THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORT AND COMMUNICATIONS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Tuesday, April 25, 2023
(50)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met this day at 9 a.m., in room B45, Senate of Canada Building, the chair, the Honourable Leo Housakos, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Cardozo, Clement, Cormier, Dasko, Harder, P.C., Housakos, Miville-Dechêne, Quinn and Wallin (9).

Participating in the meeting: Khamla Heminthavong and Jed Chong, analysts, Library of Parliament.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, the committee began its examination of Bill C-18, An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Heritage:

Thomas Owen Ripley, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Cultural Affairs;

Joelle Paré, Acting Director, Marketplace and Legislative Policy.

Global Affairs Canada:

Isabelle Ranger, Director, Services Trade.

Digital Content Next:

Chris Pedigo, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs.

As individuals:

Jean-Hugues Roy, Journalist and Professor, School of Media, University of Quebec in Montreal (by videoconference);

Konrad von Finckenstein, former Chair, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Thomas Owen Ripley made a statement and, together with Isabelle Ranger, answered questions.

At 10:04 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:10 a.m., the committee resumed.

Chris Pedigo, Jean-Hugues Roy and Konrad von Finckenstein each made a statement and answered questions.

At 11:04 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Vincent Labrosse

Clerk of the Committee