What does “if needed” mean?
Evidence of meeting #100 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Evidence of meeting #100 for Canadian Heritage in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was crtc.
A recording is available from Parliament.
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Executive Director, Broadcasting, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
“If needed”, in this case, means we have a broad mandate to look at the broadcasting system in Canada. We're at the front end of this. There was a question raised about whether podcasting impacts the broadcasting system in Canada. We have no specific questions about it right now. We've preserved the ability to contact large companies that distribute podcasts in the future if needed.
I don't see this as particularly controversial to say that there are elements of the broadcasting system that we need to be in touch with if we develop policies. We have no policies regarding podcasts on the table at the moment.
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Executive Director, Broadcasting, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Yes, absolutely. We're a quasi-judicial tribunal, and I can't speak to a theoretical for the future—
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Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
But you're setting it up for that as a registration, basically, because you're saying that “if needed” we will need your contact information.
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Executive Director, Broadcasting, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Yes.
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Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
Thank you. I appreciate that.
One of the things you said is that you're collecting information on what is community, Canadian attitudes, opinions, ideas and values. Is that right?
You're collecting information, and the documentation says that's what you're collecting information about.
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Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I'm sorry. I don't know what you're referring to.
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Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
When you're out there engaging, you're looking for Canadian values. What are Canadians...in podcasting?
9:15 a.m.
Executive Director, Broadcasting, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
My apologies—I'm not sure which document you are referring to.
If you're referring to the registration consultation as a whole, we could address that, but I apologize, I'm not aware of the context of your question.
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Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
Okay, I'll move to the next one.
You're talking about connectivity and the words “to the last community”. It's a phrase I've heard today, getting it to the last community.
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Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
That's not a phrase that I use.
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Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
I heard one of you talking about getting the Internet connected to the last community.
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Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Was that to remote, rural and indigenous communities?
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Conservative
Martin Shields Conservative Bow River, AB
It's to the last community. To the last farm gate is where it needs to be.
I'm going to turn the time over to my colleague.
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Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Thank you, Chair.
At this point in time I'll be moving a motion.
Of course, those around this committee table understand that there's only so much time when we are in public and when we have the opportunity to move a motion that we feel is of great importance.
As other parties have done, I will take this opportunity. I recognize that we have a witness here, so I'm happy to move the motion, make a statement and then we can move to a vote quickly, if we wish.
The motion is as follows—
9:15 a.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
I have a point of order, Madam Chair.
Last time the CRTC was here, we had a filibuster from the Conservatives that blocked the CRTC from testifying for over an hour—
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NDP
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I must listen to what the member is saying before I can rule on whether it's a point of order or not.
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Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
No, I am just trying to speak over you because you continue to speak.
Mr. Julian has the floor. He has a point of order.