Gisele's Big Backyard is being cancelled by TVO.

Gisele's Big Backyard (formerly "The Nook") has been a staple of early-childhood programming since 1998. This is a Gemini Award-winning Canadian-made production featuring a humorous, talented and quirky human with a cohort of well-loved puppets. It teaches our children ABC's and 123's and encourages artistic development, as well as inspiring a love of reading. Gisele manages to develop a deep and personal connection with our children through the screen, appearing to speak directly to them, and promotes literacy by visiting libraries around Ontario and events such as The Word on The Street throughout the year.

TVO has promised to continue to repeat segments however we are of the view that our young children deserve current relevant programming which reflects best current early learning practices. Our children are better educated having learned (i) up-to-date life skills, (ii) ever-changing safety information, (iii) promotion of arts and culture and (iv) aspects of our dynamic Canadian landscape. The removal of Gisele's Big Backyard from production will result in stale programming. It also means that topical issues can't be addressed.

Does the cancellation also signal a change in approach by TVO to gradually eliminate live hosts? In an increasingly technological, animated world, isn't it nice for our children to have a recognizable, caring, human connection?

Further TVO has not announced investment in any new children’s programming on any platform so it is fair to ask whether the anticipated savings in cutting Gisele's Big Backyard will be reinvested in original programming. Between 2011 and 2015, the proportion of funding TVO dedicated to producing original content has dropped from about 60 % to 45%.

We ask that you to sign this petition to express your concern about the cutting of this quality children's show from production and to call for either its reinstatement or the reinvestment of all savings from this cost cutting exercise in original Canadian content.

For additional information please see:
http://www.pressreader.com/canada/toronto-star/20160412/281827167926842