Evidence of meeting #27 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 crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Now, folks, we go to, in your hymn book, CPC-8.
I see it's submitted by Mr. Rayes.
Will you be speaking to this?
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Amendment CPC-8 concerns the CBC, as all of you have clearly seen. We think the modernization of the Broadcasting Act should have addressed the CBC's mandate. Consequently, we're proposing a series of amendments under which the CRTC would require the CBC to act as the public broadcaster and not to compete unfairly with private broadcasters.
We hope you'll support the amendment so that the CBC conducts itself fairly with all other players in the market.
Liberal
Tim Louis Liberal Kitchener—Conestoga, ON
Mr. Chair, as a member of Parliament and as a member of the arts community, I do not think this amendment is in the scope of the bill, because the Broadcasting Act is not focused on the CBC. We're talking about web giants contributing their fair share. I'm concerned about this motion's intent to have recourse to actually attack the CBC.
In my riding, constituents care deeply about the CBC. We're proud of the work it does and the stories it tells. This issue came up in my riding in 2017 when a Conservative MP at the time voted to defund the CBC, so this amendment is worrisome, in my view.
CBC is an independent Crown agency. It has a board. It has an ombudsperson. It reports to Parliament. It has a demonstrative process to ensure that it follows its mandate. Adding CRTC as a watchdog to the CBC, which already licenses them, is not necessary in my opinion. The CRTC already goes through a wholesome process to provide the CBC and Radio-Canada with its licence to operate.
For the reasons above, I do not believe that it's up to the CRTC to decide what the CBC's mandate is. I submit that for discussion.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
I'd be curious to hear more details from Mr. Rayes.
As I understand the amendment, the CRTC would be asked to ensure that the CBC carries out its mandate. I don't think that's so scary.
I'd like to hear what Mr. Rayes has to say about the intent behind this amendment, to see whether there's any concealed intent.
Conservative
Alain Rayes Conservative Richmond—Arthabaska, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I'm pleased to be asked that question.
I find it hard to understand how the Liberals could resent us for moving an amendment that asks the CBC to abide by its mandate as the public broadcaster. We aren't talking about funding here. There's nothing binding. We're simply asking the CBC to abide by the mandate for which it receives government subsidies, period.
If the Liberals want to vote down an amendment designed to ensure the public broadcaster abides by the mandate Parliament has given it, that's their own business, but I don't know how people would understand that. It would be quite surprising.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Seeing nobody else on my speakers list, we will now go to a vote on amendment CPC-8
Shall CPC-8 carry?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
We'll now go to a vote.
(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
We'll go to BQ-16 with Mr. Champoux.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
First of all, amendment BQ-16 proposes the following wording:
(4) The Commission shall, by order, on the terms and conditions that it considers appropriate, exempt persons who carry on broadcasting undertakings of any class specified in the order from any or all of the requirements of this Part, of an order made under section 9.1 or of a regulation made under this Part if the Commission is satisfied that compliance with those requirements will not have a significant effect on the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1).
So we propose to replace "contribute in a material manner to the implementation of" with "have a significant effect on the implementation of".
We also propose to add, after line 26 on page 6, the following:
(5) The Commission shall review the exemption order if it considers compliance with the order to have a significant effect on the implementation of the Canadian broadcasting policy.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Is there any further debate on BQ-16?
Seeing no further conversation, shall BQ-16 carry?
Liberal
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
One second, everybody. I don't need a mishmash of conversations across everyone here. I need someone to recognize, to begin with. I had Ms. Dabrusin, and then I'll go to Mr. Housefather.
Ms. Dabrusin.
Liberal
Julie Dabrusin Liberal Toronto—Danforth, ON
I apologize. I was kind of following along and said no, but actually I am not opposed to this, and given that there were no comments, I expect that it would actually pass without the need for a recorded division.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Mr. Chair, I think we were looking at the wrong one. I am fine with this one.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
We're in a virtual world and sometimes this stuff gets confused. What I'm going to do then is call the question again.
So that there's no confusion, we haven't advanced. We are still on BQ-16.
(Amendment agreed to)
That brings us to the end of clause 6, which invites the inevitable question. Shall clause 6 as amended carry?