CBC
The CBC was established in 1936. In 1936, there was no e-mail, world wide web, or Internet. In 1936, there was no Trans-Canada Highway.
In 1936, there was no trans-Atlantic telephone service, and no 911 service.
In 1936, there were no other Canadian television networks. Heck, in 1936, a television looked like this:
It is the year 2006. CBC Radio and CBC Television are relics of another time.
Are we, in a free and democratic society, really in need of a publicly funded national broadcaster?
Would a PBS/NPR style system serve people better? Or does it make more sense to have a competitive private sector media mix that includes thousands of newspapers and magazines, television (3 private national television networks and numerous independents), radio, satellite radio, and a global Internet?
The best thing CBC ever did was launch Newsworld International. Unfortunately, it was only available in the U.S., and has since changed hands a number of times (now Al Gore runs it). Why didn’t they broadcast the same fine mix of International programming to Canadians? Was it because they think we can’t handle outside influences? We don’t know. They won’t say.
It’s time to rethink the CBC.
Hedy Fry for Liberal Leader!
Could there be a greater blessing than having Hedy Fry win the Liberal Leadership?
Right now, as I type, Hedy Fry is thinking about running.
Right now, as I type, a giant marshmallow man is invading Manhattan.
Right now, as I type, flying elephants are battling flying pigs over Canmore, Alberta.
Charter-Man and the Masters of Ottawa
[Harpetor captures the Sorceress, Michaëlle Jean and holds her captive at Castle Parliament.]
Paul Martin: “We should ride quickly to Castle Parliament, Anne-ger, to stop the evil Harpetor!”
Anne McLellan: “Grrrr….”
Narrator: “Paul Martin holds aloft his magic Charter and says …”
Paul Martin: “The courts haaaaave the powerrr!!!”
[Musical voice sings: "Charter-Man ... Charter-Man"]
Charter-Man: “Harpetor won’t know what hit him!”
Battle-Anne: “Growl!”
Harpetor: “Buahahaha … Charter-Man thinks he can stop me! Fools! Fools!”
[Charter-Man rides Battle-Anne through the valley, when suddenly a cliff appears before them and they ride off the side and go crashing to the foggy ground below.]
Manley-At-Arms: “It appears Charter-Man has lost his final battle. Perhaps it’s about time I used some of my cool powers to stop Harpetor.”
[Tune in next week when Manley-At-Arms and his daughter, Tobin, discuss the future of Eternia.]
The Future of Canada Post
In Germany, that bastion of socialism, the Post Office is a publicly traded corporation with divisions that operate all around the world. It’s a big business, and it extends far beyond lettermail in Germany. Who was the radical right-winger that approved this? None other than the former socialist Chancellor Gerhardt Schroeder.
In Japan, the Prime Minister called and decisively won an election on the issue of breaking up the postal monopoly (which is a behemoth that includes insurance and banking services).
In the UK, the nominally “Labour” government of Tony Blair put in place the process of getting the government out of this business.
So, what are we doing in Canada? Nothing.
In fact, Canada Post is a Government-owned Crown Corporation that has free reign to delve into any competitive business they would like. While this is probably a good direction for Canada Post after they are privatized, it is bad for business right now.
Here are some arguments as to why privatizing Canada Post would be a positive development:
- The only reason Canada Post is profitable is because of the areas where they compete directly with private business at reduced interest and borrowing costs (as compared to non-government businesses). The lettermail business is not profitable in Canada, as evidenced by 1 penny increases the last 3 years to mail a letter. If you privatized Canada Post, business efficiencies and marketing prowess could help make lettermail profitable.
- We live in an Internet age. Canada Post has been launching many online services that compete directly with private companies, often small businesses. Why should a government-sponsored corporation be free to do so? If you privatized it, they could compete openly, and use their size to both become an Internet consolidator and technology incubator. Rather than hurt the Internet industry in Canada, they could become a positive contribution to it.
- Canada Post is required to keep their Purolator courier business as a separate division and is restricted in their cross-selling. Numerous lawsuits have been fought against Canada Post for unfair business practices vis-a-vis Purolator and other courier companies. Again, as long as they are government-owned, this is an important way of preventing them from competing unfairly against private business. But, privatize Canada Post and you will free them up to compete fairly. Why shouldn’t Purolator become a world-class competitor like the German Post Office’s DHL Courier service?
- The biggest argument against privatizing Canada Post has come from those who were concerned that smaller communities would not be served well. So, rather than privatizing and allowing Canada Post to offer a wider array of services without any regulations, the Government made pledges to keep unprofitable post offices open in all manner of small communities. This is a liability for Canada Post. If Canada Post could be privatized and could offer other services, these small post offices could actually become profitable businesses.
I don’t think the employees, the management or even the culture of Canada Post are a problem. I am not anti-Canada Post. Many developments at Canada Post in the last two decades have been positive. Mostly, my point is that it is being held back by its ownership structure, and should be freed up to do bigger and better things, without harming the economy.
So please … try my party!
I know some bloggers have gotten in trouble for comparing pictures of people with other people and animals. So, let me begin this comparison by stressing that no personal insult is intended (to either person), but I just couldn’t get this striking resemblance out of my head.
John W. Scherer
CEO & Founder, Video Professor
Jack Layton
Leader, New Democratic Party
More Liberal Attack Ads…
[Drum Beat Commences]
Most comic book super-villains were made up by Americans.
Stephen Harper has American friends that have probably read comic books.
Does Stephen Harper have special mind rays that explain his bright eyes?
Does he wear a tight latex super-villain suit under his smart business attire and not-so-crazy hair?
We just don’t know.
He just won’t say.
[Clang]
—
Stephen Harper doesn’t want appointed judges to have free reign over the law.
Stephen Harper wants Parliament to act as some sort of ‘check and balance’.
Stephen Harper brazenly supports the existing Chart of Rights and Freedoms.
We’re not making this stuff up.
We’re not allowed to make stuff up.
(But we are allowed to listen the pretty blue faeries as they whisper in our ears.)
Choose your Canada.
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