Canadian Heritage Committee on May 23rd, 2024

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

In your recommendations to the CRTC, did you establish an order of priority for what needs to be implemented?

Did you say that such or such a file is a priority, because it’s complex, because it will take a long time to deal with and it has to be resolved before moving on to other matters? Can you tell me what was prioritized?

Mr. Ripley, do you want to answer the question?

[Thomas Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Department of Canadian Heritage]

Thank you for the question, Mr. Champoux.

The Order published by the government in November 2023 specifies that the CRTC must complete the work within two years. So, by November 2025, it should all be done.

As you noted, priorities were outlined for certain commitments and certain community consultations during the implementation of the Order.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

During the entire study of Bill C‑11, it seems to me that for just about every witness from the cultural and broadcasting industries, the most urgent concern was for web giants to pay their fair share, to contribute to the broadcasting system and cultural industry for the content they use, and for them to produce content that meets the criteria.

That said, we’re nowhere near close to that. Currently, it’s not even being studied. Right now, the CRTC is studying the Indigenous broadcasting policy. I’m not setting the priorities. I know that for some it’s a priority, even an urgent one. However, it seems to me that the biggest priority should be to finalize the definition of Canadian audiovisual content. It was discussed at length around this table, as well as the issue of consultations on structural relationships.

In short, it seems to me that we’re currently studying a little chunk of business over here, a little chunk of business over there, and at the end of the day, we could have been more effective and more efficient in implementing the regulations. Meanwhile, the cultural industry and broadcasters are wondering when it’s all going to wrap up.

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

If I am not mistaken, a decision will be rendered shortly regarding the basic contribution from platforms targeted by the Act. Indeed, I’m well aware that we had to face headwinds for at least three years just to pass the bill.

It represents a major change to the Broadcasting Act and the entire system. Yes, there are deadlines and delays for implementing all this regulation. We are fully aware that the most urgent concerns focus on basic contributions, defining Canadian content, ensuring that our foundations can still provide the means to support our cultural creation, and making it easier to find the content made by us and for us.

Perhaps at the very least…

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

I want to tell you that I’m worried about delivery on the regulations. I don’t get the impression we’re on track to meet the expected timeframe. I’m concerned about it. I’d like to send a clear message when it comes to managing priorities. These regulations were due for decades, and I’m not exaggerating by putting it that way. The industry had been clamouring for these regulations for a very long time. I get the impression it’s taking a long time to materialize.

I’ll move on to another file. I tried to throw in a little interlude, because I didn’t want to immediately broach the subject of CBC/Radio‑Canada.

You appointed members to your expert advisory committee to review the public broadcaster’s mandate. The announcement was made in mid-May, on May 13, if I’m not mistaken. I must admit that my colleagues and I at the Bloc Québécois who, as you know, defend Quebec’s interests with everything we’ve got, found that there wasn’t a lot of consideration from your expert committee regarding Quebec’s reality, which is nonetheless important for Radio-Canada’s mandate.

Among the experts you recruited to sit on your advisory committee, can you tell me which ones are experts in Quebec’s broadcasting system and Radio-Canada’s mandate, properly speaking?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

First of all, among the experts sitting on the committee, four of them speak French fluently. Three out of eight, including myself, speak French as their mother tongue. Furthermore, I can tell you that I myself am a Quebecer and I understand…

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

I have no doubt about that, but it’s not because one speaks French that one understands Radio-Canada’s mandate in Quebec.

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

I thank my colleague for his comment, and I will continue to answer his question.

Radio-Canada’s reality is extremely important…

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Please be quick, if you don't mind. You're over time here.

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

My priority is to ensure not only Radio-Canada’s vitality and sustainability, but also that of the CBC. I thoroughly understand the role that Radio-Canada plays in Quebec.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thank you.

We go now to the New Democratic Party.

Niki Ashton, you have six minutes, please.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Minister.

Job cuts, executive bonuses and a culture of suppressing workers' experiences of harassment and discrimination—I'm not talking about a private media conglomerate but about our public broadcaster, the CBC. We've had a lot of concerns in this committee about the conduct of the CBC, but I want to zero in on one that was referred to earlier.

When Ms. Tait appeared at committee, we had a ridiculous discussion on whether or not the bonus money that senior executives at CBC received was in fact a bonus. Ms. Tait didn't seem to understand how out of touch and inappropriate it would be to reward senior executives with bonuses while laying off workers at the CBC.

Following the meeting, the committee received a letter from the CBC, saying, among other things:

Performance pay for the President and CEO is determined by the Government of Canada following a review of performance and recommendations by the board of directors of CBC/Radio-Canada.

As Ms. Tait clarified during her appearance, she has not yet received performance pay for the fiscal 2022-2023 year.

My question to you, Madam Minister, is this: Do you believe, as the Minister of Heritage, that Ms. Tait, the head of our public broadcaster, deserves a bonus at this time?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

My colleague’s question is entirely premature.

