THUNDER BAY – It was on November 2, 1936, that the Canadian Broadcasting Act replaced the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission. Through the Act was created a new crown Corporation: the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. And with that, a Canadian cultural icon was born.
The CBC has its real roots in then Port Arthur, and now Thunder Bay. It was C. D. Howe, as a Minister in the King Government who brought forward the legislation needed to create the CBC. Howe is likely better known for the creation of other crown corporations, including Air Canada. However it was as Minister of Minister of Railways and Canals that Howe was responsible for the CBC.
In the early days of the CBC the network broadcast on trains, and thereby came under the responsibility of the Minister of Railways and Canals.
In CBC’s first broadcast, then Chairman Leonard Brockington told listeners they could expect many new things from their new broadcaster. The Corporation’s governors, he said, have ideas and ideals that are “almost as numerous as apple blossoms in the Annapolis Valley or peach blossoms in the Okanagan.” Today, the Corporation delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services, in multiple languages, from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
“For 74 years today, CBC/Radio-Canada has been at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada,” said Tim Casgrain, Chair of CBC/Radio-Canada’s Board of Directors. “Throughout its history, Canada’s public broadcaster has contributed to the nation’s identity in broadcasting the diverse stories of the people of this great country. There is much to celebrate.”
“This is a momentous year for us,” said President and CEO Hubert T. Lacroix. “It’s an occasion to recognize and reaffirm the role that the public broadcaster plays in giving Canadians a strong voice in a crowded media landscape. We invite Canadians to make this celebration their own.”
The kick-off of the one-year countdown was an occasion for CBC/Radio-Canada to unveil its new commemorative logo and slogan – “Yours to celebrate” – that will be showcased throughout the year to mark the occasion. It was also a chance to provide a sneak peek at some of the projects in store to celebrate three-quarters of a century at the centre of Canada’s cultural life, which will include open house events and special programming across all of the Corporation’s platforms.
Celebrations will figure most prominently during the period of August 22 to November 2, 2011 – the 75-day countdown to the official anniversary. More details about special events and programming will be revealed as the anniversary approaches.