I call this meeting to order.
Good morning, everyone. I would like to acknowledge that this meeting is taking place on the unceded traditional territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
Welcome to meeting No. 34 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.
Pursuant to the orders of reference of Thursday, May 12, 2022, the committee is resuming consideration of Bill C-11, an act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other acts.
Pursuant to government motion 16, adopted by the House of Commons on Monday, June 13, 2022, the committee is commencing clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, and although most of you are familiar, I would like to suggest, pursuant to the House order of November 25, 2021, that members attending in person must wear a mask at all times, except when eating. Per the directive of the Board of Internal Economy on March 10, we will also remember that members who are working virtually from home must mute themselves unless they are going to speak. I'd like to also ask you to make sure that you address everything through the chair.
I will recognize you by name when you put your hand up. The clerk and I will be working in tandem. She tells me what's going on on the floor. Even though I can see it, I cannot really distinguish whose hand is up, so she lets me know whose hand is up. If there's anybody joining virtually—and I notice that Mr. Uppal is virtual—use your “raise hand” signal at the bottom of the screen, so that I can know when you want to say something.
Remember again to plug in your mikes on the floor for interpretation, and for those who are virtual, the interpretation is in the globe icon at the bottom of the screen. That's about it.
Now I want to provide members of the committee with some instructions and a few comments on how the committee will proceed with the clause-by-clause consideration of Bill C-11.
As the name indicates, this is an examination of all the clauses in the order in which they appear in the bill. I will call each clause in succession, and each clause is subject to debate and a vote. If there is an amendment to the clause in question, I will recognize the member proposing it, who may explain it. The amendment will then be open for debate. When no further members wish to intervene, the amendment will be voted on.
Amendments will be considered in the order in which they appear in the bill or in the package each member received from the clerk. Members should note that amendments must be submitted in writing to the clerk of the committee. The chair will go slowly to allow members to follow the proceedings properly. Amendments have been given an alphanumeric number to indicate which party submitted them. There is no need for a seconder to move an amendment. Once an amendment is moved, you will need unanimous consent to withdraw it.
During debate on an amendment, members are permitted to move subamendments. These subamendments must be submitted in writing. They do not require the approval of the mover of the amendment. Only one subamendment may be considered at a time. When a subamendment is moved to an amendment, it is voted on first. Then another subamendment may be moved, or the committee may consider the main amendment and vote on it.
Once every clause has been voted on, the committee will vote on the title and the bill itself, and an order to reprint the bill may be required if amendments are adopted, so that the House has a proper copy for use at report stage.
Finally, the committee will have to order the chair to report the bill to the House, and that report contains only the text of any adopted amendments, as well as an indication of any deleted clauses.
