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Summary
This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.
This enactment amends the Radiocommunication Act to require spectrum licence holders (a) to deploy the spectrum to at least 50% of the population within the geographic area covered by the spectrum licence; and (b) in respect of the utilization of radio frequencies within a Tier 1 to 4 service area as described in Canada Gazette notice DGSO-006-19, Decision on a New Set of Service Areas for Spectrum Licensing , published on July 23, 2019, to deploy the spectrum to provide service to at least 50% of the population within any Tier 5 service areas located within the geographic area covered by the spectrum licence.
Elsewhere
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other S-242s:
S-242 (2017)
An Act to amend the Competition Act (misrepresentations to public)
S-242 (2009)
An Act to amend the Canadian Payments Act (debit card payment systems)
S-242 (2008)
An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (telecommunications consumer agency)
Votes
Nov. 8, 2023Failed 2nd reading of Bill S-242, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill S-242, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act, aims to prevent spectrum speculation by requiring spectrum license holders to deploy services to at least 50% of the population within the licensed geographic area within three years, or risk license revocation. It seeks to empower the Minister to reallocate unused spectrum to other providers and ensure deployment extends beyond urban centers to include rural and remote areas. The bill also addresses concerns about license holders selling licenses to avoid compliance and aims to improve internet and cellular connectivity, especially in underserved regions of Canada.
Conservative
Supports the bill: The Conservative party supports Bill S-242 as a first step to address rural connectivity in Canada. They commend Senator Patterson for his work and hope for its passage in the House.
"Use it or lose it": The party emphasizes the bill's "use it or lose it" provision, requiring telcos to service at least 50% of a geographic region within three years of obtaining spectrum licences, or risk losing them, to ensure spectrum is used to connect rural areas to high-speed Internet.
Addresses spectrum speculation: The Conservatives highlight the bill's aim to tackle spectrum speculation, where companies profit from buying and selling spectrum without developing it, and empower the Minister to prevent such practices.
Connecting rural Canada: The Conservative party frames the bill as essential for connecting rural and remote communities, including Indigenous communities, to bridge the digital divide and ensure access to vital services like healthcare, education, and economic opportunities.
NDP
Addresses high cellphone prices: The NDP believes the high cost of cellphone service is the result of government policy (spanning multiple Prime Ministers) to prioritize revenue from spectrum auctions over consumer rights and fair pricing, allowing companies to operate with low competition and high charges.
Supports 'use it or lose it': The NDP supports Bill S-242 because it prevents companies from buying spectrum and then reselling it for profit without deploying it, which they see as ransoming a public asset against the public interest.
Cell service is essential: The NDP advocates for cell service to be recognized as an essential service, ensuring affordability and accessibility, particularly in rural areas, and criticizes the current system where rural areas receive poorer service despite contributing to the spectrum resource.
Rural broadband access lacking: The NDP highlights the stark digital divide between urban and rural Canada, where rural areas have significantly lower broadband speeds and lack access to essential services, impacting agriculture, safety, and economic opportunities. The NDP argues that the lack of reliable connectivity in rural communities is depriving them of access to the 21st-century economy and all the opportunities that it has.
Bloc
Bill inadequate as is: The Bloc Québécois will vote against Bill S-242 in its current form because they feel it requires significant amendments. They advocate for a deeper reflection process, similar to that used for high-speed internet deployment, and express concerns that the bill doesn't adequately address the connectivity needs of rural and remote regions.
Need for accessibility: The Bloc emphasizes that before focusing on competition, the priority should be on improving accessibility to cell service in rural areas. They believe those in rural areas are being penalized and undermine land use when access is not a priority.
Government support needed: The Bloc believes the government needs to fund infrastructure deployment to connect residents in unserved areas. Telecommunications companies should be required to serve as many residents as possible and share infrastructure more effectively.
Quebec's leadership: The Bloc highlights Quebec's success with "operation high speed" as an example of how quickly connectivity can be improved when the province is given the funds to address the issue directly, arguing Quebec is well-positioned to know and address the needs of its communities.
Liberal
Oppose Bill S-242: The Liberal speakers do not support Bill S-242. The bill may add complications, jeopardize existing licenses, and cause unintended damage.
Prefer committee study: Liberals suggest that the Standing Committee on Industry and Technology (INDU) study the issue of spectrum deployment and rural connectivity to develop recommendations. The committee is believed to be well positioned to do so, and may already be initiating a study.
Committed to connectivity: The Liberal members claim to be committed to connecting all Canadians to high-speed internet, citing the government's investment of over $7.6 billion and progress towards connecting 98% of Canadians by 2026 and 100% by 2030. The government already implements "use it or lose it" rules and is strengthening older deployment requirements.
Bill S-242 is flawed: Bill S-242's universal coverage requirement for all spectrum licenses, regardless of intended use, is problematic. It would create uncertainty, disrupt investment plans, limit competition, and potentially force service providers to close down in remote areas. It would be retroactively applied which is unfair.