As I said previously, I’ve not yet received the assessment for fiscal year 2023‑2024 regarding the contractual agreement and the performance objectives that must be met. The board of directors will conduct the assessment.

As for CBC/Radio‑Canada’s overall performance, I want to remind…

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Thank you, Minister, for your answer to my question. However, I am disappointed you didn’t answer with a yes or a no.

As you know, our speaking time is limited here, so I will move on to my next question.

I want to move to Bell Media. As Bell laid off 6,000 workers over eight months, we heard a number of condemnations from politicians in every party, including the Prime Minister, who made some very colourful remarks followed by no action. The lives of 6,000 people were irrevocably changed, all while Bell increased the amounts of dividend cheques it handed out to shareholders.

Media in this country is in crisis. Communities across the country don't have access to local journalism. It seems the Liberals are content to tweet out thoughts and prayers in place of real solutions. Bell received over $122 million from the Canadian emergency wage subsidy, only to lay off staff and pay out exorbitant executive bonuses. Besides big empty statements from the Prime Minister, your government has done nothing to respond to these massive layoffs concretely.

What are your plans as heritage minister in terms of concrete action in response to these major layoffs at Bell Media?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

It’s completely false to say that our government did nothing to offset job losses in the entire media sector, be it on the private sector side or with the public broadcaster.

We passed the Online News Act so that web giants contribute to our media companies’ success and to make sure newsrooms remain viable throughout the country. We’re talking about $500 million that Google will invest annually, which will be adjusted for inflation. It’s a major step forward for regulating web giants. Furthermore, it will help the journalism sector throughout the country.

We also implemented the Local Journalism Initiative, which provides funds to media organizations. We also created the Canadian Journalism Labour Tax Credit, and implemented many measures to help journalism.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

Yes, but my question was about Bell Media and the employees who lost their jobs.

I'll move on to another question.

Minister, I want to move to a different topic within your department.

Ahead of Canada's co-hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2026, I have called on the federal government to ensure that the benefits of hosting the World Cup, the world's single largest sporting event, are truly felt across the country. You, as a former sports minister, know this file as well.

What we said is clear. For an event of this size and magnitude, the whole country should benefit, and most importantly, all of our youth should benefit.

Soccer is the fastest-growing sport in Canada. For many in communities like the ones I represent, soccer saves lives. We've called for partnerships with youth in northern and indigenous communities, like Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Moose Lake Cree Nation, Flin Flon and many others.

We heard and saw nothing from this federal government until over $200 million was given to Toronto and Vancouver in the lead-up to the World Cup.

This is Canada's event. What is your plan, as minister, and what its your government's plan to ensure that this historic event benefits and allows for investment in all of our youth, including northern and indigenous youth, who so greatly deserve this investment?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

I invite you to put your question to the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, who has taken over the file concerning the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA.

What I have to say is that our government has been very committed to investing in things like community sport. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize Diana Matheson and the entire women's team that created the new professional women's soccer league in Canada. This is really a success story, and it shows the rise of women in the world of sport.

[Niki Ashton, NDP, Churchill—Keewatinook Aski, MB]

As a senior minister in this area and a former minister of sport and physical activity, do you believe that investments must be made in soccer for the purpose of the World Cup, for the good of youth across Canada, and not just for the benefit of the Toronto and Vancouver corporations?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

I thank my colleague for the question.

When we delegate our authority as ministers, we are no longer responsible for the files, so it's my colleague, Minister Carla Qualtrough, who is now the Minister of Sport and Physical Activity, who will be able to answer in more detail about the status of the FIFA World Cup project.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thank you, Minister.

We'll move to the second round. It's a five-minute round for the Conservatives.

Rachael Thomas.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Minister, do you approve of Ms. Tait, the head of the CBC, scrapping hundreds of jobs while simultaneously giving out 15 million dollars' worth of bonuses to executives?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

Our government's actions are clear about the future of CBC/Radio‑Canada and the importance of jobs.

The Conservatives made drastic cuts to the public broadcaster when they were in power. Again today, they are promising to completely cut funding to CBC/Radio‑Canada and thereby destroy our public broadcaster.

The government's considerable financial investments show that jobs and the role of the public broadcaster are important to the government.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Through you, Chair, I would ask the minister to come to order.

Minister, my question was simple. I realize you probably don't want to answer it, but it is very simple: Do you approve of Ms. Tait, the head of the CBC, giving 15 million dollars' worth of bonuses to top executives while slashing hundreds of jobs?

[Pascale St-Onge, Liberal, Brome—Missisquoi, QC]

I want to remind you that we have announced investments, particularly in budget 2024, which my colleague will oppose. She has already announced that the entire Conservative Party will vote against the budget. So I think that she's the one who wants to cut positions at CBC/Radio‑Canada.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Minister, you're okay, then, with the head of the CBC, Ms. Catherine Tait, cutting hundreds of jobs just before Christmas and making that announcement while giving $15 million to top executives.