QUESTION PERIOD — Ministry of Canadian Heritage
Advertising for Sports Betting
September 25, 2025
Welcome, minister.
My first question follows up on Senator Downe’s question about Bill S-211, which seeks to regulate online sports betting advertising. This matter now falls within your department’s purview. This is a senator’s bill, but the immediate consequences of the expansion of online sports betting point to a need for much stricter rules.
We know that private senators’ bills take a while to be studied, then they go to the House, where they’re likely to die on the Order Paper. Considering how important and urgent this matter is, would you be open to having your department study this bill and to having the government take steps to implement solutions faster?
I’m always willing to discuss measures to better protect Canadians. We see this particularly in the case of online gambling for young people. It is a complex issue. Certain things are protected by Canadian law. For example, tobacco, vaping and drugs are regulated by Health Canada. Some of your colleagues mentioned the CRTC. We are trying to determine the best way to do this. I am open to discussions with you and your colleagues on this matter, to ensure that Canadian Heritage is the best possible vehicle to move forward on this kind of issue.
