By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Tim Louis, member of parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga, has been appointed as the parliamentary secretary to the minister of Canadian heritage.
Louis will support Pascal St-Onge in advancing policies that strengthen Canada’s arts, culture and heritage sector. The new post also comes with a $14,300 bump in pay.
“I am honoured to take on this responsibility and to work alongside Minister St-Onge to support Canada’s cultural institutions like the CBC that keep Canadians informed, connected and engaged,” said Louis. “As media landscapes continue to evolve, it is imperative that we protect independent journalism and reinforce our cultural industries to uphold Canada’s sovereignty and national identity.”
Louis adds the secretary role to sitting on the standing committee on agriculture and agri-food, but the roles are very different.
“I will be working in a specific ministry and working closely with the minister. I am still on the agriculture committee and that isn’t going to change.”
Louis is a musician by trade and doesn’t feel his background hurt his chances for the appointment. He has also spent some time as a member of the heritage committee and strongly believes in the mandate of the CBC.
“I think it needs to exist as an institution and it needs to be strengthened. The CBC is a big part of our heritage and helps nation-building and rally Canadians together, something more important now than ever at a time when Donald Trump is threatening our very sovereignty.”
St-Onge recently unveiled the Liberal government’s blueprint for the future of the broadcaster. The 17-page document details how the Liberals want to transform the CBC’s funding model and governance by nearly doubling the amount of money Canadians spend each year and removing advertising from news programming.
Louis said he closely watched the minister’s press conference and since it is a new role he is still getting up to speed on, but he has been involved in some CBC business over the years.
“I worked on some of the legislation that asked the CRTC and CBC to modernize. I think there is a way to strengthen our national broadcaster and do it in a responsible way. Funding, updating the funding model and improving governance are all a part of our government’s plans going forward.”
Louis explained the CBC is equipped to play a greater role in informing Canadians during national disasters and climate crises.
“People turn to our public broadcaster for that so there is a way of making emergency services more effective and we can fight against disinformation. We need those trusted journalists and we also have to innovate because media technology is changing so quickly.”
Louis said the CBC, as a public broadcaster, should be above politics and one of the recommendations is the CEO should be appointed by a board of directors, not a political appointment.
“Then we don’t get the Conservatives making cuts and the Liberals restoring funds back and forth to come up with standard funding across the board. Can we be more efficient? There is always room for making things better.”
He added funding state broadcasters on a per-capita basis is nothing new for countries that have them, and Canada lags behind other nations in that department.
“Most counties invest more in their public broadcasters because they support their artists, their stories and getting your messages out there. I do think these are suggestions and need to be discussed and debated. When I talk to Canadians, they do talk to the CBC as in institution.”
Louis supporting Carney in Liberal leadership race
“I took my time to decide and we have a number of strong candidates running, and I am proud of everyone and I have served with some of them. I had good and challenging conversations but, in the end, I put my support behind Mark Carney.”
Louis said Carney’s extensive experience as former governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England combined with his ideas and the fact he has worked with Conservative and Liberal governments makes him the best candidate to lead the country. As for whether Carney will become the next leader of Canada, Louis said time will tell.
“Elections matter. I think in this day and age people shouldn’t be looking at the polls as much as they should be having conversations with neighbours. You get the government you elect. I look forward to seeing this leadership race happen and, some time in 2025, we have a federal election.”
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