Question Period Note: Canadian Broadcasters in Crisis – BCE Inc. Cuts

Canadian Broadcasters in Crisis – BCE Inc. Cuts

While there is no doubt that Canadian broadcasters face a challenging business environment, the Government is doing its part to give them a fair shot at competing against their global competitors.

Bell chief legal and regulatory officer, Robert Malcolmson, informed that Bell Media is in the midst of a "digital transformation" for both entertainment and news. In its 2023 Q4 report (published on February 8, 2024), BCE Inc. announced that it is selling off 45 of its 103 regional radio stations as it cuts nine per cent of its workforce, reducing approximately 4,800 positions comprising 750 contractors. This includes journalists and other workers at its Bell Media subsidiary. The company hopes to save $250 million a year this way. The company intends to start by attrition and the abolition of vacant positions, before directly reducing headcount and layoffs. This round of job cuts is the company's largest in nearly 30 years and marks the second major layoff at the media and telecommunications giant since last spring. In June 2023, BCE announced the elimination of 1,300 positions, 20% of which were senior management, and the closure of six radio stations.

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