Bell Canada CEO Mirko Bibic defends the job cuts

OTTAWA — As members of parliament accuse Bell Canada of corporate greed, the company's chief executive is defending his decision to cut thousands of jobs, citing changes in Canadians' traditional television viewing habits.

Liberals, conservatives and New Democrats grilled CEO Mirko Bibik During an often-fraught exchange at a House of Commons heritage committee meeting on Thursday afternoon.

Parliamentarians will visit him and BCE Inc. ordered to respond to cuts affecting nine percent of the workforce.

In February, the company announced that it would cut about 4,800 jobs, stop several TV broadcasts and sell 45 of its 103 radio stations.

“The idea that you see fit to get huge bonuses and equity packages when your workers, staff and journalists can keep their jobs is disappointing,” said Liberal MP Talib Nurmohamed. Bibik.

“I think it's important to think about Canadians, especially those who have subsidized your company for a long time.”

Conservative heritage critic Rachel Thomas said it was “really rich” for a $40 billion company that received government subsidies to lay off workers.

He accused Bibik dodging his questions and making the CEO look “shady”.

“You failed to answer any of my questions directly today,” Thomas said.

Thomas was not alone.

Several MPs made colorful accusations Bibikincluding NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, who briefly chides the CEO for “choosing greed” to give consumers a “break” on cellphone bills.

Bibik defended his company, blaming factors such as productivity, inflation and delays in the implementation of the federal Online Broadcasting Act – a new law designed to level the playing field between traditional broadcasters and streaming companies, under which Bell would benefit from significant regulatory relief.

He told MPs that the media ecosystem in Canada is “in crisis.”

“The industry is in flux due to technological disruption, changing viewer habits, changing advertiser demand and strong competition from foreign web giants that are not subject to costly regulations such as Canadian broadcasters” Bibik said.

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 11, 2024.

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