November 6, 2026 – TheNewswire - The CBC Pensioners Association welcomes the federal government's announcement of an additional $300 million over two years for CBC/Radio-Canada in Budget 2026. However, the Association says the investment does little to address the longer-term funding challenges facing Canada's public broadcaster and falls short of the government's commitment during the last federal election to work toward bringing CBC/Radio-Canada's funding in line with the average funding of other national public broadcasters.

"We are pleased to see additional funding for CBC/Radio-Canada. It is an important recognition of the role our public broadcaster plays in Canadian society," said Dan Oldfield, President of the CBC Pensioners Association. "However, a two-year funding commitment does not provide the long-term stability and predictability that CBC/Radio-Canada needs to fulfil its mandate and plan for the future."

The Association recognizes that Canada's economic and political circumstances have changed considerably since last spring's federal election. Nevertheless, it is concerned that the government's longer-term commitment to strengthening public broadcasting has not been accompanied by a clear funding framework or a plan to achieve funding levels comparable to those of other G7 public broadcasters.

The Association is also deeply disappointed by the lack of meaningful, broad-based measures addressing the financial security and well-being of Canada's seniors.

Canadians aged 65 and older now represent approximately one-fifth of the population, a proportion projected to grow to nearly one-quarter over the coming decades. Yet Budget 2026 offers little in the way of a comprehensive response to the needs of this growing segment of the population.

While the Association recognizes the value of measures such as the expanded Canada Caregiver Credit and the additional Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit supplement, these are targeted initiatives that will not address the broader financial pressures facing the majority of retirees.

"Older Canadians have contributed to this country throughout their working lives and continue to make important contributions to their families and communities," said Oldfield. "They deserve more than a collection of targeted measures. They deserve a comprehensive approach to retirement income security and access to essential health care."

The Association is particularly concerned about the absence of meaningful action on issues such as retirement income adequacy, access to affordable dental care and prescription medications. These are not peripheral concerns for older Canadians. They have a direct impact on their financial security and quality of life.

The CBC Pensioners Association will continue to press the federal government on these issues. Representatives of the Association will be meeting with Members of Parliament and government policy-makers on Parliament Hill in the coming weeks to raise concerns about the future of public broadcasting and the need for a stronger federal commitment to Canada's seniors.

The Association believes that a country that values its public institutions must also value the people who helped build them. Both Canada's public broadcaster and its growing senior population deserve meaningful, long-term commitments from the federal government.

 

About the CBC Pensioners Association

The CBC Pensioners Association represents retired employees of CBC/Radio-Canada. The Association works to protect and advance the interests of its members, maintain a constructive relationship with CBC/Radio-Canada and advocate on issues affecting pensioners and Canada's public broadcaster.

For more information, contact communications@cbcpensioners.ca.