Since it launched in 2018, CBC’s Gem streaming service has been a slap in the face to Canadians. Ottawa takes around $1.5 billion a year out of our pockets, ostensibly so the public broadcaster can provide reliable news and support the domestic film industry, but if Canadians want to watch CBC News Network without a cable package, or tax-funded programming without ads, they have to fork over an additional $5.99 a month.
