Evidence of meeting #28 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was amendments.
A recording is available from Parliament.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thank you very much, Mr. Scott.
Thank you, Mr. McKay.
Now we go on to the Conservatives.
Ms. Bateman.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all of our witnesses for being here. This is an interesting discussion. I have a couple of questions.
First I want to understand something. According to the Industry Canada website, interference devices are already not permitted. I need clarification from you, Ms. Fancy, about why you are seeking this prohibition against the jamming devices and what is going to be achieved with it.
9:15 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
Under the current legislation, although they are mentioned, they are mentioned in the context of having the intent to use them for a bad purpose. The modified language is much stronger; there is just an outright prohibition.
There are very few legitimate uses for a jammer, and the stronger wording reflects that.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Okay.
Is there a reporting mechanism in place that will capture somebody's attempt to use a jammer? You gave an earlier example that was for when one was used for nefarious purposes. Is there a reporting mechanism under your control by means of which you will be able to follow up on an incident, should it occur?
9:15 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
Primarily, complaints are reported to the regional offices, because we have direct and local presence in communities. People who are experiencing the impacts of such devices would complain directly to our regional offices.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
You as the senior director have an accountability process in place so that you are aware of what's going on in your regional offices, if there is a huge influx of complaints, for example.
9:15 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
Absolutely.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
What is it your intention to do with that, going forward?
9:15 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
We would be judging what compliance activity should be taken. There may be, for example, seizure of the jammers. There may be AMPs used as a compliance tool. There may be simple education for somebody who might be a truck driver who was just trying to use a jammer so that his boss didn't know he was taking an extra rest break. We would be able to understand all the cases in which we have taken compliance measures for jammers and understand whether we have any trends that we need to address or enforce more aggressively.
9:15 a.m.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Your second point on that made reference to AMPs. Could you amplify—I'm sorry—on that, please.
9:15 a.m.
Some hon. members
Oh, oh!
9:15 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
If the legislation is put in place, AMPs would be a tool that could also be used to encourage compliance against jammers. If somebody were found with a jammer, the first time we might educate. If they were found with jammers a second time, we might—
9:20 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
We might AMP. Yes.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
Joyce Bateman Conservative Winnipeg South Centre, MB
Okay, thank you.
I also want to understand about the bills. Clearly you had an exhaustive process with the industry. But I'm curious. How much have service providers typically charged a consumer for receiving a paper bill?
9:20 a.m.
Director, Business and Regulatory Analysis, Telecommunications Branch, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Industry
The most typical fee is $2.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
9:20 a.m.
Director, Business and Regulatory Analysis, Telecommunications Branch, Strategic Policy Sector, Department of Industry
Two dollars per month does add up.
9:20 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thanks, folks. We'll have to end with that typical fee.
Mr. Masse.
9:20 a.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
And thank you to the witnesses for being here.
I, too, am a little bit concerned with the process, especially the fact that we can't make amendments to the bill. Also, I think it's quite likely this will end up in the courts. We're dealing with telecommunication companies that are having specific legislation design that influences their capabilities in the free market, with no recourse aside from, basically, government presentations. That's why we've seen so many court cases. We're talking about billions of dollars here.
Ms. Fancy, I'd like to start with you. You're right. The 700-megahertz auction was quite significant for Canadian history, giving the government over $5 billion in resources. How much of that actually went back to telecommunication development for the government, in terms of maybe getting wireless out to rural and other small communities?
9:20 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
I do not have that information. I'm sorry.
9:20 a.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
Okay, I guess I can move to the.... You have two more blocks, you're saying, that are in 2015. What are those estimated values of those blocks to return for the government?
9:20 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
We do not forecast any particular revenues. It is based on what the market will feel the value of the particular spectrum is.
9:20 a.m.
NDP
Brian Masse NDP Windsor West, ON
So, there's been no government study or economic evaluation of what those blocks will provide for the taxpayers of Canada?
9:20 a.m.
Senior Director, Spectrum Management Operations, Department of Industry
No, sir.