Official Languages Committee on Sept. 25th, 2025

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

We agree with the motion and would simply like to add online broadcasters such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, among others, to the list of suggested witnesses, as well as a representative from the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada. I believe an email has been sent to the clerk with this proposed amendment. We believe this is an opportunity to broaden the discussion on the nature of online broadcasters’ obligations to provide French-language content. This is also a timely topic. Inviting the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada could broaden the discussion to include the entire country, since this organization represents community radio stations from coast to coast.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Dalton has the floor.

[Marc Dalton, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge, BC]

I don’t understand how the amendment can control the percentage of French-language music online. People can choose what they listen to. It’s a bit confusing.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Mr. Beaulieu has the floor.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

The fact that a French-language broadcaster in Quebec is asking to reduce the quota for French-language music demonstrates the urgency of the situation.

I am in favour of the proposal, but I did not quite understand: Would this involve inviting representatives from Netflix, among others?

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

You’re right, there is a little confusion.

We propose inviting online broadcasters to talk about their French-language content. It’s not necessarily a question of quotas for French-language songs, but rather of obligations to produce and broadcast French-language content. That’s the idea behind the amendment. If the committee agrees, I would simply propose inviting online broadcasters to talk specifically about their French-language content, not necessarily French-language songs.

[Mario Beaulieu, Bloc, La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC]

In that case, I would propose a subamendment to indicate that the committee will hold “at least one meeting” on the issue. Indeed, if we invite several guests, at least one meeting would be necessary.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Before continuing, since Mr. Godin reminded me earlier that there are rules to follow, I would like to ask Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault to clarify his amendment.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

Basically, the proposed amendment mentioned online broadcasters such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, among others, and we also proposed inviting a representative from the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada. I propose clarifying that we would invite online broadcasters such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, among others, to talk to us about “their French-language content.”

I’m thinking out loud, but I think Mr. Godin has a suggestion I’d like to hear.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I would just like to clarify that we are now discussing the amendment only.

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

I think Mr. Godin wants to propose a better wording for my amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Very well.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Chair, I do think it is unnecessary to consult broadcasters who are not necessarily concerned. I think that by replacing the reference to Netflix and others with “online broadcasters of French-language content,” we would eliminate those who are not involved in this issue.

This is a relevant request, because the objective of this mini-study is to find possible solutions and work with people and artisans to see how we can further promote the French language. I am comfortable with that.

I therefore move my subamendment, which would allow for broader application.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Since we must follow procedure and the rules, I would like to ask the clerk if everything is clear to her regarding the initial amendment proposed by Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault.

[The Clerk]

Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault, I would like to clarify something.

If I understand correctly, your initial amendment proposed inviting online broadcasters such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, among others. Mr. Godin’s subamendment consists of removing this reference to Netflix and Amazon Prime and instead inviting “online broadcasters of French-language content.”

Could you repeat the second part of your initial amendment?

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

I suggested we invite a representative of the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Right now, we are only discussing Mr. Godin’s subamendment.

Mr. Godin, you have the floor.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

In fact, Mr. Chair, my colleague from the Bloc Québécois has a very pertinent comment: “a representative of the Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada that broadcasts French-language content.”

[Guillaume Deschênes-Thériault, Liberal, Madawaska—Restigouche, NB]

We do not need to add this clarification, as the alliance’s members are francophones in a minority situation. It is a francophone organization. The Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada has been managing community radio stations in French-speaking communities in Canada since the 1990s.

However, with regard to the subamendment proposed by Mr. Godin, I would suggest that we proceed by….

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

That’s because—

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Ms. Chenette, I will give you the floor in a minute, but, once again, we must follow the proper process.

I would like to ask the clerk to explain where we are at this point. We had an amendment and a subamendment, and I believe we need to consider the subamendment at this time.

[The Clerk]

At this time, the Standing Committee on Official Languages must vote on Mr. Godin’s subamendment, which seeks to replace the reference to online broadcasters such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, among others, with a reference to online broadcasters of French-language content.

Then we will return to Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault’s amendment, amended or not, depending on the committee’s decision. After that, there may be other subamendments.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I therefore propose that we dispose of this subamendment by adopting it or not. If members wish to propose further subamendments afterwards, they may do so.

Ms. Chenette, you have the floor.

[Madeleine Chenette, Liberal, Thérèse-De Blainville, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair. I didn’t know it was a subamendment. I’m learning something new.

Mr. Godin, I would just like to clarify the concept of “online broadcasters of French-language content.” Does this refer only to broadcasters that air exclusively French-language content? Would it be better to refer to online broadcasters that offer French-language content, as is the case with Cogeco?

I don’t know if you can amend your subamendment.

[Joël Godin, Conservative, Portneuf—Jacques-Cartier, QC]

Mr. Chair, that is exactly what I meant. I would like to amend my subamendment as suggested by Ms. Chenette, because it is very important to make that distinction. It will be up to the parties to decide which witnesses they want to hear.