Let's look at the full "Creative Canada" proposal [1]. After reading through the full document, the arguments for moving away from advertising seem to focus on

Let's look at the full "Creative Canada" proposal [1]. After reading through the full document, the arguments for moving away from advertising seem to focus on financial stability (page 6) [1]: "Depoliticize CBC/Radio-Canada funding so that it is predictable and stable, tied to the existing five-year licence cycle, indexed to inflation, and separated from the election and annual government budget cycles. This would be similar to how the BBC now operates. Indexation is critical – without it, inflation of just 1.5% per year would erode the new government funding of $150 million to zero in just six years." Yet, let's also look at the cultural arguments being made (page 29) [1]: "Our focus would be more firmly on the needs of citizens, creators and our industry partners without the constant preoccupation of monetizing each of our initiatives. It would create greater opportunities to find and nurture new talent. It would create more room for distinct Canadian programming, made by Canadians, featuring Canadians and telling the stories Canadian creators want to tell. We would focus less on commercial return and more on cultural impact, exploring more ways to help Canadian content and creators thrive and grow. We would be able to commission programming that takes risks and has the time to find an audience without being overly driven by the need to deliver immediate success." Advertising can take many forms. Let's take a closer look at the BBC, whose model is frequently referenced. Does this proposed "ad-free" model include a restriction on the shows themselves to avoid product placement? Does this include an obligation to blur, mute, bleep, or cut brands? The BBC allows product placement [2]. Does this proposed model restrict sponsorships and sponsored messages? The BBC also allows sponsorships, sponsorship credits, and limited messages by sponsors [2]. Now, with broader questions: will there be a ban on home shopping shows (think QVC)? Will there be a ban on infomercials? Will overlay commercials (the small banners that run during shows) be banned? If other forms of advertising, such as those permitted by BBC, are still allowed, the broadcaster will still have commercial pressures. If shows are allowed to sell product placement and sponsorships, Canadian creators will still be under pressure for short-term monetization. What restrictions does CBC actually propose? I wish I could answer, but there are none. Without closing the earlier mentioned loopholes, CBC will not be ad free and will therefore be unable to fully achieve its cultural goals. [1]: http://future.cbc.ca/images/acreativecanada.pdf http://future.cbc.ca/images/acreativecanada.pdf [2]: http://uk.practicallaw.com/4-504-3931 http://uk.practicallaw.com/4-504-3931