A commentary on what our PM could have said in response
By Denis Carmel
Dear Mr. O’Brien,
THANK YOU FOR providing your opinion on how to deal with a Bill to Modernize the Broadcasting Act.
One of the main perks of my job is all the free advice I get all the time, all the time.
You will appreciate that part of the way forward I cannot control nor predict but let me share as candidly as I can my thoughts at this venture.
I am inclined to appoint someone new to serve as Minister of Canadian Heritage. Steven Guilbeault did serve with passion in this portfolio, but you and I have noted that he seems to be even more passionate about saving the planet, which is both more rewarding and probably easier.
But rest assured, delivering on passing a new Broadcasting Act will be at the top of the new minister’s mandate letter as well as passing legislation that would require digital platforms that generate revenues from the publication of news content to share a portion of their revenues with Canadian news outlets, following the Australian model, and combating serious forms of harmful online content.
But even though a new minister will more than likely want to look at the new legislation, I am still firmly committed to introduce such a text within 100 days. Although, this seems quick, I am told that the department has been looking at the legislation that was tabled in November 2020, with a view to improve it. In the spring, a new deputy-minister and a new assistant deputy-minister were appointed, and they took on that task and they will probably learn from the mistakes that were made.
You are right, the legislation could have been clearer and significant changes made in the middle of clause-by-clause consideration were not conducive to a clear understanding from all parties, which impeded its passage.
My government now has to ensure this legislation is a top priority to ensure quick passage. The next government House leader will have a clear mandate. Mr. Rodriguez is a fine minister, but he had conflicting priorities in the last session: being the Québec Lieutenant on the eve of an election when my party placed high hopes in some key ridings in the province to get a majority in the House of Commons, probably distracted him from his parliamentary duty. Mr. Naqvi, freshly elected in Ottawa-Centre seems like a good choice for such a role.
In terms of who could become Minister of Canadian Heritage, Pascale St-Onge, the past president of the Fédération nationale des communications et de la culture (FNCC-CSN), who narrowly won a very tight race in her riding of Brome-Missisquoi, would appear to be a good choice. However, when you have such a talented pool of MPs who have been waiting for 6 years, it might be a good idea for her to learn the ropes, maybe as a parliamentary secretary, which plays a key role in the Committee portion of the process.
The previous Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Montreal-born Julie Dabrusin, could accede to Cabinet where a woman of her caliber could contribute significantly. Her experience in matters of Copyright is also an asset.
Another name being mentioned is Randy Boissonneault, who had been Parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Canadian Heritage in 2015 but was defeated in 2019. A Franco-Albertan member of the LBGTQ community, he could represent Alberta at the Cabinet table.
Scott Simms will be greatly missed as a Parliamentarian, especially as chair of the Heritage Committee, but there is enough bench strength to find a person who is both knowledgeable and collegial for that position – Anthony Housefather comes to mind.
In terms of the content of the legislation, a prime minister is always advised to stay away from getting down in the rabbit holes in such arcane legislation, but I take your point about the necessity of asking the CRTC to make the many critical decisions required. It is public policy, not regulatory policy and it puzzles me that the Department would abdicate that responsibility, in a town where departments traditionally fight to gain more responsibilities.
And, to quote one of my informal advisors, it is a good thing the CRTC is at arm’s length since so many in government would like to put their hands around its neck.
I am not delusional, no broadcasting legislation will be met with unanimity, but I will require the next effort to be forward-looking, not a simple replica of the old Act, as is often the case: Think outside the Juke Box.
Mr. O’Brien, you mentioned in your letter not to run the same flag up the next poll, which reminds me that we should end the period of half-mast currently in place… I have to think of everything.
In conclusion, the new version of the Act should show that some lessons were heard from the previous effort and hopefully its passage will garner less drama.
Sincerely,
“Justin”
