Canadian Heritage Committee on Nov. 25th, 2022

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Go ahead, Mrs. Thomas.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Just to once again put it on the record, the honourable member would recall that there was indeed an Australian witness who came forward and said that everything was fine and dandy in Australia. Then there was a written submission that was given to us as committee members from local news outlets in Australia. Several hundred of them got together and co-signed this letter to us, which said that it was not correct and that they did, in fact, get left out in the cold.

I certainly wouldn't want that to happen to local media sources here in Canada. Again, that's the reason for the motion on the table. I would hope the government would want to defend them as well.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Is there any other discussion on CPC-13.2?

Seeing none, then I'll proceed to the vote.

(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 3 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We have a hard stop at 3:02 p.m. What is the wish of this committee?

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

Keep going. We're on a roll.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

We'll keep going. Okay.

On CPC-14, we lead it off with the Conservatives.

Ms. Gladu, please address CPC-14.

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

You remember that the other day we had a conversation. We were trying to put some definition around the size of entities. We proposed different thresholds of dollar values. The comment, I believe from Mr. Ripley, was that this would be put in the regulations. This amendment is to make sure that it will be put in the regulations so that we do get that definition on size of organization, etc.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thank you.

We'll go to Mrs. Thomas now.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you to my colleague for weighing in there.

Indeed, that's exactly it. Essentially, what we're trying to do here with CPC-14 is create greater clarity. It's being put forward by my colleague Mr. Nater. This was one mechanism that he wanted put in place in order to help bring greater certainty. Again, it's in order to serve various news outlets, in particular those that are smaller in nature, to ensure they do, in fact, get a fair shake before DNIs can close their doors and no longer have to enter into negotiations.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thank you.

Ms. Gladu, you still have your hand up. Do you wish to speak?

[Marilyn Gladu, Conservative, Sarnia—Lambton, ON]

No, it's a leftover, Chair. Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Okay, thank you.

Go ahead, Mr. Bittle.

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

Thank you so much, Chair.

The Governor in Council has the power to specify exemption thresholds. It already exists under paragraphs 84(c) and (d), and those will be used. Creating the exact same powers for the CRTC would create a conflict. The news landscape is constantly shifting. Setting specific thresholds for a constantly shifting sector, in my opinion, is not a good idea.

Once again, it's a little surprising to see. I know there's been concern expressed about the GIC having powers to regulate, which historically it always had. It's surprising to see the Conservatives wanting to trust the CRTC with regulation-making powers.

Thank you.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

Thank you.

Is there any other discussion on CPC-14 as we move forward?

Seeing none, we'll call for the vote.

(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 3 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

The hard stop is 3:02 p.m., and it's 3:01:50 p.m.

Go ahead, Mr. Julian.

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

I do believe there's a clause 11 that we can look to carry.

[The Vice-Chair, Conservative, Kevin Waugh]

We can do that, yes. Thank you very much.

Shall clause 11 carry, as amended?

(Clause 11 as amended agreed to: yeas 7; nays 3 [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Thank you, everyone. We'll see what happens on Tuesday.

The meeting is adjourned.