Evidence of meeting #58 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 journalists.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2:35 p.m.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Madam Chair, it's a wise decision on the part of my colleague Mr. Julian. I thank him for it and salute him.
BQ‑4 is near and dear to me because it adds journalistic rigour to Bill C‑18.
In preparation for the committee's work, I had the opportunity to speak with various journalism associations, including the Quebec Press Council, the Fédération professionnelle des journalistes du Québec and other stakeholders.
I was wondering how we could incorporate the basic principles of journalism, which are rigour, independence and fairness, into Bill C‑18. We have racked our brains to try to find the best possible wording—I know others have tried—but simplicity is always the most effective solution.
Therefore, through this amendment, I propose to add the following subparagraph to paragraph 27(1)(b) to require the following from an eligible news business:(iv) is a member of a recognized journalistic association, follows the code of ethics of a recognized journalistic association or has its own code of ethics whose standards of professional conduct require adherence to the recognized processes and principles of the journalism profession, including fairness, independence and rigour in reporting news and handling sources.
In my opinion, it makes perfect sense to ask businesses that will benefit from the framework put in place by Bill C‑18 to adhere to these ethical principles. If they are not members of a recognized journalistic organization or association, they must at least adhere to a code of ethics that meets those criteria if they do not have one. This amendment is quite permissive and quite broad. We're not requiring companies to be members of an organization or an association, but we're asking them to adhere to these principles and to commit to them.
2:40 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you.
Is there any discussion with regard to this?
Go ahead, Mr. Housefather.
2:40 p.m.
Liberal
Anthony Housefather Liberal Mount Royal, QC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I am fully in favour of the amendment proposed by my colleague Mr. Champoux.
We discussed this in the House of Commons, and I would like to suggest a friendly subamendment by adding two words to the French version, as follows: “elle est soit membre d'une association journalistique reconnue et adhère au code de déontologie d'une association journalistique reconnue ou dispose…”.
In English, it would say, "either a member of a recognized journalistic association, and follows the code of ethics of a recognized journalistic association, or has its own code of ethics..." That's just to be clear that there are two options. They can either be a member of the association and follow that code of ethics or have their own.
I really hope my friend Mr. Champoux will accept my friendly amendment.
2:40 p.m.
Bloc
2:40 p.m.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
The enumeration is quite clear in the French version. First, there are commas between the various elements. Second, the wording “ou dispose de son propre code” suggests that there is a choice.
However, I fully agree with my colleague's amendment if it allows for more clarity and better understanding. What I'm looking for is a clear statement that news businesses must adhere to the principles. If they do that by joining an association, so much the better. If they adhere to the principles by creating their own code of ethics, I have no problem with that. If my colleague's friendly amendment makes things clearer, I will gladly accept it.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Thank you, Chair.
Absolutely, I think it's important that they follow a code of ethics, etc. However, a very valid point was raised by students. A lot of times students in journalism schools are writing for various organizations. They are not yet accredited; they don't have credentials. They're writing on their own dime. They're not necessarily covered under the school for that. We heard that a lot of times, volunteers in the community-based radio stations wouldn't have their own accreditations.
I wonder if we could add to this. We could take Mr. Housefather's recommendation, which is that it is either a member of a recognized journalistic association and follows the code of ethics of a recognized journalistic association or has its own code of ethics whose standards...and I would add “or is under the supervision of one of the aforementioned”.
2:40 p.m.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
I would put that right at the end. I would say, “or is under the supervision of the aforementioned”.
That way it's clear that there are these different choices of how they can be structured and that volunteers or students who are under their supervision would also be included.
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you.
Is anyone opposed to Mr. Housefather's...?
Oh, I'm so sorry. I forgot. We'll go to Peter Julian and then Michael Coteau.
2:45 p.m.
The Clerk
It was actually Mr. Julian, Mr. Champoux and then Mr. Coteau.
2:45 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I have a question for the legislative clerk.
Our amendment on the page immediately following NDP‑19 deals with the code of ethics. I wanted to know if we would be better off moving it as a subamendment here and then finishing the discussion on these clauses later. I wouldn't want the adoption of BQ‑4, which we are discussing, to make it impossible to study our amendment dealing with the code of ethics.
2:45 p.m.
Legislative Clerk
Thank you, Madam Chair.
Can I just have a minute to look at it, please?
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Take what you need.
Shall we suspend? Is it really a minute, Mr. Méla, or is it more?
2:45 p.m.
The Clerk
I need a minute or two. I'll be brief for sure.
2:45 p.m.
NDP
Peter Julian NDP New Westminster—Burnaby, BC
Madam Chair, you could also continue and come back to me later.
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
While Mr. Méla is looking at this, I still have not received an answer about whether.... We cannot have three subamendments on the table at the same time.
The first subamendment was Mr. Housefather's, which said it either is a member of a recognized journalist organization or follows a code of ethics, etc.
Is there any opposition to Mr. Housefather's subamendment?
Go ahead, Martin.
2:45 p.m.
Bloc
Martin Champoux Bloc Drummond, QC
Madam Chair, since Mr. Housefather's subamendment was in turn amended by Ms. Gladu, we should decide whether we are discussing what was proposed by Ms. Gladu or Mr. Housefather. They are two different things.
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Yes, but she has a very different subamendment from Mr. Housefather's. We need to deal with them one at a time while Mr. Méla is considering Mr. Julian's question, so let us deal with it.
After “and handling sources”, at the end of the sentence Ms. Gladu added a subamendment that added that they are "supervised” by a journalistic body or journalistic association.
Is there any opposition to that?
2:45 p.m.
The Clerk
Dr. Fry—
2:45 p.m.
Liberal
Michael Coteau Liberal Don Valley East, ON
I had a question about the amendment and the main motion together before we vote on everything.