Don't Subsidize Secessionists With Taxpayer Money

Once can understand why the CBC’s Quebec wing would want former Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe as a regular commentator. But why would the powers that be at the CBC tolerate, much less condone, such an appointment? Part of the CBC’s mandate for its existence and for receiving public money is, by its own admission: “To serve, enrich and strengthen the cultural, political, social and economic fabric of Canada.”

How are any one of these goals achieved by giving someone like Duceppe a regular forum to dispense anti-Canada, separatist or sovereignist views that undermine the Canadian ethic?

Duceppe is a man whose political life has been dedicated to wrecking Canada as a unified country – all the while being sustained by Canadian taxpayers’ dollars.

At least he has had the grace to pull out of a deal that should never have been made

I’ll bet that if he didn’t have a wooden stake driven through his heart, the late Pierre Trudeau would be rolling in his grave at the appointment.

Whatever his flaws, Trudeau was under no illusion that an enemy of Confederation was the Quebec wing of the CBC.

He fought separatism, publicly criticized the separatist direction of Radio-Canada, and viewed some of his intellectual colleagues as “treasonous.” And he knew them all, and at times flirted with their ideology.

In retrospect, it could be argued that Trudeau so adamantly opposed Quebec separatism, because his goal was to make Quebec the dominant Partner in Confederation – a condition many feel that he achieved. A tail wagging the dog.

Trudeau also opposed the efforts of France (then led by Charles de Gaulle) which he felt was subverting Canada’s independence with the hope of making the country more dependent on Metropolitan France.

Wanting Duceppe as a regular CBC commentator is no surprise. What we don’t know, is how deep the separatist theme runs in Radio-Canada and Quebec today.

It’s obvious to everyone with half a wit, that the CBC in general prefers those of socialistic or leftwing orthodoxy.

Remember when Peter Gzowski was host of CBC Radio’s morning show? Three of his “regulars” who commented were Eric Kierans, Dalton Camp and Stephen Lewis.

If challenged, the CBC could say that the three, respectively, were from the Liberal Party, Progressive Conservatives and the NDP--which they were.

But they were also think-alikes, agreeing in general with one another, each on the leftwing side of their parties. Their debates didn’t  give listeners much choice or diversity, or advance independent thinking.

When Barbara Amiel was a prominent conservative voice, one might have thought the CBC would exploit her views, even if they disagreed with them. But no, she was too adamant for their tastes.

The CBC would no more willingly run someone like Mark Steyn as a commentator than they’d approve of George Bush. Yet Steyn fills-in occasionally for Rush Limbaugh, the most successful radio phone-in show in North America.

And agree or disagree with him, Steyn is vastly knowledgeable and entertaining, in a way that is beyond Duceppe’s ability.

Ex-political leader John Tory hosts a CFRB talk-show--but that’s in the private sector--vastly different from being paid taxpayers’ dollars on Canada’s national broadcaster.

One can’t fault Duceppe for initially taking the job--another chance to advance his agenda of breaking up Canada while living off the taxpayer.

By pulling out, Duceppe shows more class than those who hired him.