Kanada Kev

i got through but then opened a second window while waiting and got kicked out

3 default clicks ... come on Boochie I am supposed to be "working"

Thanks again everyone. Looks like there will be 22 positions in my dept going. My dept covers approx 200 across the country, so this is promising at least. Take away an early retirees (which there will be a few) some people who simply leave, and the fact that my unit is understaffed already is somewhat promising. If anyone is interested in getting a quick and detailed idea of the situation (and how it relates to funding, the gov't, programming, etc.) i encourage you to skim the speech that the CBC president gave in Montreal today; http://www.sendspace.com/file/enqs94

wtf

That's right Ollie. Basically if something was only subject to ONE of the two taxes, it will now be hit by BOTH. Add up all those across the board for goods and services paid for by citizens and it will REALLY add up over a year.

bouche, I believe that they did offer that as one of the alternatives when they went before the gov't. Asked to be able to acquire more US content in order to generate more sales dollars (whether you like 'em or not, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune are huge for CBC now). But it's a slippery slope if the ratio changes too much as it will just make opponents of CBC easily justified in arguing "how is it all Canadian then and different from other brodcasters, so cut any funding". And those that support and love the CBC because it does provide a unique balance of Canadian content would be pissed for seeing it be forgone for US content. In almost every situation it's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't in somebody's opinion

From what I've read/heard this tax grab reeks. Look at what it will do to costs for purchasing cars, HOUSES, as well as utilities for your house!!! Talk about getting kicked while you're down. For those who are renters, be prepared for landlords to exercise requests for above the board rent increases this year to account for increased heating and utility costs. Try this on for a quick read; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090325.wPOLontbudget0325/BNStory/politics/home

I've 3/20 on right now while I work. This Moogis broadcast is fuckin' nice.

http://www.nowtoronto.com/cgi-bin/EH/EventHandler.cgi?Actn=Entry_Form&Fnm=event92&User_ID=contests The Tragically Hip Win passes to see a special, one-time HD broadcast performance by the Tragically Hip at Cineplex! Enter to WIN passes to see The Tragically Hip live on the big screen in HD for one night only! ONE NIGHT ONLY! Presented LIVE on the big screen in HD! The Tragically Hip, from the Bathouse recording studio, live and intimate with a special Q and A (hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos)! Experience The Tragically Hip as you have never seen before, as they perform classic hits and new tracks from their upcoming CD 'We are the Same'. This event also includes an exclusive opportunity: specially priced event tickets include the new CD with the big screen concert. Don't miss The Tragically Hip, live for one night only, Monday April 6! Tickets on sale March 20! To check out more, click www.thehip.com Deadline for entries is Wednesday, April 1st at 11pm. One entry per household.

Freak, I can understand where you're coming from. In no way do i defend the CBC in all aspects of its being either. However, you should preface a lot of what you said with "IMHO" or "AFAIK". That's totally personal taste. I'm not a fan of those shows personally. Beachcombers success (if you are looking at the number of people who viewed it when it was on) can be skewed by the fact it aired in a universe when there were only a handful of stations to watch, and cable wasn't as abundant. By today's standards, and production costs, Little Mosque is a huge success in Canada and internationally. You must also understand that due to non-increasing funding, and the cost involved in prodicing in-house TV shows, CBC was forced to reduce how many they do (to next to none) and our Props Dept, Set Design, Costume Depts have all been sold off. Outsource Outsource Outsource. The building in Toronto is no Palce if you've ever been inside and worked here. It's like a rat maze on every floor. It's bleak and dreary and heavily worn around the edges... hardly ostentatious. It was built almost 20 years ago to amalgamate dozens of separate CBC buildings across Toronto, therefore being more efficient. As for the building in Ottawa, well that's MUCH newer and fully functional for what a modern-day broadcaster requires. These aren't over the top banking head offices by any means. Trust me, they have. That is always a key element for CBC Radio listenership and they would exodus like crazy if that was to occur. The tradeoff isn't worth it. People who see CBC as a publically funded entity get even more incensed when they have to listen and suffer through commercials on radio. I agree with you that there are always ways of cutting costs and increasing revenues. One of the big shortfalls here is the Sales Department that has had rotating directors every couple of years. Recently we had one who was decent, but he got canned. Those senior sales people on his staff had inflated their sales forecasts at unreasonable levels. Supposedly they came up $65 million short. That's a huge fuckup. A few were fired, but they need new blood to sell CBC better. This corporation has faced massive cuts over the past 20 years. It's getting to the point where it won't be able to take much more. Some feel that's fair, others don't. If the CBC is lost, this country will lose even more of whatever identity it believes it has IMHO. It is meant to reach out to all Canadians. That's a massive task. There are always going to be shortfalls, but without it what connects Canadians together from coast to coast?

