Canadian Heritage Committee on Dec. 2nd, 2022

[The Clerk]

Mrs. Thomas has her hand up, Dr. Fry.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Go ahead, Mrs. Thomas.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you. I want to be certain.

I guess this is for the legislative clerk. My understanding of the Liberal one is that it's an amendment, not a subamendment. It means that we'll consider it later on, when its turn comes.

That would mean, then, that CPC-22 and those others that you listed could still potentially be considered.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes.

[Philippe Méla]

Madam Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I think that was what Mr. Méla said.

Go ahead, Mr. Méla.

[Philippe Méla]

Yes. If we did it in the order in which they were put in the package, the answer is yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Right now, we're dealing with CPC-21. I shall ask the question.

Shall CPC-21 carry?

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

We're going to go to CPC-22.

Go ahead, Mrs. Thomas.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

CPC-22 replaces lines 12 to 15 on page 10 with the following:

“(iii) produces news content that does not consist primarily of paid promotional material for the products, services or activities of the owner of the news business or any of its affiliates, or for those of a third party.

Essentially, what we're trying to get at here is there are times when, for example, the front page of a newspaper is taken and used for advertising purposes, rather than for news. It's a paid-off, full, entire page—sometimes even several full pages—that appears to be news, but is actually paid-for content.

We don't believe that this material should be rewarded.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

I can see two hands in the virtual space.

Is there anyone on the floor, Clerk?

[The Clerk]

Yes, Dr. Fry. I have Mr. Bittle, Ms. Gladu and Mr. Waugh.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Mr. Waugh and Ms. Gladu I can see, but Mr. Bittle....

Mr. Bittle, go ahead.

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

Thank you so much, Madam Chair.

The concern that is addressed in this amendment about promotional material is already dealt with in proposed section 31, which clarifies what content can be bargained for. It excludes outlets intended to promote particular interests.

As such, I'll be opposed to this amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Go ahead, Ms. Gladu.

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

Thank you, Chair.

I have a question for Ms. Thomas.

If the government gives $595 million to news outlets to say nice things about them in the lead-up to an election, is that considered paid promotional material?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Ripley, would you like to answer that question?

[Thomas Owen Ripley]

It was a question for MP Thomas, I believe.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes. I would like to know the answer, though, from your perspective at some point.

MP Thomas, do you have an answer for that?

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I would let my friend Mr. Ripley respond, should he wish to do so.

[Thomas Owen Ripley]

It's so generous of you, MP Thomas.

Thank you for the question, MP Gladu.

No, the government's position would be that the tax credit framework, which is what underpins your question of $595 million, does not constitute paying for promotional material.

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

I'm sure that would be the government's opinion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Ms. Gladu.

I shall go to Kevin.

[Kevin Waugh, Conservative, Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK]

Thanks, Madam Chair.

I'm looking at the National Post today. It says “There's no present like the present”. It's a Jack Daniel's ad on the front page of the National Post, along with several car ads.

We've brought this up in the past, and it's kind of interesting that now The Globe and Mail, the Toronto Star and the National Post, in particular, are selling ads on their front pages. I should also add that the Toronto Sun today has Leon's “breaking news”.

It's a concern for editorial people out there, but we also know that if the newspapers can sell an ad, they will. That's all I'll say.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Mr. Waugh.

Is there any further discussion?

Shall CPC-22 carry?

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

We are on amendment NDP-17.

Go ahead, Mr. Julian.

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

I'm pleased to announce, Madam Chair, that I'm withdrawing NDP-17 for the consideration we're going to have of BQ-4.