PIAC decries Quebec’s “unconstitutional” web-blocking legislation

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)...