Thank You SCN
April 1, 2010 by Richard
Filed under Just a Thought
Thank you SCN and its staff rally Regina, March 31
Applause for SCN
A sad day – Today was the last day for most of the staff at SCN, which for almost 20 years was Saskatchewan’s educational public broadcaster. Between 250 and 300 people came down to the SCN offices in Regina’s CBC building to show their support and say thank you to the staff of SCN.
What was most galling to the crowd was the way that the deed was done, with no consultation and apparently very little planning that seems to have involved any knowledge or understanding of how the broadcasting system works or is regulated. The government claims it wants to sell SCN and its licence but they seem to be intent on beating it to death first, and just as quickly as possible. However in their haste the government appears to have cut several regulatory corners and is now in danger of being called to the carpet by the CRTC.
Brett Bell tells it like it is
The regulations are very clear that a province can only run any kind of a broadcasting system through a corporation with an independent board of directors, free from government control. The government went about planning and implementing the shutdown without the knowledge or approval of the old board, and then replaced them all with a new board chaired by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Recreation who does not qualify as independent.
There is lots of crashing and banging going on right now, but there’s no way we can bring SCN back. We can hope the government gets their knuckles rapped and with a little luck perhaps we can arrange for something newer which will serve our needs better. I’m crossing my fingers.
Thanks Richard.
p.s. was planning on being there but had a visit from the plumber – it was booked before I heard of this event… long story
Hi Richard,
What a loss. SCN was the model by which other broadcasters of this ilk were judged. It was well set up and well run. It was a bargain, stupendous value for the money. I hope you got a very golden handshake and that others with deep pockets are smart enough to hire you for your expertise.
You were always a delight to deal with, an ethical and humorous man who really knows the business. My hope for you is that you get to travel on someone else’s ticket enough to have fun, have enough time and money to enjoy your home and artistic pursuits, and a long life in which to do it.
Lorraine
Thanks Lorraine
I actually retired from SCN a year ago, and have come back out of retirement as the project manager at Bluepoint Investments to try to see if we can save it.