The CBC failed to provide balanced reporting in a story about a dispute between Catholics and sexual minorities advocates, according to the network’s ombudsman, who called the coverage “one-sided” and lacking in fairness.
Blacklock's Reporter says Ombudsman Maxime Bertrand found that a September 27, 2023, article about Red Deer Catholic school trustee Monique LaGrange violated the CBC’s Journalistic Standards And Practices by failing to include voices supporting LaGrange.
The trustee had faced backlash after posting a Facebook image comparing LGBTQ rainbow flags in classrooms to Nazi swastikas.
“The article violated the principle of balance,” wrote Bertrand.
“Sources offered only criticism of LaGrange with no one from the opposing side to defend her.”
While critics were extensively quoted — including the school board chair, Alberta’s education minister, and sexual minorities advocates — supporters, including groups like Campaign Life Coalition and individuals who submitted 31 pages of emails backing LaGrange, were not included.
“It may not be fair to call it a smear campaign,” Bertrand wrote, “however, the blatant lack of balance could reasonably lead one to perceive some degree of bias.”
Stephanie Coombs, director of journalism at CBC Edmonton, acknowledged the oversight.
“I feel this is a failing on our part,” she said. “We could and should have dug deeper to determine what submissions had been made.”
Coombs added that the larger issue of faith-based schools grappling with LGBTQ policies is an important topic.
“Ms. LaGrange’s case is not an isolated incident.”
The CBC’s journalistic standards require coverage to be “even-handed” and reflective of “the points of view of all citizens.” Bertrand’s findings reinforce concerns that the network did not meet those obligations in this instance.