New Report Calls for Bold, Systemic Reform of the CBC/Radio-Canada
Canadians support public media, but want it to do better.
A new report from the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy offers one of the most comprehensive roadmaps in recent history for rethinking the CBC/Radio-Canada. Addressing evolving public expectations—and criticisms—of public media in the digital age, What Should the CBC Be? looks beyond Canada’s historical and institutional context, situating CBC/Radio-Canada within a broader international framework of public media reform. Based on a two-year research project, the report draws on global comparisons, expert consultations, and original survey data across Canada.
The conclusion is clear: Canadians want the CBC/Radio-Canada to continue, but it must evolve to remain relevant and trusted.
“Much of the recent public debate about the CBC/Radio-Canada has been led by politicians and journalists. We wanted to make a report for all Canadians — including educators, professionals and the general public — to explain the history of public media and the changing context for organizations like the CBC/Radio-Canada around the world. We hope that “What Should the CBC Be?” fosters needed conversation and helps to support the direction the CBC/Radio-Canada needs to take,” said Jessica Johnson, Senior Fellow at the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy and one of the co-authors of the report.
Key insights from the report include:
78% of Canadians support keeping the CBC/Radio-Canada especially if it addresses major criticisms. This support spans political lines, regions, and age groups.
CBC/Radio-Canada is notably underfunded compared to its international peers. While most global public broadcasters receive around $79 per capita, Canada's public media service receives about $33. Among public media services worldwide, higher levels of trust are often correlated with higher levels of public spending.
Access to the CBC/Radio-Canada is uneven. Many Canadians in rural or remote areas or youth audiences are more likely to be left out of the public media system.
Mandate reviews are overdue. Canada has not held a comprehensive mandate review of CBC/Radio-Canada since 1991 that has led to legislation (2025 saw an express review, which did not lead to any changes to the “Broadcasting Act”). The report calls for regular, nonpartisan reviews grounded in public consultation and demographic data.
Public safety is emerging as a core function of public media services worldwide. The CBC/Radio-Canada’s role in emergency communications should be strengthened and resourced accordingly.
Among the report’s recommendations:
Align funding with mandate and audience needs, supported by regular public consultation.
Ensure universal access across regions, languages, and platforms through investment in key areas of public media service such as local journalism, digital innovation, and meaningful representation.
Strengthen trust and transparency by establishing regional public advisory bodies and depoliticizing board appointments.
Modernize CBC/Radio-Canada’s legislative framework to reflect the realities of today's media ecosystem.
This report builds on last year’s national survey Do We Need the CBC?, which found broad public support for maintaining or increasing funding to CBC/Radio-Canada. Together, the research offers a vision for a public media system that is accountable, accessible, and built for the future. “What Should the CBC Be?” is published by the Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University.
The full report is available here.
The Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy is an interdisciplinary research organization housed at the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University. It is dedicated to understanding and responding to the social, political, and policy challenges posed by the evolving information ecosystem and digital technologies.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Isabelle Corriveau
Director, Public Engagement
isabelle.corriveau2@mcgill.ca
