Evidence of meeting #21 for Canadian Heritage in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was history.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
We can be public, Mr. Chair. I have no problem with that.
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
I'm saying, Mr. Chair—if I can clarify—that I have no issue with it being public right now.
I know Mr. Nantel has brought forward that we should have respected the guests' time, and I completely agree. That's why it's unfortunate that a motion was dropped in the middle of the opportunity for the member to ask questions. I believe that once the official opposition has done that and has already shown a lack of respect for the witnesses, we should deal with that motion. We're giving them the opportunity in a public session to deal with their motion, so we're prepared.
12:40 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL
Can I just make a motion to say that at the end of this meeting we can vote on a motion to study the over-the-top--
12:40 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Moore
Right now Mr. Calandra has asked for unanimous consent, so first we have to see if there is unanimous consent for what Mr. Calandra has asked.
Is there unanimous consent to deal with the--
12:40 p.m.
NDP
Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON
Mr. Chair, there was no disrespect meant to the witnesses. It was a very quick motion, actually. But it's important that we be on the record. My colleague over here--
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Moore
That's fine. That's not a point of order.
Is there unanimous consent to deal with the motion now?
12:45 p.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
Mr. Chair, may I also suggest that the witnesses be excused, with our apologies?
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Moore
Witnesses, we apologize, but you were all able to give a wonderful presentation. We appreciate your presentations. We would look forward to any more information you want to provide us with, and we know that each and every one of your organizations and you will play a very important role as we celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.
Sorry for the delayed start and for the rushed end, but we are going to move on to other business. Thank you again.
The committee is suspended.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Moore
We will get started again.
We're not in camera, just so everyone knows. We're usually in camera when we do committee business.
On committee business, is there anything we're going to discuss? We want to discuss the motion by Mr. Cash. Does everyone have it in front of them? I don't have to read it or anything, do I? We're okay?
We'll begin discussion with Mr. Cash.
12:50 p.m.
NDP
Andrew Cash NDP Davenport, ON
Mr. Chair, as I said earlier, the outgoing CRTC commissioner, Konrad von Finckenstein, raised this sort of as a flag, something we need to focus on in an urgent way. There are regulatory gaps the broadcasting industry is looking for some clarity on, around services such as Netflix.
We need to take a look at this and, as the motion indicates, understand how Canada's regulatory environment could be adapted to the new realities of the digital marketplace. That's the function of this committee, and that's why this motion is so important and why it's important for us, at some point in our schedule, to give this the kind of priority it deserves.
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL
We're going to do the over-the-top here. We're going to study this sort of phenomenon. One of the issues I'd like to delve into is its effect on the regulatory system. From what I can see, I guess that's what we're considering here. Is that correct?
12:50 p.m.
An hon. member
Yes.
12:50 p.m.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL
I have just a couple of questions.
I think we'd have to call in the relevant witnesses, and we will have to sit down and have a discussion as to who they are. As a matter of fact I would suggest that to begin with we call in someone to talk about the over-the-top industry and its possible effects. From there we can be flexible enough to decide who should come in. Obviously there should be the BDUs--Shaw, Rogers, and so on. Obviously we want to call in Netflix or whoever represents them. But beyond that there could be others too. So I would suggest we have the first meeting to talk with someone who is well aware of the issue and flesh out who we can talk to in subsequent meetings.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
Paul Calandra Conservative Oak Ridges—Markham, ON
Mr. Chairman, I wonder if you could clarify for me what some of the things are that we have scheduled for committee business going forward.
12:50 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Rob Moore
After today, we will have three days remaining in our four-day study on Canada's 150th anniversary, focused on museums, as per Madam Boutin-Sweet's motion.
We have Canada's entertainment software industry after the recess--
