Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 23rd, 2023

[Vicky Eatrides]

Yes, absolutely.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Thank you.

I think my time is up, Madam Chair. Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much.

We'll have Mr. Julian for two and a half minutes.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

Thank you.

I want to come back to the issue of resources for the CRTC.

Yesterday in the House of Commons, the leader of the official opposition announced the terrorist attack, which turned out to be absolutely false. Now, this came because somebody in the official opposition leader's office was obviously watching the Fox propaganda network, which was also giving that false news.

I understand that the Fox propaganda network hearings are being delayed and any decision on Fox propaganda, which provides a tidal wave of toxic disinformation in Canada. There's no fact-based journalism there, and they're very open about that. The Fox propaganda network hearings and decision are delayed.

I note that and come back to the fact that there have been complaints about delays with the CRTC. You have a very important mandate. Broadcasting is in crisis. In many respects, people are being gouged with cellphone and Internet fees, and we're seeing foreign interference from the Fox propaganda network and other sources.

Do you have the resources to do the job? I don't share your confidence that you do, given the complaints about delays and given the fact that the CRTC's role is so vitally important.

What can this committee suggest to the government that you need in terms of additional resources?

[Vicky Eatrides]

Thank you for the question.

As I said, we have the resources that we need right now. We will not be shy to ask for additional resources if and when we need them.

With respect to the complaint that you're referring to that we had received, we did post that as per our normal process. We posted the complaint. We received over 7,000 submissions in response to that complaint. People had very different perspectives on the complaint, but it became very clear that there was concern about issues around content and freedom of expression.

We took that record and decided that we would hold a broader hearing, which is forthcoming, on how we treat foreign services who are operating in Canada.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

I will go now to Mr. Shields for the Conservatives.

You have five minutes.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Quickly, you're described as being independent and at arm's length. I've been on Bill C-10, Bill C-11 and Bill C-18, so we've heard ministers say that a number of times.

I have the ATIP question. You said you did not send information to the minister. You said that a few minutes ago. Be careful, because I have information here. They sent it to you, then, because I know what they sent. I know it went back and forth.

When it talks about “media lines”, I know what those are. They sent them to you, then. You didn't send it to them, you said, so they sent them to you.

[Vicky Eatrides]

Again, there is some exchange of communications materials—

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

But you said you didn't send them to them. Then they sent them to you—media lines. Is that right?

[Vicky Eatrides]

I don't know what media lines—

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

I do. I have it here, and I have the information, so I know. So be careful.

[Vicky Eatrides]

Again, if information is shared for information, then that happens through communications. It's not for comment.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

They sent it to you. You said you didn't send it to them, so they, then, sent those media lines to you. Thank you.

Moving on—

[Vicky Eatrides]

I don't know if any media lines were sent.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

I have other questions to ask.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

I can move on. I can move to my next question.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You can move on—

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

—but you asked a question. We should hear the answer.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

She said—

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

No, it's his prerogative. He can make a statement if he wishes.

[Taleeb Noormohamed, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

She has to be able to answer the question.

[Martin Shields, Conservative, Bow River, AB]

She gave me the answer.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

You gave yourself the answer.