441-00913 (Media and telecommunications)

The Government, and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, who is the Minister responsible for Bill C-11 (a revised version of the bill previously introduced in the 43^rd Parliament as C-10), would like to thank the petitioners for expressing their concerns regarding issues of freedom of expression and Internet censorship.

The Broadcasting Act is about promoting cultural expression, not inhibiting it. It ensures that Canadian cultural expression is fostered and promoted.

Canadians’ rights and freedoms under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms are of paramount importance. Freedom of expression is already safeguarded in section 2(3) of the Broadcasting Act.

The Broadcasting Act needs to reflect today’s digital reality. Canadian broadcasters and streaming services should play by the same rules. The Online Streaming Act (Bill C-11) will ensure that streaming services showcase Canadian music and stories, as well as support our creators and producers. Bill C-11 will also ensure that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has the proper tools to put in place a modern and flexible regulatory framework.

Bill C-11 clearly excludes users from being considered broadcasters in respect of the programs they post to a social media service. This means that the CRTC could not impose obligations on users of social media services. The ability of users to create online communities and to share information, ideas, personal messages and videos is not put into question by Bill C-11.

This law would not control what Canadians can or cannot see online. Canadians will always be able to choose what to listen to and to watch.

As it currently stands, Parliamentarians have proposed additional amendments to Bill C-11 to protect Canadians’ freedom of expression. The Government supports these amendments.