CBC censors Poilievre, lands record funding to 'combat disinformation'
A federal briefing note says the CBC will use part of its record $1.6 billion in taxpayer funding to “combat disinformation” amid renewed criticism over its treatment of Pierre Poilievre.
The CBC will use part of its record $1.6 billion in taxpayer funding this year to “combat disinformation,” according to a Department of Canadian Heritage briefing note, even as the state broadcaster faces growing accusations that it censors Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre.
An Apr. 13 Canadian Heritage briefing note titled Reinforcing CBC says the government is exploring ways to modernize the public broadcaster’s mandate, including expanding its role in “combating misinformation,” as first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.
Cabinet has allocated an additional $150 million to the CBC this year, bringing its total parliamentary appropriation to $1.6 billion for 2026. The briefing note says the funding will strengthen local news and “combat disinformation,” adding it will “fully equip” the broadcaster for that role.
The document, however, does not define what constitutes “disinformation” or explain how the broadcaster would carry out that mandate.
CBC spokesperson Leon Mar told Juno News the broadcaster was “not aware of the briefing note” and referred questions about it to the Department of Canadian Heritage.
