Thank you, Chair.
Again, we've had a few motions now where the point seems to be to give greater opportunity to those who are from minority groups in Canada. I just think it's important to remind the committee of the words that Ms. Roy spoke when she was here. This is a South Asian woman who came and testified at committee about the benefits of using a new media platform versus traditional broadcasting, suggesting why it is so important for us to make sure that freedom within these platforms is protected and that government control is kept at bay.
Ms. Roy said the following:
Frankly, I don't qualify. I'm just not the right fit. That I'm not the right fit is a story I've been told my whole life. I'm too brown. I'm a nerd. I'm too old. I'm female. I'm not feminine enough. I'm not the right demographic, but I've never been the right demographic. My voice has been suppressed far too many times. That's not an easy thing to do, because I have a pretty loud voice.
Somehow along the way, I discovered a platform that allows me to tell my story as I see fit in my own voice. Other people are indeed interested in my story. Somehow this tall, brown, old and somewhat-out-of-shape mom who skateboards resonates with people all over the globe. Authentic, inspiring, genuine content—that's Canadian content....
If my video is suppressed because the CRTC decides that someone else's content should be artificially pushed over mine, I lose my ability to get in front of my audience. That directly affects my bottom line.
The language of this bill matters. Please, sure, help—great, fantastic—but make sure the language is clear. Minister Rodriguez stated that online streamers don't contribute to Canadian culture: “[It's] very simple. Platforms are in and users are out.”
Herein lies the problem. With all due respect, the minister does not understand the language, and that can be dangerous. “Platforms” are in but “users” are out. My husband, who watches skate videos, is a user, whereas I make a living on the platform as a creator. Without creators, there is no platform for users to watch. To me, then, he's saying that platforms, and by extension creators, are in, but users are out. That's what's concerning to me. A lack of understanding leads to a lack of clarity. Please make it clear or leave that section out.
Again, if we're going to talk about defending those individuals who are from a minority group in Canada, it is of the utmost importance that we make sure that any section of this bill that might discriminate against those creators who use online platforms are taken out.
We're going to arrive at clause 4 very soon. If my colleagues are truly defending minority groups, I would encourage them to think very carefully and to act upon the words that Ms. Roy and other visual minority witnesses shared with us. It needs to be very clear that their right to these platforms and their ability to succeed within these platforms is protected—and that is to make sure that user-generated content is taken out.