The Canadian Media Guild says CBC has some explaining to do after a speech Thursday by president Hubert Lacroix, who hinted at a reduction of services and job cuts should the pubcaster not receive aid from Ottawa.

The guild — which represents roughly 4,500 CBC employees — said in a statement on Friday that it is ‘seeking clarifications’ from the pubcaster’s management, adding that it has not been notified of layoffs and had been assured no decisions have been made.

Lacroix told Toronto’s Empire Club that his network will consider airing more American shows and selling off assets to make up for a drop in revenue, as it tries to weather the economic storm. His comments came after Ottawa indicated it will not bail out the pubcaster.

Lacroix will reportedly meet with Heritage Minister James Moore this week and is also seeking a meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The guild says it wants to meet with Lacroix before a CBC board meeting in mid-March.

‘The CMG is committed to working with the CBC through this difficult period to come up with creative ways to save the institution and jobs, and continue serving Canadians,’ commented Marc-Philippe Laurin, president of the guild’s CBC branch.

The guild also joined CBC in asking Ottawa for more money for the pubcaster, saying that public broadcasting should be included in the government’s overall stimulus plan.

‘This is not the time to spur on a race to the bottom in the media industry, which is in a severe crisis across the board,’ added CMG national president Lise Lareau.