Canadian Heritage Committee on June 14th, 2022

[Thomas Owen Ripley]

The effect of this amendment would be to remove the policy objectives that speak to the discoverability of Canadian programming services and Canadian programs, including French language programs, as well as to the importance of online undertakings promoting and recommending Canadian programming in both official languages and indigenous languages.

It would remove the policy objectives from the act but does not remove the power of the CRTC to provide obligations with respect to discoverability, because those are provided for later in the bill. The policy objectives essentially function as guidance to the CRTC about the important things Parliament is asking it to implement through the broadcasting system and the decisions it makes.

These are hooks, so to speak, to enable interested parties and stakeholders to go before the CRTC and ask for certain things in CRTC decisions.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Mr. Ripley.

Is there any further discussion? Shall CPC-7.11 carry?

(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 4)

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Now we move to CPC-7.12.

Mr. Nater.

[John Nater, Conservative, Perth—Wellington, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

CPC-7.12 is a far narrower attempt to at least provide a bit of clarity on our part. Earlier in the debate this morning—or this afternoon, whenever it was—we tried to introduce a definition of discoverability within the bill. That was defeated, but this is just a small change.

It's changing the top of page 7 by basically changing one word, so it would instead read, “allow for the discoverability of Canadian programming”. That's a relatively a small change, but I think it's significant when we look at how different streamers, domestic and international, operate. I believe the word “allow” rather than “ensure” is more reflective of how these types of systems operate and how Canadian content and others would be treated on these platforms.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, John.

Seeing no discussion, we will call the question on CPC-7.12.

(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Now we move to BQ-9.

Go ahead, Mr. Champoux.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

Madam Chair, can I just propose that we take a five-minute break?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Absolutely. That's wonderful.

Go ahead, Mr. Julian.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

On a point of order, Madam Chair, this isn't relevant to you, but there is a box of Purdys chocolates in the room. People should feel free to have a chocolate during the break.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Madam Chair, I'll take your selection of chocolate.

[Michael Coteau, Liberal, Don Valley East, ON]

You could have FedExed the chair some, you know.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

You are very welcome. I was hoping that somebody would email it to me.

Thanks, everybody. Go ahead and have a five-minute suspension.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

We will resume.

[Anthony Housefather, Liberal, Mount Royal, QC]

Madam Chair, on a point of order, I just wanted to also speed things up. If it's okay with you, I'd like to withdraw LIB-11 in favour of NDP-20, which is in the package. We won't have to vote on that one.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I have my amendments on a different system, but when I get to LIB-11 I will note that it's withdrawn.

Now we are moving to BQ-9. I just wanted, again, to let everyone know that if BQ-9 is adopted, LIB-5 cannot be moved, due to a line conflict. Thank you.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Madam Chair, this is an issue that we have—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes, Martin. Did you enjoy my selection of chocolate?

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

It was extraordinary. In fact, I didn't take mine, Madam Chair, because it was too much. I just took yours and it was delicious.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Martin. Go ahead.

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

BQ-9 seeks to change the wording to "French language original programs.”

However, there is a small correction to be made to the English version of the amendment, because the words are reversed. I think it should read "including original French language programs.”

Otherwise, I think it is in line with what we have already discussed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Martin.

Is there any further discussion on this? Shall BQ-9 carry?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you very much.

Now that BQ-9 is carried, LIB-5 cannot be moved, so we shall remove LIB-5.

We will go to NDP-7.1.

Peter.

[Peter Julian, NDP, New Westminster—Burnaby, BC]

I move that Bill C-11, in clause 3, be amended by adding on page 7 after line 9 the following:

(iii) ensure the delivery of programming at affordable rates;

That is as one of the components of online undertakings.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Peter.

Yes, Chris.

[Chris Bittle, Liberal, St. Catharines, ON]

I was wondering if I could ask officials, through you, Madam Chair, what the consequence of this amendment may be.