that lets it protect certain journalistic and creative material.

The broadcaster also refused to allow information commissioner Suzanne Legault to see the documents so she could review their decision, after requesters complained.

Legault took the case to court, winning in 2010 and winning again today after the CBC had appealed.

The public broadcaster became subject to the Access to Information Act in September 2007, and has since been flooded with hundreds of requests, many from a law firm representing Sun Media.

How many appeals will they make before they just release the frickin' documents.

They must really be embarrassed for taxpayers to find out how they spend their money.

Edited November 23, 2011 by Boges

[Wild Bill]

How many appeals will they make before they just release the frickin' documents.

They must really be embarrassed for taxpayers to find out how they spend their money.

You know Boges, I think it's even worse than that. I'm betting what they're really afraid of is everyone finding out their accounting is in a mess!

They've never been accountable for how they spent their money before, not to the people of Canada or to any bank for corporate financing. If they ran a deficit the federal gov't would always have to bail them out.

So their books are probably a total mess! Like a teenager who has had the house to himself all summer and suddenly learns his parents are cutting their vacation short a few weeks early and will be home that evening!

If this is what is revealed it will be a far worse scandal than just where they spent their money. It would show that even the CBC doesn't know where and how much!

[Shwa]

How many appeals will they make before they just release the frickin' documents.

They must really be embarrassed for taxpayers to find out how they spend their money.

I hardly think so. How does this compare to the all the information that they have released in the past under the ATI Act? Are you aware of that amount? I bet you aren't. Regardless, this case is the test of the redactability of information based on a particular exemption that is unique to the CBC.

If they had embarassing information that was not exempted from disclosure, they would have to release it wouldn't they?

[Shwa]

They've never been accountable for how they spent their money before, not to the people of Canada or to any bank for corporate financing. If they ran a deficit the federal gov't would always have to bail them out.

Just about the dumbest thing I have read on MLW to date.

[olp1fan]

So CBC only has to show the information comissioner and that is it

Quebecor does not get to see the documents and neither does the public

This sounds like a good deal for CBC

[Shwa]

So CBC only has to show the information comissioner and that is it

Quebecor does not get to see the documents and neither does the public

This sounds like a good deal for CBC

Not quite. The Information Commissioner can rule on the validity of using the special exemption or releasing the information. Often times a department will refuse to release information on the grounds of one expemption or another and the Information Commissioner is the sort of ombudsman of the process.

[olp1fan]

Not quite. The Information Commissioner can rule on the validity of using the special exemption or releasing the information. Often times a department will refuse to release information on the grounds of one expemption or another and the Information Commissioner is the sort of ombudsman of the process.

in that case cbc should appeal to the SCC

afterall its what harper always does when he doesnt get his way

Edited November 23, 2011 by olp1fan

[grogy]

in that case cbc should appeal to the SCC

afterall its what harper always does when he doesnt get his way

Thats how our system works child.

[Shwa]

in that case cbc should appeal to the SCC

On what grounds?

[Topaz]

It came out in the committee hearings that most TV networks get some form of taxpayers money, even SunTV, which the owner admitted. Now having said that, any body who gets taxpayers should money should be open and clear on all information when asked. So why hasn't the government been open and clear when they are asked about their information to the opposition parties. The government does dp what it preaches, but then Canadians are waking up to that.

[The_Squid]

I can see not releasing the documents if they are trying to protect sources for investigative reports or some such. But the everyday workings of the CBC should be subject to FOI.

EDIT:

The court said that journalistic documents remain exempt, so that answers that.

Also, this will release the documents to the Information Commissioner who can still conclude that the documents were properly handled and that they fall under section 68.1 and would remain confidential.

Edited November 24, 2011 by The_Squid

[Guest Derek L]

You know, I think that optics wise, the CBC is it’s own worst enemy. All this secrecy will do is throw further fuel on the fire to sell it off…..in a sense, that’s a shame. I actually watch CBC for it’s news coverage, documentaries and sports, and though it’s a service all Canadians pay for, but hardly any watch, prior to privatizing it, I’d like the government to change it’s format (and in turn reduce it’s budget)……..Do away with the lousy sitcoms, comedy shows and sports and revamp it into a more PBS like format……I think a CBC focused on news coverage, documentaries and nature/science programming could really fill a void left by the changing format of History channel and Discovery…and perhaps increase viewership and profitability.

[dre]

I dont mind the CBC... I dont watch it very much, but Im definately not one of these tards than whines about its left wing bias, and cries about public funding.

But I have no problem with this ruling. Institutions that want public funding should open up their records and books to the public no matter WHO they are. Whether youre a private school, and oil company or the CBC if you want public money then the public should be able to audit you, and inspect your shit.

The CBC's documents should be a matter of public record.

