Rodriguez slams Tories for misinformation on Online Streaming Act

Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez attacked the opposition for spreading misinformation about the provisions of Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. The minister appeared before the House of Commons Committee on Canadian Heritage on Monday after an earlier appearance was delayed by partisan bickering. “I’m concerned about the misinformation from some members, not all, Conservative members about this bill,” he said according to simultaneous translation. “And they create a parallel debate about things that don’t exist in this bill. That is what worries me.” Rodriguez spent an hour before the Parliamentarians in a session that got heated at times. Conservative MP Rachael Thomas frequently berated the minister, repeatedly asking him what was the threshold of revenue that streamers must hit in order to contribute to the Canadian broadcasting sector. “You’ve probably asked the same question about eight times, like you filibustered last week,” he snapped as Thomas talked over him. “It’s not going to get you an answer.” He decried the Alberta MP’s “personal attack” on him while questioning him. His Parliamentary Secretary Chris Bittle responded with a point of order on Thomas’s behaviour. The minister estimated that upwards of $1 billion will be generated in revenues for Canadian broadcasting. When Tory Kevin Waugh, a former broadcaster himself, asked where that figure came from, Owen Ripley, associate assistant deputy minister of the department, said it was a revised number, up from $830 million. Increased use of streaming during the COVID-19 pandemic and the arrival of new entrants like the Walt Disney Company and Apple Inc. into the market boosted those numbers, he said. Waugh asked Rodriguez if he would release the policy directive to the CRTC regarding C-11. The minister replied that he would wait until the legislation receives Royal Assent before doing so. The commission may be asked to revise the Canadian content regulations to modernize them, he hinted. He disputed Thomas’s claim that the regulator would be investigating user content. “Could you imagine the CRTC looking at millions, billions of user content in a year? It’s impossible.” he stated. Streaming platforms have testified that much of their Canadian-centric content does not qualify as CanCon under current rules. Rodriguez said just as traditional broadcasters have obligations, so will streamers. He appreciates their efforts to date but wondered if more could be done. He said the bill will apply to large commercial streamers and platforms that occasionally venture into commercial broadcasting such as Alphabet Inc.’s YouTube. Content creators will not be subject to the bill. “Platforms in, users out,” he said. Bittle later moved a motion to go to clause-by-clause study of the bill. Thomas then moved an amendment calling for the study to come after the committee heard from the Minister of Amateur Sport over alleged sexual assaults by junior hockey players and Hockey Canada’s role in the investigation. New Democrat Peter Julian made a subamendment, changing “after” to “before”. The Conservatives talked out the motions for the next hour. Vice-chair John Nater, who was presiding over the session, agreed to dismiss Ripley, Awad and Sabbagh. Earlier Monday, Nater issued a news release saying the Conservatives would make four amendments to the bill. They call for the removal of section 4.2 which defines content; a clear definition of discoverability; a financial cap on the size of businesses the legislation applies to; and a requirement to update the CanCon definitions. The Tories also want the CRTC policy directive released immediately. Tuesday before cabinet, Rodriguez lambasted the Tories for their Parliamentary antics. “I was at the committee last week, sat there for an hour and a quarter, and MP Rachael Thomas, filibustered for 50 minutes that she spoke while I was there. I left without speaking. They started filibustering again yesterday. I think it's a lack of respect for democratic institutions and for the cultural community,” he said according to a translated transcription. –Reporting by Paul Park at ppark@thewirereport.ca and editing by Jenna Cocullo at jcocullo@thewirereport.ca

Rodriguez slams Tories for misinformation on Online Streaming Act

Broadcast | June 7, 2022

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

Rodriguez slams Tories for misinformation on Online Streaming Act

Broadcast | June 7, 2022

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Related Stories

Social media platforms want total exclusion from new broadcasting regime

Change financial threshold for Online Streaming Act exemptions, CRTC told

CRTC seeking comment on C-11 consult deadline extension request

Public interest groups call for more time on C-11 consults

Reuse & Permissions

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us