CEP says CanWest Global will violate the Broadcasting Act and its license if it goes ahead with plans to relocate its news operations, and in a complaint filed with the CRTC is calling for a public inquiry into the Winnipeg company’s plans to cut 200 jobs across the country.

CanWest last month announced it is scaling down its local news efforts, cutting jobs at Global and E! stations in order to centralize its news department at broadcast centers in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto. CanWest is also moving some of its newspaper operations to Hamilton, ON.

The plans ‘are in breach of principles central to the Canadian broadcasting system and clear commitments CanWest has made to the CRTC,’ said Peter Murdoch, the union’s VP of media, in a statement. The union represents some 1000 CanWest employees. ‘It is incumbent on the CRTC to step up to the plate.’

A spokeperson for CanWest was not available for comment, though the company has said that it will continue to deliver local news, and that staff in each market will continue to turn out content.

CRTC hearings into the purchase of Alliance Atlantis by CanWest and its U.S. partner Goldman Sachs are due to begin on Nov. 19.