Mr. Speaker, today is UN Universal Children's Day. On such a day it is a sad comment that Focus on the Family, an organization devoted to children and Christian family values, was censured earlier this year by the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.
The CBSC condemned Focus on the Family and has been the witness, prosecutor, judge and jury.
I understood that all Canadians had the right to freedom of religion, freedom of thought and expression, freedom of the press and communications. I ask the government has this changed?
The CBSC listened to one complaint, made no attempt to contact the source of the broadcast and ruled against radio station CKRD.
There was no opportunity for the presentation of supporting documents, opposing views, appeal or even notification of the decision.
Clearly the broadcast industry's self-regulation process leaves much to be desired. This judgment is biased and, contrary to the values of millions of Canadians, this method does not work. Justice has not been served. The CRTC has entrusted the broadcast council with a self-regulating procedure, but the process is flawed.