Good afternoon.
The Fédération nationale des communications et de la culture represents 86 unions in the field of culture and information in Quebec, including the major news media unions.
From the outset, I'd like to say that our primary concern is the preservation of a strong, professional, independent, diverse and financially healthy press in Quebec. We also want the press to maintain the ability to offer a diversity of viewpoints that reflect not only the regions but the multidimensional fabric of the Canadian population. We also want it to be present in all its forms across the country.
Far too many media outlets have already closed up shop, in large part due to the fact that advertising revenues—news media's traditional revenue source—have been siphoned off by digital platforms.
To meet these objectives, it's imperative that we address the failures in the market, namely, the considerable leverage that digital platforms have over news media outlets by taking the lion's share of advertising revenues derived from journalistic information. That's why we believe these legislative provisions are necessary to adequately regulate and balance the commercial relationship between the news media and the almighty—and, might I add, somewhat threatening as of late—digital platforms.
The Fédération nationale des communications et de la culture supports Bill C‑18 in the name of its members, but also in the name of all Canadians, because professional information is a pillar of democracy. A well-informed population is a population that makes informed choices, which is what we all want, I believe.
Nevertheless, we'd like to bring to the attention of legislators some aspects of the legislation that could be improved.
First, the CRTC's proposed exemption order powers, which allow platforms to be exempt and to negotiate new agreements, are too broad and risk seriously compromising Bill C‑18's effective contribution to strengthening the diversity of voices in the field of news media.
We're absolutely committed to the preservation of smaller media outlets that, among other things, meet the specific needs of certain communities and regions. A few major agreements with national media shouldn't undermine the ability of smaller actors to exercise their rights.
Second, Bill C‑18 should provide for negotiations for a greater number of news media, including local media with only one full-time journalist and emerging digital media, which aren't based on the same structure as traditional print media. We also believe that media companies that deal in specialized journalism should be taken into consideration.