Category: CRTC

Sen. David Richards: Bill C-11 Takes Us Into the Very Realms We Have Fought to Depose Over the Last 70 Years

Commentary The following speech on Bill C-11 was given by the Hon. David Adams Richards in the Senate on Jan. 31, 2023. Honourable colleagues, There is a certain essay by Cicero called “The Second Philippic” which was written to expose the power of the state against freedom of speech and freedom of thought—and the power…


Peter Menzies: ‘A Horrid Thing’: Sen. Richards’ Withering Rebuke of Bill C-11

Commentary Canada’s first wave of internet speech regulation was poised to pass in the Senate this week but not before it was rhetorically demolished by one of the nation’s leading authors. “The idea of any hierarchical politico deciding what a man or woman is allowed to write to fit a proscribed national agenda is a…


Senators Begin Amending Proposed Online Streaming Act Aimed at Regulating the Internet

A Senate committee is rewriting Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act proposed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government, after it passed third reading in the House of Commons in June. The Senate has been petitioned by multiple large corporations to amend the bill, including YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. The Standing Senate Committee on Transport…


Bill C-11 Raising Serious Doubts About CRTC’s Independence From Feds

News Analysis A bill to ostensibly protect and promote Canadian online content has long been under fire for becoming a potential government censorship tool. Amid mounting criticism, another issue being raised with the proposed legislation is the broadcast regulator’s perceived lack of independence from cabinet.  “[Bill] C-11 turns basically an independent, arm’s-length, respected regulator into…


Cory Morgan: Canada’s Push to Control Movement of Information on the Internet a Dangerous Path to Travel Down

Commentary We are living in an age where common citizens have access to information and the ability to communicate like never before. Individuals are empowered in ways that would have been unimaginable only a few decades ago. A person can research a subject, make their conclusions, and share those ideas with thousands or even millions…


Peter Menzies: How Bill C-11 Could Open the Door to State-Controlled Media

Commentary Justin Trudeau’s government is seizing control of the internet and granting itself sweeping new powers that turn its communications regulator into a political puppet. By now a lot of Canadians have heard of the controversial Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11) which defines the internet as broadcasting and puts it under the control of the…


While Overseas, Trudeau, Mendicino Emphasize Combating ‘Disinformation’

During their overseas trips this week, both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Federal Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino put a spotlight on the issue of “disinformation,” emphasizing Canada’s focus on the issue on the international stage. Mendicino tweeted Nov. 19 that Canada will host a summit for other G7 countries next year to combat “disinformation,”…


Rogers, Shaw Merger Will Hurt Low-Income Canadians the Most, Tribunal Hears

An economics professor says the big winners of Rogers Communications Inc.’s $26-billion proposed takeover of Shaw Communications Inc. would be the telecoms’ families and that low–income Canadians would be hit the hardest. Speaking before the Competition Tribunal Friday, Dalhousie University’s Lars Osberg said low–income Canadians, who are already facing inflationary pressures, will feel the most pain if…


CRTC Chair Says Online Streaming Bill Won’t Police User-Generated Content, Algorithms

The chair of Canada’s broadcasting regulator says a controversial online streaming bill will not result in the policing of user-generated content or the mandating of specific algorithms on platforms. Ian Scott told the Senate committee studying the bill on Wednesday that his previous comments about the federal Liberals’ controversial online streaming legislation, Bill C-11, were…


CRTC Head Is Confident About Managing Online News Bill Despite ‘Challenges’ Ahead

The chair of Canada’s broadcasting regulator says there will be challenges along the way but the body is well equipped to iron out the details of a bill that seeks to regulate online news. Ian Scott, head of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, told a House committee that he has already sought input from…