Canadian Heritage Committee on Dec. 9th, 2022

[Martin Champoux, Bloc, Drummond, QC]

Madam Chair, an annual audit report is provided for in section 86 of the bill, but it doesn't specify what will happen once the report is delivered to the CRTC by the independent auditor.

To make this more transparent and predictable, we suggest that the report be posted on the commission's website as soon as it is completed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Is there any further discussion?

Yes, Ms. Gladu.

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

Another amendment, NDP‑31, deals with the same line. I prefer that one. So I'm going to vote against amendment BQ‑7.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Is there any further discussion?

[The Clerk]

Yes, Dr. Fry. There's Mr. Julian and Mrs. Thomas.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes, Peter.

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

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I always appreciate Mr. Champoux's work. However, the words “immediately after it is prepared” leave things in limbo. Are we talking about a day, a week, a month? Therefore, I will vote against the amendment, even if I know the intentions behind it were good.

Amendment NDP‑31 actually proposes the following: “The Commission must publish the report on its website within 30 days after the day on which it receives it.” It sets a deadline, while also leaving enough time for the report to be published.

Therefore I will vote against BQ‑7 and in favour of NDP‑31.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Is there any further discussion?

[The Clerk]

Mrs. Thomas was after Mr. Julian.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Go ahead, Mrs. Thomas. I'm sorry.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

I was just seeking a point of clarification from the legislative clerk that if BQ-7 carries, then NDP-31 cannot be considered.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

I don't think so, but go ahead, Mr. Méla.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

Oh, I'm sorry. It's “after” line 36.

[Philippe Méla]

Yes.

[Rachael Thomas, Conservative, Lethbridge, AB]

My apologies.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Do we need to call a vote?

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

It is negatived on division.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

All right.

(Amendment negatived on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We are now on NDP-31.

Go ahead, Peter Julian.

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

Thank you very much, Madam Chair.

I have already spoken to this amendment. I don't have anything else to say about it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Is there any further discussion on this amendment?

[The Clerk]

Mr. Bittle has his hand up, Dr. Fry.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Go ahead, Chris.

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

Madam Chair, can the legislative clerk clarify whether there is a line conflict with G-9?

[Philippe Méla]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

No, there is not, because you're adding it after line 36. You can always add several.... It will be renumbered, if needed, at the reprint.

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

Thank you so much.