OTTAWA – Quebec’s new web-blocking legislation is not only unconstitutional, it directly conflicts with the Telecommunications Act, says the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC).
In a Part 1 application to the CRTC dated July 8, 2016, the consumer organization said that Bill 74, which requires Quebec-based Internet service providers to block certain gambling websites, “frustrates the Canadian telecommunications policy objectives expressed in s. 7 of the Telecommunications Act. Bill 74 also presents a compliance challenge to ISPs operating in Québec. Finally, Bill 74 threatens constitutionally-protected free speech.”
PIAC is calling on the CRTC to declare Bill 74 unconstitutional, ultra vires (beyond the powers) of the Province of Québec and a violation of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. It also asks the Commission to issue an interim injunction to all ISPs and WSPs operating in Quebec enjoining them from blocking online gaming websites, and from taking any steps precedent to blocking the sites.
“PIAC urges the Commission to take action on this application and to expeditiously decide the issues”, continues the application. “PIAC views the purported Québec law as destabilizing of the telecommunications regulatory sphere and is concerned about the consequences of internet censorship in pursuance of other regulatory goals.”
