See full letter to the CRTC with endorsing organizations here: http://urbanalliance.ca/2015/05/26/rogers-communications-inc-et-al-and-omni-tv-an-open-letter-from-concerned-canadians/

On May 7, 2015, during Asian Heritage Month, Rogers Communications Inc. (Rogers) announced the elimination of all newscasts on its OMNI TV Stations. This decision was made without consultation of community members and leaders, who have watched and benefitted from OMNI TV for decades. Rogers has abandoned the spirit of OMNI TV’s licence by eliminating local Cantonese, Mandarin, Punjabi, and Italian news programming and systematically dismantling OMNI’s ability to meaningfully serve multilingual audiences. In doing so, Rogers has declared that Canada’s ethnocultural communities are unworthy of accessible, representative, meaningful news broadcasting.  

We also believe Rogers has, over time, restructured OMNI TV to make it impossible for it to remain financially sustainable. Since the passing of Ted Rogers in 2008, Rogers has eliminated OMNI TV’s dedicated sales/marketing division, which directly impacted its ability to generate revenue. In 2013, Rogers eliminated Portuguese news, South Asian news, and Diversity Programming (cutting 21 shows broadcast in 12 languages). In April 2014, Rogers had OMNI TV’s licence reviewed early and then renewed for only two years.

The gravity of Rogers’ decision to eliminate OMNI TV’s local news programming and staff, and its impact on local communities, demands the CRTC’s urgent intervention. Upholding cultural diversity is a key mandate in Canada’s Broadcasting Act (the Act), which provides Canadian broadcasting systems should create employment opportunities and serve the interests of “the linguistic duality and multicultural and multiracial nature of Canadian society.” While OMNI TV’s licence does not expire until 2016, we ask the CRTC to convene an early hearing to review concerns we have raised about how OMNI TV is being managed and Rogers’ breach of the mandate of the Act.   

We also ask the CRTC to suspend consideration of all further applications from Rogers unless and until:

•    Rogers restores OMNI news broadcasting without diminishing the quality of its programming or service delivery, and reinstate news programming staff;

•    Rogers adequately funds OMNI in-house productions i.e. local news broadcasting should be on par with its other systems/stations; and

•    Rogers restores OMNI’s dedicated sales/marketing division to its full capacity.   

It is also imperative that going forward, the CRTC impose strong safeguards to pre-empt any further attempts by Rogers to dilute or diminish OMNI TV’s programming.

Failing the above, we ask the CRTC to consider revoking OMNI’s licence on the basis of Rogers’ dereliction of duty and failure to meet assurances made to the CRTC and to its viewers: Canada’s ethnocultural communities.  The latter would allow for the sale of OMNI TV, allowing buyers to be sought who would recognize the privilege of their licence, respect and abide by the letter and spirit of the Act, recognize the inherent value of ethnic programming, and continue growing with the diverse multilingual communities that OMNI TV serves.  

For over 30 years, OMNI TV has played a vital, essential role in reflecting and connecting Canada’s culturally diverse, multilingual communities. OMNI TV news programming fostered voices within Canada’s ethnocultural communities to challenge social injustices. It provided programming pertaining to particular community needs, and served as a bridge for international journalists to establish themselves in Canada. OMNI TV news staff provided both an international and local perspective, giving diverse communities throughout Canada information mainstream media does not provide. A significant example is the head-tax redress movement, which ethno-specific press promoted well before the mainstream press; ethno-specific media, notably OMNI, played a pivotal role in sustaining a national campaign.

Community members across Canada recognize what Rogers does not: OMNI TV established new standards in journalistic integrity and excellence for Canadian ethno-specific media. OMNI TV must be restored to its prior standing: a world leader in developing ethno-specific programming crucial to keeping diverse communities well-informed, active citizens in our country.*

About Us

The Urban Alliance on Race Relations is a non-profit charitable organization that works primarily and proactively with the community, public, and private sectors to provide vital educational programs and research addressing racism in society. The Urban Alliance was formed in 1975 by a group of concerned Toronto citizens. We are located at 1001-2 Carlton Street, Toronto. Executive Director Jason Merai may be reached at jmerai@urbanalliance.ca Twitter: @UARR #saveOMNI

The Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter (CCNCTO) is an organization of Chinese Canadians in Toronto that promotes equity, social justice, inclusive civic participation and respect for diversity. For 35 years, we have been working in education, outreach and research within the Chinese Canadian community. You can reach Chase Lo, Executive Director at executivedirector@ccnctoronto.ca or 416-596-0833 ext 1

*By signing this petition, information provided will become a part of the public record as submitted to the CRTC.