That is one reason, yes.
Evidence of meeting #22 for Canadian Heritage in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was facebook.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #22 for Canadian Heritage in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was facebook.
A recording is available from Parliament.
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
That is one reason, yes.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
You're not privy to the unredacted board minutes that would give you this information. Is that correct?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I have not asked and I am not privy to them.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Zuckerberg, though, is on the board and he was privy both to what happened at board meetings and to the minutes of those board meetings. Is that correct?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
Presumably.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Thank you very much.
Mr. Chan, on January 30, 2021, Australia's treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, stated that Mr. Zuckerberg had called him and other Australian lawmakers to talk about the news media bargaining code.
Were you on those phone calls?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I was not.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
You therefore couldn't tell us what representations Mr. Zuckerberg made to Australian lawmakers. Is that correct?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I cannot tell you anything that was personally conveyed on either side.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
I understand.
Mr. Frydenberg then stated, on February 18, that he had again been called by Mr. Zuckerberg on two consecutive days.
You weren't on those calls either, were you?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I was not.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated, at the same time, that Facebook was making threats and that this was not a good way to deal with his government.
You would be unable to tell me if Mr. Zuckerberg made threats on phone calls with Mr. Frydenberg. Is that correct?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I would never characterize Facebook as making threats to anyone, sir.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
That's a very good comment from any good Facebook employee, and I agree with you. I appreciate that. I won't characterize it that way either. I was just making the point that you weren't on the calls.
We've now established that many of the questions committee members have would be ones that Mr. Zuckerberg can answer but you cannot.
Mr. Chan, are you aware that this committee invited Mr. Zuckerberg to appear, and that when he declined our invitation, we adopted a motion to send him a summons?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I am aware, based on media reports, that this was done, yes.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Are you aware that Facebook's Canadian counsel responded to our clerk by saying that he was not authorized to accept a summons for Mr. Zuckerberg?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I was notified by counsel that this was the response.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Chan, I'm sure you're aware that Mr. Zuckerberg testified last week before a congressional subcommittee.
Do you know how many times in the last six months Mr. Zuckerberg has testified before congressional committees?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I do not.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
It's three, and he has testified before Congress seven times.
Mr. Chan, since Mr. Zuckerberg takes his responsibility to U.S. lawmakers so seriously, can you explain to us why he repeatedly refuses invitations, and indeed summonses, from Canadian parliamentary committees?
11:20 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
Sure. As you point out, Mr. Housefather, Mark, as an American, was very much engaged with the U.S. congressional process last week. It so happens that your committee has requested an appearance today and, of course, it's Canadian representatives of the company who are here before you today.
Facebook, as you can appreciate, is a platform that is operating in many countries around the world. It is the case that when Parliament wishes to speak to representatives of the company, we will always be there, as we have been with the Canadian heritage committee, regardless of the topic. We are happy to engage, and the company has a similar posture around the world.
11:20 a.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Chan, as soon as Australia announced that it would propose legislation that Facebook did not like, Mr. Zuckerberg reportedly reached out to Australian lawmakers directly. It therefore seems to me, based on your testimony, that unless we're going to do something like Australia did, Mr. Zuckerberg doesn't plan to come to Canada.
How much is your ad revenue in Canada on an annual basis, Mr. Chan?
11:25 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I'm not aware of that number.
11:25 a.m.
Liberal
11:25 a.m.
Global Director and Head of Public Policy, Facebook Canada, Facebook Inc.
I'm not sure.