Official Languages Committee on Sept. 25th, 2025

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I will try to summarize the situation, and our clerk can help me if I am mistaken.

We are discussing the first part of the amendment presented by Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault, which aims to invite broadcasters such as Netflix or Amazon Prime. Mr. Godin's subamendment proposes instead to invite online broadcasters of French-language content. If the subamendment is adopted, this is how the first part of Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault's amendment would then be worded.

If we want to add what you are proposing, Ms. Chenette, we must first adopt Mr. Godin's subamendment and then propose a new subamendment. Another possibility would be to reject the subamendment and then adopt another one. Either way, we must follow the rules.

Mr. Godin, you have the floor.

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

Mr. Chair, I propose that you ask if there is unanimous consent to withdraw my subamendment so that Ms. Chenette can move hers.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Is it the will of the committee to withdraw the subamendment?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

(Subamendment withdrawn)

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Are there any other subamendments?

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

Mr. Chair, I move instead that we invite “online broadcasters with French-language content.”

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I will ask the clerk to read the first part of Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault's amendment as amended by Ms. Chenette's subamendment.

[The Clerk]

This part, as amended, would end with “online broadcasters with French-language content.”

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Does everyone agree with this subamendment?

(Subamendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We now return to the amended amendment.

Mr. Beaulieu, you have the floor.

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

I move another subamendment. I would like the committee to “hold up to two meetings,” because if additional stakeholders are added, it will be difficult to accommodate them all in a single meeting.

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

Are you proposing to include the words “up to two meetings” or “two meetings”?

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

We could add the words “two meetings,” but if we are able to have three, we will need to….

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

We should therefore write “at least two meetings,” because otherwise we won't be able to have three.

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

Agreed. I move that we write that the committee “hold at least two meetings.”

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I have consulted with the clerk. First, we need to decide what we want to do with the original amendment. Then, if you wish, you may move a subamendment.

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

I thought we had adopted it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

We adopted a subamendment. Now we are discussing the amendment as amended. I will ask the clerk to read back what is being proposed.

[The Clerk]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It has been moved that the committee hear at this meeting: (a) broadcasting companies such as Cogeco, Bell, RNC, and Leclerc Communication; (b) a representative from ADISQ, the Association québécoise de l'industrie du disque, du spectacle et de la vidéo; (c) online broadcasters with French-language content; and (d) broadcasters from the ARC, Alliance des radios communautaires du Canada.

Points (a) and (b) were already there, points (c) and (d) have been added.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Are we ready to adopt this amendment?

Is there unanimous consent to adopt Mr. Deschênes‑Thériault's amendment, as amended?

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

I now return to you, Mr. Beaulieu.

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

I move that we replace “one meeting” with “at least two meetings.”

Cogeco's proposal has a major impact. We should not reduce the quotas for French-language music, as they are already not being fully respected.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

Are there any comments or discussions on the amendment moved by Mr. Beaulieu?

Are you ready to give unanimous consent?

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

I have a flag to raise.

[The Chair, Liberal, Yvan Baker]

We should raise flags more often. The committee would be more effective.