Evidence of meeting #60 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 chair.
A video is available from Parliament.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
9:35 a.m.
NDP
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Mr. Julian.
(Amendment negatived: nays 10; yeas 1)
NDP-28 is defeated. Now we go to G-6.
I would like to suggest that this amendment seeks to add a new section, which is 53.1, to the bill—
9:35 a.m.
Legislative Clerk
Madam Chair, I'm sorry. This is the legislative clerk speaking. I just wanted to point out that since CPC-23 was defeated, the ruling does not need to be addressed.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
All right. Therefore, G-6 is admissible.
Now, is there any discussion on G-6?
Go ahead, Chris.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Thank you so much, Madam Chair.
The amendment clarifies that if CBC is eligible, they will have to publish a report on where the money is going. We've already had a lengthy debate on CBC's eligibility, but we need to recognize that there should be unique requirements because they are a Crown corporation. That requires that they have certain reporting requirements under the act that other organizations won't have.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Marilyn Gladu Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON
Thank you, Chair.
I think we've been clear. We don't think CBC, which is getting billions of dollars already from the government, should be a part of this framework in Bill C-18. This will certainly not help the small media organizations that we're trying to help. It would give CBC the lion's share of the money, so I will be voting against this.
9:35 a.m.
The Clerk
Mr. Waugh has his hand up, Dr. Fry.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Kevin Waugh Conservative Saskatoon—Grasswood, SK
Madam Chair, I echo what Ms. Gladu said.
I will say this. I did find the PBO numbers and the department numbers interesting this week. There was quite a discrepancy on dollars, so thank you to the department. It will be interesting to see who's right: the PBO or the department. I'm just going to throw that out there for reconsideration months later.
9:35 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you, Mr. Waugh.
Shall G-6 carry?
(Amendment agreed to on division [See Minutes of Proceedings])
Now I'm going to call the question on clauses 54 to 67, which have not been amended. I'm seeking unanimous consent for us to allow those clauses to stand.
(Clauses 54 to 67 inclusive agreed to on division)
(On clause 68)
I will go to clause 68, which is CPC-28.
That's Mrs. Thomas.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
All right. The way this legislation is drafted, the current clause basically insinuates guilty until proven innocent, which is not in accordance with Canadian law or our justice system and the way that it functions.
This is simply looking to reverse that to where an entity is considered innocent until proven guilty. Again, we believe that is what makes for a strong justice system in this country.
9:40 a.m.
The Clerk
Mr. Bittle has his hand up.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
Chris Bittle Liberal St. Catharines, ON
Very quickly, Madam Chair, the CRTC is a regulator, not a prosecutor. They rule on complaints; they don't make them.
I'll be opposed to this amendment.
9:40 a.m.
The Clerk
Mrs. Thomas has her hand up.
9:40 a.m.
Conservative
Rachael Thomas Conservative Lethbridge, AB
Thank you.
I appreciate Mr. Bittle's interjection. I think we're all aware that they're not a prosecutor. That's beyond the point.
This puts the burden of proof in clause 51 on the CRTC rather than on the accused DNI, which is appropriate. The accused should not have to prove their innocence. Instead, the accuser should be responsible for proving guilt.
Again, that's how our justice system works in this country. I would plead with the government to uphold that justice system. It has served us well for over 150 years.
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Is there any further discussion?
(Amendment negatived: nays 7; yeas 4 [See Minutes of Proceedings])
(Clause 68 agreed to on division)
9:40 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Now, there are no amendments to clauses 69 to 83. Shall clauses 69 to 83 carry?
(Clauses to 69 to 83 inclusive agreed to on division)
(On clause 84)
On clause 84, we have G-7. If G-7 is adopted, NDP-29 cannot be moved due to a line conflict.
Is there any discussion on G-7?
9:40 a.m.
The Clerk
Mr. Bittle has his hand up.
