September 21, 2005

Enclosed is a copy of a letter Charlottetown Senator Percy Downe sent to CBC President Robert Rabinovitch, the contents of which self-explanatory.

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September 21, 2005

Mr. Robert Rabinovitch
President of CBC
P.O. Box 3220, Station “C”
Ottawa, ON
K1P 1K9

Dear Mr. Rabinovitch:

I am writing in response to the many concerns directed to me over the current CBC lockout.

While the impact of the lockout is felt all across the country, it is especially difficult in the smaller regions of Canada. Other national media sources provide service to the larger cities and cover breaking news stories, but lack the local perspective that the CBC provides.

In Prince Edward Island, CBC is one of the main sources of local, regional and national news service. For example, the other television news networks have a very minor presence in the province. Residents of Prince Edward Island, therefore, rely on the CBC for much more than breaking news. CBC radio and television play an essential role in the community system of P.E.I and are greatly missed.

I urge you, as President, to take all necessary steps to ensure that this labour dispute is resolved as soon as possible so that regular CBC services can be made available.

Sincerely,

Percy Downe
Senator