QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council Office
Progress of Legislation
June 13, 2024
Senator Gold, the CRTC has announced that it is delaying the implementation of Bill C-11, An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act, by at least a year. It will not be implemented until the end of 2025, after the next election. I’m concerned about this major delay because it was hope that this bill would make French-language content more discoverable on streaming platforms like Spotify. For years, a whole generation of young Quebeckers and francophones have been listening to less and less music in their own language, and so they have less contact with their culture. Could we pick up the pace a bit?
Thank you for your question. The government’s goal with the Online Streaming Act is to ensure that Canadians see themselves and their identity reflected in the movies, television shows and music that they consume on streaming platforms and to ensure that artists are compensated for their work. This is a very important piece of legislation that we studied in depth in this chamber.
As for your question, honourable senator, the CRTC is an administrative tribunal operating at arm’s length from the federal government, and I am unable to respond on its behalf.
That’s precisely why I have this follow-up question. Speaking of picking up the pace, the Minister of Justice has refused to commit to ensuring that the new commission created under Bill C-63 to limit online harm against children is in place before the next election. On this issue too, we are already way behind countries like Australia and Great Britain. I see this as an urgent matter. What do you think?
Thank you for your question. This is certainly a serious problem, and that’s why the government is taking action. I understand that Bill C-63 is currently at second reading in the other place and, like many of you, I look forward to reviewing this important piece of legislation as soon as it arrives here.
