Twenty-two Canadian broadcasters have formed what’s billed as a first-of-its kind group committed to working together to increase the collective impact and speed of environmentally sustainable change.

Canadian Broadcasters for Sustainability was announced Sunday (June 11) during the first day of the Banff World Media Festival (BANFF), which runs through Wednesday (June 14) in Banff, Alta.

The public and private broadcasters in the group include Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), Asian Television Network, Bell Media, Blue Ant Media, CBC/Radio-Canada, Channel Zero, CHEK Media, Corus Entertainment, Hollywood Suite, and Knowledge Network.

The group is rounded out by New Tang Dynasty (Canada), Nunavut Independent Television Network, OUTtv, Pelmorex Corp., Remstar Media, Rogers Sports & Media, Super Channel, Télé-Québec, TFO, TV5, TVO and WildBrain.

Canadian Broadcasters for Sustainability will meet at least quarterly to leverage each other’s sustainability progress and share their learnings on environmentally sustainable thinking in their commissioned productions, according to a news release.

Their five goals include collaborating on sustainability initiatives while avoiding duplication and boosting the impact of resources and learnings.

The group has also vowed to increase the scope and impact of sustainability actions, and improve efforts to produce content — excluding news and current affairs — sustainably, considering factors including how carbon impact is measured and addressed.

The goals also include reaching more audiences with science-informed content — excluding news and current affairs — that inspires people to make more sustainable choices, and understanding and consulting with marginalized communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change.

“This is just the beginning,” CBC EVP Barbara Williams told BANFF delegates. “We are seeing the effects of climate change, we are living through it right now; working together, we can make progress and make it that much faster.”

For many of the broadcasters involved, the new group furthers their own sustainable production initiatives.

“When we look at the impacts of climate change, Inuit are one of the most at-risk populations in Canada. As a broadcaster that is providing a voice for Inuit, Uvagut TV is committed to help move the sustainability agenda forward,” said Lucy Tulugarjuk, Nunavut Independent Television Network executive director, in a statement.

At CBC/Radio-Canada, the commitment redoubles their sustainable production efforts after the launch of its first environmental strategy in 2021 and the recent announcement of its participation in Canada’s Net-Zero Challenge, said Catherine Tait, the pubcaster’s president and CEO.

David Errington, president and CEO of AMI, said the pact comes as the company “is committed to supporting positive steps to improve living conditions for all.”

For Bell Media, the sustainability group is in addition to the company’s “ongoing commitment to make our operations carbon neutral by 2025 and to reduce absolute GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions by 2030,” said Karine Moses, the company’s SVP, content development and news and vice chair, Québec.

Michael MacMillan, co-founder and CEO, Blue Ant Media said the company is also working “towards making a positive environmental impact,” while Nana Banerjee, president and CEO, Pelmorex Corp., said the company “strives to contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future through our actions and solutions, one decision at a time.”

Colin Bohm, EVP, content and corporate strategy, Corus Entertainment, said the group’s five goals will help the company “make meaningful gains” in reducing its collective impact on the environment.

Joining the group is “not only an ethical responsibility but also a strategic decision that drives innovation, ensuring a thriving business in a rapidly changing world,” said Romen Podzyhun, chairman and CEO of Channel Zero.

For Hollywood Suite, the collaboration comes as the company is “exploring new ways to ensure we minimize the impact of broadcasting and streaming technology, as well as production,” said president David Kines.

Michelle van Beusekom, president and CEO of Knowledge Network Corporation, said the coalition will “develop sustainable sector-wide practices and contribute to informed public dialogue about climate change.”

Isabelle Legris, VP and general manager, Remstar Media, called it a “historic group,” while Don McDonald, president and CEO, Super Channel, said it’s an “important initiative” that will “ensure that meaningful steps are taken in our industry to combat climate change.”

Added John Ferri, VP of programming, TVO: “TVO is encouraged and inspired to be a part of this group of Canadian broadcasters.”

Photo by Kristian Bogner Photography

Photo L-R: Drew Mullin, CBC; Sally Catto, CBC; Lisa Clarkson, CBC; Sam Linton, Blue Ant Media; David Errington, Accessible Media Inc.; Dany Meloul, Radio-Canada; Barbara Williams, CBC; Kathleen Meek, Corus Entertainment; Lindsay Nielsen, CHEK Media; Carlyn Klebuc, Bell Media; Julie Kumaria, Hollywood Suite;  Michelle van Beusekom, Knowledge Network; Kimberley Ball, Super Channel