National

Trudeau says he's furious over Bell Media layoffs, calling it a 'garbage decision'

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Feb, 2024 10:57 AM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is trash-talking BCE Inc.'s widespread layoffs, calling the cuts a "garbage decision."

Trudeau says he's furious over Bell Media's decision to end multiple television newscasts and that the corporation should know better.

The outlet made program cuts Thursday after its parent company announced job reductions and the sale of 45 of its 103 regional radio stations.

Trudeau says large corporations have bought up radio stations, small community newspapers and local outlets, only to lay off journalists and change the quality of their offerings.

He says when readership and viewership then decline, corporations sell off outlets and say they're not profitable, eroding local journalism and Canada's democracy.

Chief executive Mirko Bibic says Bell Media's advertising revenues declined by $140 million in 2023 compared with the year before, and the company's news division is seeing more than $40 million in annual operating losses.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Victim of violent carjacking, Gurvinder Nath, passes away

Upon arriving at the delivery address, the victim was confronted by unknown suspects who attempted to take his vehicle when a physical altercation occurred. The unknown suspects fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle leaving the victim at the side of the road with life-threatening injuries.

Victim of violent carjacking, Gurvinder Nath, passes away

Surrey must stay with local police instead of RCMP: B.C. government

Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said in a statement that he has carefully considered the city’s report on moving back to the RCMP, but Surrey has not demonstrated that doing so would be safe or would not affect other communities.

Surrey must stay with local police instead of RCMP: B.C. government

Immigrant seniors lonelier than those born in Canada but research lacking: StatCan

Statistics Canada released the findings of a survey Wednesday showing older people who immigrated to Canada as adults were more likely to experience loneliness than those who were born here. It said loneliness has become an important concern because of its effect on health, including disability and frailty, as well as mental health issues.

Immigrant seniors lonelier than those born in Canada but research lacking: StatCan

Union gives notice of renewed B.C. port strike, employers say

The British Columbia Maritime Employers Association says resuming strike action that had halted cargo movement for 13 days at the start of the month is "unnecessary and reckless."

Union gives notice of renewed B.C. port strike, employers say

B.C. police sound alarm over wealthy cryptocurrency investors being robbed

Police in Richmond and Delta are warning the public of a disturbing trend of high-value cryptocurrency investors being targeted for home invasions. Richmond RCMP and Delta Police say they have responded to several calls of reported robberies in the homes of cryptocurrency investors over the past year.

B.C. police sound alarm over wealthy cryptocurrency investors being robbed

BC Coroners Service blames illicit drug supply for 184 deaths in June

The BC Coroners Service says 184 people died in the province in June due to the toxic, unregulated drug supply that has claimed more than 1,200 lives in the first half of this year. The coroners service says the numbers show how risky it continues to be for users who access their drugs on the illicit market.