Bill C-552 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act (sports blackouts)

This bill was last introduced in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session, which ended in August 2015.

Sponsor

Glenn Thibeault  NDP

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Outside the Order of Precedence (a private member's bill that hasn't yet won the draw that determines which private member's bills can be debated), as of Nov. 19, 2013
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament often publishes better independent summaries.

This enactment amends the Broadcasting Act to prohibit the blackout of sports events being held in venues that have received a subsidy or tax relief from the federal government or from a provincial or municipal government.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from the Library of Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Broadcasting ActRoutine Proceedings

November 19th, 2013 / 10 a.m.
See context

NDP

Glenn Thibeault NDP Sudbury, ON

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-552, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act (sports blackouts).

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to introduce my bill today that would ban television blackouts for live sporting events held in venues constructed with the use of public financing. Blackouts are broadcasting restrictions imposed by broadcasters, professional sports teams, and leagues.

With this being Grey Cup week, it would be great to see Canadians from coast to coast to coast gather around their television sets to cheer on their respective teams. Sorry, Mr. Speaker, go Ticats, go.

Whether it is the NHL or CFL footfall, Canadians have tended to support the use of public money for the construction of stadiums and arenas to house professional sports franchises. All Canadian Football League games on TSN are subject to local blackouts. Edmonton Eskimo home games are not broadcast in Edmonton or the immediate surrounding area, to ensure that fans buy tickets. In the case of the Saskatchewan Roughriders home games, the blackout zone covers the entire province of Saskatchewan, largely because the team relies more on the whole province for support.

However, these stadiums did receive some public funds. With that, it is only fair that leagues offer some reciprocity and allow fans to watch the games on television without the threat of local or regional blackouts.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)