CBC pundit received tens of thousands in taxpayer dollars from Trudeau government

CBC pundit Professor Carissima Mathen was paid tens of thousands of dollars by the CBC, Blacklock's Reporter has found.

The payments, made by the Privy Council Office, were made to the tune of $24,750.

The taxpayer-funded BC has said that they were unaware of the payments made to Prof. Mathen.

"Professor Mathen is not a regular contributor," said Chuck Thompson, spokesperson for the CBC. "In fact she hasn't been on CBC for at least a year. If we book her again, any potential conflicts will be determined at the time as we endeavor to do with all our guests."

Prof. Mathen, who teaches at the University of Ottawa, appeared on CBC as a pundit in favour of federal legislation.  

Prof. Mathen did not give a reason for the payments saying: "My work in 2017 is subject to a duty of confidentiality that I am not at liberty to waive," said Mathen. "I have not engaged in any related discussion with media or otherwise."

"In 2016 I provided advice about a new appointment process for the Supreme Court of Canada," said Prof. Mathen. "That work is on the public record. I have disclosed it to all media seeking commentary about that new process."

The payments go against the CBC's Journalistic Standards And Practices Guide, which specifically says that the company should "mention any association, affiliation or specific interest a guest or commentator may have so that the public can fully understand that person’s perspective."

Mathen has previously expressed support for the Liberal Party and cabinet, saying in a March 17 tweet: "They may not get every decision right, but they are clearly acting in good faith."