They've already started tossing around new concepts that are hopeful. They want to stop the old thinking of CBC TV being a television broadcaster and instead a "video provider" and radio into an "audio-content provider". At least there seems to be some sort of "out of the box" thinking. A lot of it still stinks. The bonuses that are still being given out while jobs are lost is horrendous IMHO.

Speaking of Phish discs, have you ever heard of this one? Looks like it could be enjoyable (unlike the Siket My Stomach CD): http://jollyjoke.blogspot.com/2009/03/phish-06171990-wendell-studios-boston.html Phish 06/17/1990 Wendell Studios Boston, MA [FLAC] This is the complete Wendell Studio sessions. From the Pharmer's Almanac Vol. 6: "Recorded in the summer of 1990 at Wendell Studios in Boston, MA. Phish entered the studio soon after the June 16, 1990 Townshend Family Park show, but elected not to release any of the recorded material. Tapes of the sessions circulate lightly among fans the first tape is more difficult to track down than the second" Thanks to Sarah and Wayne for the discs. Set 1: 1. Dog Gone Dog 2. Uncle Pen 3. Suzie Greenberg 4. Suzie Greenberg (2nd attempt) 5. Caravan 6. Alumni Blues 7. Take the A-Train 8. In a Mellow Tone 9. Possum 10. Mike's Song > 11. I Am Hydrogen > 12. Weekapaug Groove 13. The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday > 14. Avenu Malkenu > 15. The Man Who Stepped Into Yesterday 16. Tweezer 17. Possum 18. Harry Hood 19. Rift 20. Runaway Jim

Thanks everyone. We've got a big meeting tomorrow with our director to layout the plan for Media Sales & Marketing. I'm thinking that I'm in good shape, all things considered. It's some of the newer employees that I feel for. Felt bad and went out for a quick pint with one of them. Damn, I could get used to that on a daily basis mmmm beers.

50% of senior management will still get their bonuses. Woofuckinghoooo

More detail will be coming out every hour i'm sure. Here's a quick blip from ctv.ca http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090325/cbc_jobs_090325/20090325?hub=TopStories CBC cutting 800 jobs amid sinking ad revenues Updated Wed. Mar. 25 2009 12:12 PM ET The Canadian Press MONTREAL -- The cash-strapped CBC told employees today that it will be cutting 800 jobs in effort to save $171 million amid sinking advertising revenues. Internal sources say CBC president Hubert Lacroix broke the news to staff at a town hall meeting in Montreal. The plan is to cut 396 jobs in the English service, 336 on the French side, and 70 corporate service positions. The public broadcaster also plans to sell $125 million in assets in a bid to balance it's budget, workers were reportedly told. In recent weeks, Lacroix has been warning of deep cuts to staff and programming to cope with a significant budget shortfall. He has also said there will a salary freeze for top executives.

thanks edger, me too. I have almost 9 years of seniority, so i'm hoping that will help. Also, a lot of voluntary retirements can help. Whatever the case, this is a HUGE hit to Canada's public broadcaster. Public broadcasters are an endangered species. FUCK.

lots of programs too

HOLY FUCK ... We're just getting the news now of approx. 800 job losses.

CuJo CuJo CuJo CuJo

Fort Erie (Peace Bridge) is always your best bet IMHO. It's a weekday, so the biggest bitch will be getting out of the GTA. The earlier they leave the better (i mean before 4pm). I'm taking the whole day off ... i want to get good and primed at the Mars Hotel

fuck fuck fuck goddamsketchylotkidswithcreditcards

FUCK ME looks like i'll be calling in favour with my contact at the Darien box office

Rock on! Truckin' up to Buffalo. Somebody needs to make a big banner to hang over the Adam's Mark sign that reads MARS HOTEL!