moved for leave to introduce Bill C-300, an act to amend the Broadcasting Act (broadcasting policy).
Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to introduce this bill to amend the Broadcasting Act.
In recent weeks Canadians have made it clear that they dislike intensely the policy of the CRTC in allowing cable companies to demand payment for channels which they have not ordered or authorized. The CRTC in return has said that this is a necessary evil of introducing new channels.
The bill that I have introduced today will amend the broadcast policy section of the Broadcasting Act to ensure that the CRTC no longer has any discretion in terms of necessary evils such as negative option billing. This will limit the control of cable companies over their customers, something about which Canadians have expressed strong opinions.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)