Evidence of meeting #48 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 crtc.
A video is available from Parliament.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I'm sorry. As the questioner, I do have the floor, Madam Chair.
I don't know why my question is being avoided. If you're not creating legislation, and you denied that—
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
That's not what I said.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
You said you're simply overseeing in a supervisory role.
I'm confused, then, because if specifics aren't in the legislation and you're saying the CRTC isn't going to play a regulatory role but only going to be supervising, what exactly are they supervising and how are organizations being held accountable?
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
Through you, Madam Chair, I'll try to be more clear.
I did not say that we're not engaging in regulation; I said that the fundamental nature of our activities is a supervisory one. In order to establish the regulatory framework, we will of course have to pass regulations along the lines that you described.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Okay. Do you believe that the CRTC should be put in control of that many things?
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I think that's what the legislation contemplates.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
I'm asking for your expert opinion as the leader of the CRTC.
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
It isn't for me, as the leader of the CRTC, to contemplate what the nature and objectives of the legislation—
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Scott, with all due respect, you would be able to tell me whether or not you sense, or whether or not your assessment would be that yes, that should be brought within the scope of the CRTC, or no, maybe it's a little too far-reaching.
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I can certainly try to answer that. I believe we have the necessary skills, more so than any other existing regulatory authority, to perform these functions.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Scott, the last time you were at committee I was asking you questions with regard to Bill C-11. There was a point in our conversation when I think perhaps you felt a little overwhelmed by my questions and you said that well, the Canadian public just needs to trust us. They just need to trust us. That was was what you said.
Mr. Scott, this summer it came to the attention of the Canadian public that over half a million dollars was given to a public anti-Semite, a bigot, a racist, and that this money was given by the CRTC.
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
That's incorrect.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Mr. Scott, I'm curious, then. Why should the Canadian public trust your entity?
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
First I have to disagree with your statement. The CRTC did not give funding, and the number is absolutely incorrect.
The CRTC has granted two cost awards in relation to an accessibility procedure to the organization you cited. We completely condemn the remarks of that individual. They were not part of the record of that proceeding.
The other point to which you were referring—
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
May I finish the sentence?
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
No, you may not, Mr. Scott. The floor is mine.
Mr. Scott, I wonder if you would table for us proof that the CRTC did not, in fact, have anything to do with that half-million dollars that was approved.
1:15 p.m.
Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission
I don't know what it is you would like me to table. It's taken by the broadcast participation fund, which operates entirely independently from the CRTC.
1:15 p.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Are you saying that the CRTC had nothing to do with any of the funds that went to Mr. Marouf?
1:15 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
The time is up. I'm sorry about that. We're going to have to return, Mrs. Thomas, whenever you get another chance.
The next person for the Liberals, for six minutes, is Mr. Anthony Housefather.
1:20 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
Madam Chair, on a point of order, can I say something?
1:20 p.m.
Conservative
Michael Cooper Conservative St. Albert—Edmonton, AB
It's Michael Coteau.
We invite guests to this committee to exchange information and to answer questions. I think it would be kind if we extended a courtesy to them to at least let them finish the sentence they are making.
I understand that we as members have the floor, but if we ask someone a question, they have to be able to finish the answer, or at least their sentence in that answer, before they are interrupted several times.
I just wanted to mention that, Chair.
1:20 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Michael.
I already mentioned earlier on that the witnesses should be allowed, for courtesy's sake, to finish their sentence at least.
Thank you very much.
Now—
1:20 p.m.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
On a different point of order, Chair, I'm getting some feedback from your microphone when you're talking. I'm not sure if anyone else is experiencing that. Maybe you can just raise your microphone.
Thank you very much.