A single line greets millions of Canadians nightly when they tune in to their national news. “And now, from the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Toronto, here is Peter Mansbridge.”

The disembodied voice that has introduced him every night for years however, seems to suddenly be in danger.

The economic crisis that for a while seemed confined to American mortgages and the auto industry has hit Canada where it hurts – in our only non-private national broadcasting corporation.

Some would argue the CBC is well on its way out – that Radio One is pretentiously tedious, that the Radio 2 overhaul destroyed its solid, minority fan base, that CBC television is full of the worst kind of stereotypical made-in-Canada shows. This is to say nothing of independent-Canadian-music-celebrating Radio 3, unfortunately confined to the Internet airwaves and Sirius radio where few can find it.

The CBC is a part of the Canadian identity, and if that means it is occasionally nostalgic and quirky, well, so are we.

The downward spiral started last year when CTV bought the iconic Hockey Night In Canada theme song, and it has not ended there.

CBC has made an obvious effort in the past few years to focus on Canadian content and avoid American-made television shows as much as possible. But few shows last longer than a couple of seasons, and the massive American market is always an alluring, cheaper option. The possibility of signing more American shows and stopping Canadian production is a very real fear.

“ CBC is a part of the Canadian identity, and if that means it is occasionally nostalgic and quirky, well, so are we

Last week, CBC president Hubert Lacroix engaged in some desperate talks with the Harper government, asking for millions of dollars to keep the broadcaster on its feet. So far the government has been unwilling to siphon more money into what it must consider an unimportant sector of our communications and entertainment industry (one can only wonder how much Geri Hall’s This hour has 22 Minutes handcuff prank has to do with Harper turning down the CBC now.)

CBC has been a Canadian institution for decades, and the importance of a public broadcaster is imperative to Canada’s culture. The loss of it would be a devastating blow to that very Canadian identity that, though we may try to hide it, avoid it and make fun of it, is still a part of who we are.

Not only is it a cultural institution, but the CBC is an important part of our economy. The often-forgotten Radio 3 seems to be in the most danger now because it does not broadcast on regular radio airwaves. A forum for independent Canadian musicians, Radio 3 helps to identify them, profile them, and give them the opportunity for national recognition and trans-Canada touring.

Regardless of what the government believes its priorities are, the CBC should not be put forward as some sort of option – its salvation should be a given. It is a central part of who we are, who we have been, and what we could evolve into. It is a safe place for our artists and personalities to flourish, and without it, we will be no more than a massive mess of corporate conglomerates.

We must save the CBC – besides, can you imagine a life without Grant Lawrence’s voice? I can’t.

Published in Volume 63, Number 22 of The Uniter (March 5, 2009)