Evidence of meeting #35 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 amendment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Perhaps we shall call the question on LIB-3.1.
(Amendment agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
5:20 p.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Again, we're still in the broadcasting policy element of this. I think we foreshadowed this debate a few minutes ago in discussion with Mr. Julian's motion. I'll read this one into the record. I move that Bill C-11, in clause 3, be amended by adding after line 15 on page 5 the following:
(iii.6) provide opportunities to Canadians from racialized communities and of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds to produce programs and broadcasting undertakings, including programs that reflect the diverse lived experiences of Canadians and that express the cultural and historically significant stories of Canadians from racialized communities and diverse ethnocultural backgrounds,
I don't think I need to explain much more. I think it's fairly self-explanatory and builds on many of the conversations we've had in the last hour within this committee. We heard this, perhaps not always directly, from witness testimony. It's certainly in some of the briefs provided to our offices, in terms of written submissions.
I'm happy to move this amendment and, hopefully, we'll find support around the table.
Thank you, Madam Chair.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Is there any discussion on Mr. Nater's amendment?
There are no hands up on the floor and no hands up virtually. Shall we call the question on this?
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
We agree with the goals of this amendment, but our preference is for G-2, in that it provides stronger assurances for these communities in the legislation. Unfortunately, we oppose it.
5:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you.
Is there any further discussion? No.
Let's call the question, please.
(Amendment negatived: nays 6; yeas 5)
I think we could seek the committee's opinion on this. We are supposed to end this meeting at a set time, which is 5:30. We have six minutes left. Do we wish to go to G-2—
5:25 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Madam Chair, I believe you might have unanimous consent to extend until six. I believe our next meeting starts at 6:30, which would still give us a half an hour break.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
I need to ask the clerk, because this has to do with resources and rest breaks for clerical persons and for committee support staff.
Clerk, can we go until six?
5:25 p.m.
The Clerk Ms. Tina Miller
Madam Chair, could I get a minute to check on that and get back to you as soon as possible?
5:25 p.m.
Conservative
John Nater Conservative Perth—Wellington, ON
Madam Chair, before you suspend, I think we could work on G-2 while the clerk seeks clarification.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
All right. We have only six minutes, so if the clerk says no, we're going to go over time.
We'll continue the discussion. G-2 is—
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Thank you so much, Chair.
What this amendment does is propose an amendment by adding, after line 15 on page 5, proposed subparagraph (iii.6) and proposed subparagraph (iii.7). It's a pretty simple amendment that speaks to some of the previous amendments in the same spirit. It's about broadening diversity and inclusion within broadcasting and allowing more Canadians to see themselves reflected in culture.
I would ask for the committee's support on this one amendment.
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
Yes.
G-2 reads as follows:
(iii.6) support the production and broadcasting of programs in a diversity of languages that reflect racialized communities and the diversity of the ethnocultural composition of Canadian society, including through broadcasting undertakings that are carried on by Canadians from racialized communities and diverse ethnocultural backgrounds,
(iii.7) provide opportunities to Canadians from racialized communities and diverse ethnocultural backgrounds to produce and broadcast programs by and for those communities,
5:25 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you.
Is there discussion on this?
Actually, before we move into that, Clerk, could you give us your response on the question with regard to resources and time?
