Tories question CBC funding of spoof-style Indigenous show on residential schools
Conservative MPs say the taxpayer-funded series deceived them and trivialized residential school history, while CBC says it is an early-production comedy project.
- Conservatives are criticizing CBC and APTN for funding "Northland Tales," a satirical prank program that allegedly used false pretenses to secure interviews with figures accused of downplaying residential school harm.
- Described by the Indigenous Screen Office as a satire program, the series aims to "flip the script" on historical injustices against Indigenous Peoples using comedy, similar to formats like Borat.
- Frances Widdowson, a known controversial figure, realized her interview was a spoof after production staff placed children's shoes—symbols of residential school victims—in front of her during filming.
- Conservative MP Aaron Gunn, who declined an interview, alleged the production attempted to "entrap" individuals defending Sir John Macdonald using deceptive motives and false pretenses.
- CBC head of public affairs Chuck Thompson stated the production intends to "increase better understanding of historical injustices" against Indigenous peoples, while confirming the broadcaster's news divisions were not involved.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Tories denounce spoof-style comedy series mocking denialism
Conservatives are questioning why CBC is funding a spoof program that used false pretences to lure high-profile people accused of downplaying the damage caused by residential schools into sitting for interviews. Several current and former Conservative politicians have gone on social media to denounce the production “Northland Tales.” The show is being produced for CBC and APTN. The show is described by the Indigenous Screen Office — which works …
Conservatives denounce the use of taxpayers' money to prank people.
The Toronto Star
Tories question CBC funding of spoof-style Indigenous show on residential schools
OTTAWA - Conservatives are questioning why CBC is funding a spoof program that used false pretences to lure high-profile people accused of downplaying the damage caused by residential schools into
Conservatives Question CBC-Funded Prank Program Targeting Tory MP, Others for Hoax Interviews
The Conservatives say the taxpayer-funded CBC shouldn’t be backing a prank program that attempted to target a Tory MP and individual citizens in disguise as part of a show featuring hoax interviews on controversial topics. Among the figures targeted by the program are Conservative MP Aaron Gunn, author Lindsay Shepherd, and academic Frances Widdowson. “This CBC show tried (unsuccessfully) to manipulate and deceive a sitting Member of Parliament,…
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