Health committee  CRTC asked for the revisions you're referring to in 1991, because there had been a number of problems with compliance with the code. The commission had looked at the code and asked for certain revisions. As Mr. Carmel said, we can provide the documentation to you. As it turns out, there was a provision in the code that was not clear—I just don't know it off the top of my head—which was the cause of the non-compliance problems.

Health committee  It was a technical issue concerning the duration of the ad; it wasn't clear. So that was the revision made to the code. It was an example of the commission having seen that there might be some problems with the code or the compliance of broadcasters in adhering to the code. We brought it to the attention of the Association of Canadian Broadcasters and Advertising Standards Canada to make revisions for the commission to review.

Health committee  That's true. It's true if it's originating from a U.S. station or a station from another country. That's right.

Health committee  From the regulation of the CRTC, we do regulate all broadcasting licensees in Canada. That's all television and radio broadcasters to whom we grant a licence who are operating in Canada. That includes--

Health committee  Yes, those that originate in Canada, and that's the key there. We do not have jurisdiction over the content of stations that are originating in the U.S. or in other countries. However, regarding the Canadian broadcasters, it's important to understand that all the content they broadcast they are responsible for.

Health committee  The commission does not currently regulate online. It looked at online, at the Internet, in 1999 to determine whether the commission had a role in regulating it, and the commission determined at that time to exempt broadcasting activities on the Internet. The reason for that is really twofold.

Health committee  Thank you. Good afternoon. My name is Martine Vallee. I am director of English pay, specialty, and social policy at the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission. I'm here today with Denis Carmel, who is director of public affairs at the commission. Also here in the room is Scott Hutton, associate executive director of broadcasting, and Jane Britten, manager of social policy in broadcasting.