[Guest Derek L]

I dont mind the CBC... I dont watch it very much, but Im definately not one of these tards than whines about its left wing bias, and cries about public funding.

But I have no problem with this ruling. Institutions that want public funding should open up their records and books to the public no matter WHO they are. Whether youre a private school, and oil company or the CBC if you want public money then the public should be able to audit you, and inspect your shit.

The CBC's documents should be a matter of public record.

Agreed 110%

[Evening Star]

Do away with the lousy sitcoms, comedy shows and sports and revamp it into a more PBS like format……I think a CBC focused on news coverage, documentaries and nature/science programming could really fill a void left by the changing format of History channel and Discovery…and perhaps increase viewership and profitability.

I don't entirely disagree with this, actually (although I'd be in favour of maintaining some cultural programming).

[olp1fan]

to the people who want The CBC to do away with sports i have 3 words for you

GO TO HELL

[William Ashley]

http://www.olympic.ca/media/files/photos/2006-Freestyle-JenniferHeil_jpg_427x1200_upscale_q85.jpg

http://publications.mcgill.ca/mcgillnews/files/2010/01/Jennifer.Heil2_hires.jpg

http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowlDC/original/heil%20e.jpg

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/174/siegheilsingcm4.jpg/

Proud to be Canadian

http://misseye.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/stephen-harper.jpg

The untold reports of the CBC, Harper the unseen journey , what the cbc tried to keep secret from the Harper Government --- the truth.

note my original comment was better but my computer was crashed just before posting....

Edited November 24, 2011 by William Ashley

[Guest Derek L]

I don't entirely disagree with this, actually (although I'd be in favour of maintaining some cultural programming).

Define cultural programming though……An occasional Canadian movie perhaps?

[dre]

Define cultural programming though……An occasional Canadian movie perhaps?

The problem is its soo subjective. I cant stand TV sitcoms period, so it would be easy for me back you on this. But other people feel different. If I had my way the CBC would have hockey, MMA, News and naked lesbian mud wrestling... but if someone wants beachcombers or anne of green gables, then all the power to em.

[Evening Star]

to the people who want The CBC to do away with sports i have 3 words for you

GO TO HELL

Are you worried that other networks won't carry sports?? Admittedly, HNIC is a moneymaker for the Ceeb so maybe it should be preserved after all...

[olp1fan]

Are you worried that other networks won't carry sports?? Admittedly, HNIC is a moneymaker for the Ceeb so maybe it should be preserved after all...

CBC just doesn't have HNIC, they play a lot of curling, down hill skiing, speed skating, ice skating...should the CBC no longer exist for sports the other stations aren't going to all of a sudden pick all of these other sports up...while they do play some of these sports the CBC coverage of them is always top notch

Sorry but CBC Sports is as Canadian as saying eh is

Over my dead body

[Guest Derek L]

The problem is its soo subjective. I cant stand TV sitcoms period, so it would be easy for me back you on this. But other people feel different. If I had my way the CBC would have hockey, MMA, News and naked lesbian mud wrestling... but if someone wants beachcombers or anne of green gables, then all the power to em.

To each his or her own, but the pro sports/movies/sitcoms/reality TV/game shows etc is already available on other networks, that can arguably do it better……A “Canadian PBS” could fulfill a certain niche market, well promoting Canadian culture at a reasonable cost.

[olp1fan]

Derek I realize you and your sick conservative evil doer buddies want to change Canada so go ahead and try to turn The CBC into an American style PBS channel, you apparently don't think this will offend the majority of Canadians

DO IT! GO AHEAD!!

This will be the best thing for Canada because next election you and your traitorous friends will barely have any representation after you get defeated in a landslide.

After the left wing claims Canada back we'll ship you south of the border and undo all of the damage you have done.

Starting with changing the content of The CBC.

[Guest Derek L]

Are you worried that other networks won't carry sports?? Admittedly, HNIC is a moneymaker for the Ceeb so maybe it should be preserved after all...

There’s already numerous sports networks and pay-per-view channels to cater to that demand…..Should the Government of Canada be subsidizing the distribution of sports played by millionaires on teams owned by billionaires?

[bush_cheney2004]

Derek I realize you and your sick conservative evil doer buddies want to change Canada so go ahead and try to turn The CBC into an American style PBS channel, you apparently don't think this will offend the majority of Canadians

I live in Canada and I am having trouble receiving the PBS signal.

Since you watch PBS in Canada, please first identify which PBS station you watch so that you can look up its schedule by state or contact it directly. Several PBS stations serve Canadian audiences - the principal stations are:

KCTS Washington

KSPS Washington

WTVS Michigan

WNED Buffalo/New York

WXXI Rochester/New York

WCFE Mountain Lake/New York

Vermont PTV

WGBH-Boston/Massachusetts

New Hampshire PTV

http://www.pbs.org/about/faq/troubleshoot/watching-tv/