Evidence of meeting #1 for Canadian Heritage in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chair.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Clerk of the Committee  Ms. Jubilee Jackson
Erin Virgint  Committee Researcher

4 p.m.

Conservative

Steven Blaney Conservative Bellechasse—Les Etchemins—Lévis, QC

We were fortunate to have an informal information session given by Ms. Simard and Ms. Yale. The spirit of the motion is to hear from those who speak for the report. I am perfectly comfortable if we specify that in the wording of the motion. We could also instruct the clerk in that regard. That is fine with me.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

Before we go madly off in different directions, I'm going to look for some direction.

Mr. Champoux mentioned having two witnesses, one francophone and one anglophone. I'm looking to Monsieur Champoux for direction as to how he would like to amend Mr. Blaney's motion.

4:05 p.m.

Bloc

Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC

Forgive my ignorance on the subject. This is the first time I have sat on a committee. I don’t know the precise way to make an amendment like that. My goal is simply for it to specify that there should be francophone representation when this very lengthy report is studied.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

My apologies. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. It's just that I had the feeling you were headed toward an amendment. You would just like us to know you would like to have both francophone and anglophone witnesses.

4:05 p.m.

Bloc

Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC

Actually, I would like to make sure that there is francophone and anglophone representation.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

Thank you.

Mr. Housefather.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Chair, I do not believe that an amendment is necessary. Mr. Blaney has clearly stated what he would like. We agree that the clerk can invite Ms. Simard and Ms. Yale to come to the committee together. Let’s hope that we can find a date soon and that they will both be able to come to testify.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

We will go with that motion right now.

Does anyone have an amendment at this point on this particular motion?

4:05 p.m.

An hon. member

No.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

Monsieur Blaney's motion is before us.

(Motion agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

The motion is carried.

Is there any further business?

Mr. Housefather.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Thank you so much, Mr. Chair.

Basically, I think it's only fair that I give notice of a motion that we would discuss at the next meeting, because I'd like people to have it in advance. I'd like to put forward a motion that I'd like the clerk to distribute, which would be basically as follows....

Maybe I will wait until it's distributed. It's the social media one.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

Stepping into this pause I would like to say hello to everybody, and thank you very much for having me as chair.

I'm just trying to fill time.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Mr. Chair, you're from Newfoundland. You can kill time better than anyone.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

You have no idea. I can take 12 minutes just to clear my throat.

4:05 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Okay. I think everyone has a copy now.

I would like to talk about why I am making this motion.

In the last Parliament, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights published a report asking that “the Government of Canada establish requirements for online platforms and Internet service providers” to ensure that we have rules to combat hate and crime online. In the mandate letter issued to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, he is asked to create those rules. I believe that it is important for the committee to study the matter and make recommendations to the Minister on the best way to proceed.

If possible, Mr. Chair, I will read my motion and we can discuss it at the next meeting of the committee.

Whereas the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights studied the issue of online hate in the previous Parliament and in recommendation 8 recommended that the Government of Canada establish requirements for online platforms and Internet service providers with regard to how they monitor and address incidents of hate speech and the need to remove all posts that would constitute online hate in a timely manner; whereas the Minister of Canadian Heritage has been asked in his mandate letter to establish such requirements; whereas hate speech and other expression prohibited by Canada's Criminal Code, such as incitement of violence, incitement of genocide, creation or distribution of terrorist propaganda and exploitation of children, have been deemed by our courts to either not be expression protected under section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms or speech that can be validly restricted in Canada under section 1 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms; and whereas it would be advisable for the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage to study how to best implement such new regulations, including a review of what foreign jurisdictions such as Germany have done in this regard, be it resolved that the Committee study the creation and implementation of new regulations for online media platforms and Internet service providers requiring them to monitor, address and remove content that constitutes hate speech and remove any other content which is illegal in Canada or prohibited by the Criminal Code, such as incitement of violence, incitement of genocide, creation or distribution of terrorist propaganda and exploitation of children, in a timely manner; that the committee hold at least no less than four meetings on this subject with relevant witnesses; and that the Committee report its findings to the House of Commons.

I would note that I addressed the concerns that I know many of my colleagues have about free speech in this area, and I've made it very clear that the issues we're dealing with are criminal in nature, are prohibited under the Criminal Code, and thus are not covered as freedom of expression under the Charter of Rights. Because the minister has this in his mandate letter, I think it would be appropriate for the committee to weigh in and hear from witnesses prior to such time as the minister comes out with his recommendations. If my colleagues have any questions over the course of the next few days before our next meeting on Monday, they should not hesitate to come and see me.

Feel free to come and see me. I will very gladly answer your questions.

Thank you.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

There are just a couple of things, Mr. Housefather.

You do not wish to open this up to discussion right now but to bring it up at the next meeting, if I understand you correctly.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

That was my suggestion, because people haven't had a chance to study it yet.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

There is one bit of housekeeping we have to do, which was pointed out. It is customary in a motion in front of the committee not to include the preamble that you have. The motion would actually start at the fifth paragraph. Do you see “Be it resolved”? It would start where it says, “That the Committee study the creation”. That would be the text of the motion that we would be voting on and discussing in the next meeting.

Is everybody okay with that? Are there any questions about the logistics of this as opposed to the actual subject matter? Are we okay with that?

4:10 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

Okay. Nothing is required right now, other than the fact that we'll ask Mr. Housefather to discuss it along with possible amendments at the next meeting.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC

Can we meet offline?

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

Mr. Housefather, this also brings up another point, and I'm not trying to single you out here.

Everyone, for the benefit of people who are watching or listening to this, because it is broadcast through audio—and also for our gentleman in the back here, who is in charge of recording—whether it's in camera or not, it is recorded. I ask that you please not just jump into any discussion that is going on. Please catch my attention, or at least try to, because I would like to recognize everyone who speaks. I mean that when it comes to committee business as well. It's so much easier for them and for us to keep moving. I hope everybody is okay with that. I probably should have said that when I was campaigning for the job, so I hope I didn't fool you.

Nevertheless, thank you, Mr. Housefather, for that.

Is there any more business to discuss at this first meeting?

Madame Bessette.

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Lyne Bessette Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Mr. Simms, and congratulations on your appointment as Chair.

I am a recently elected member, so forgive me if I am not as perfect as Mr. Housefather.

I would like to introduce a motion to foster a national culture of safe sport. Does everyone have a copy in English and in French?

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Scott Simms

We'll provide the interpreter with a copy, if you could hold on for one or two seconds.

Would you like to distribute it before you talk about it?

4:10 p.m.

Liberal

Lyne Bessette Liberal Brome—Missisquoi, QC

Yes.