CBC’s senior management expressed frustration with media coverage of its $14.9 million in executive bonuses, according to internal emails obtained through Access to Information requests by Blacklock’s Reporter.CBC executives complained that other news media published details about the bonuses without giving the public broadcaster adequate time to respond, even as the corporation implemented widespread job cuts and claimed financial difficulties.Chuck Thompson, chief of staff to CBC's executive vice president, emailed on August 12 that the media coverage was "very disappointing and frustrating." Thompson claimed that news outlets "gave us no time" to explain the bonus payment structure, which was implemented simultaneously with eliminating 346 positions..Queens nightclub shooting injures 10 people, police rule out terrorism.The internal correspondence revealed particular concern about coverage from traditionally sympathetic outlets. CBC's Director of Media Relations Leon Mar pointed out that Canadian Press had begun publishing stories based on public records before receiving official responses from the CBC.The bonus controversy occurred when the CBC leadership testified before parliamentary committees about financial hardship despite receiving $1.4 billion in annual government funding. At an October 2 Senate National Finance Committee hearing, Chief Financial Officer Carol Najm defended the bonus structure..Colorado Springs man identified as driver in Las Vegas Cybertruck explosion.When Senator Clément Gignac questioned what sacrifices management had made during the financial difficulties, Najm explained that the payments were tied to "performance indicators" and the corporation's strategic plan. “On the subject of sacrifices of management, performance pay is part of compensation for over 1,200 non-unionized employees within the company,” said Najm. “It is based upon performance indicators tied to our strategic plan.”“It is a defined structure and process of accountability that performance pay is based upon,” said Najm. “Our board approved the payment of performance pay based upon the fulfillment of our obligations. That is how I will answer.”.FACE OF A KILLER: Bourbon St. attacker 'hellbent on carnage' leaves 15 dead, dozens wounded in NYE attack.CBC President and CEO Catherine Tait, who earns $497,000 annually, has sought an additional $500 million in government funding to address declining viewership and revenues. In testimony before the Commons Heritage Committee last May, Tait insisted the broadcaster was "not out of the woods" and faced "serious challenges" similar to other Canadian media organizations.The revelation of management's reaction to the bonus coverage comes as Tait's term as CEO ends on January 3, leaving questions about the broadcaster's financial management and transparency during a period of significant organizational change.
