I was struck by this piece's emphasis on all the whinging from self-serving traditional business interests who might lose out if ads are abolished on CBC.  
First, the status quo is not an option. Consumers are signing off TV at an increasing rate. The content on internet streaming  sites isn't continually interrupted by sales pitches.  Commercial TV is in trouble regardless of CBC's status.
Second, what about the consumer? People hate to sit through ads, they're boring, insulting and endlessly repeated, sometimes twice in one break. They've ruined TV sports. (Except for baseball where commercials actually relieve the trivia-induced boredom.) 
Third: The Mandate.  My Canada includes places like Old Crow, Fort MacPherson, Clyde River, Ulukhaktok and Rankin Inlet.  Southerners forget that there's more to Canada than Toronto pretending to be part of the USA.
Fourth: I'd suggest that it  should be made legal for Canadians to donate to CBC for a tax credit.