Show journalists some respect, too
By Christopher Guly
OTTAWA – Three days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau massaged his cabinet with a mini-shuffle, he released on Friday “supplementary” mandate letters to several ministers, including François-Philippe Champagne, who moved from heading up Global Affairs Canada as foreign affairs minister to succeeding Navdeep Bains as minister of innovation, science and industry.
The letters contain commitments drawn from both last year’s throne speech and the fall economic statement, and for Champagne, means that he is to continue building on Bains’ work with Rural Economic Development Minister Maryam Monsef to ensure that Canadians have access to high-speed internet through the Universal Broadband Fund. But as part of his expanded mandate, Champagne is now also to consider “the effective use and deployment of innovative technologies, such as low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites, to connect all Canadians.”
The new industry minister is to also support Steven Guilbeault “to ensure that the revenues of web giants are shared more fairly with our creators and media, and require them to contribute to the creation, production and distribution of our stories on screen, in lyrics, in music and in writing.”
Some of his new duties address the Covid-19 pandemic. One of Champagne’s tasks will be to collaborate with Health Minister Patty Hajdu and Digital Government Minister Joyce Murray to support the work of the Covid-19 Exposure Notification App Advisory Council.
The letter does not at all mention the wireless industry or wireless costs specifically.
Guilbeault’s initial mandate letter called on him to “create new regulations for social media platforms, starting with a requirement that all platforms remove illegal content, including hate speech, within 24 hours or face significant penalties. This should include other online harms such as radicalization, incitement to violence, exploitation of children, or creation or distribution of terrorist propaganda.”
He’s now to also work with Public Safety Minister Bill Blair and Justice Minister David Lametti “to take action on combating hate groups and online hate and harassment,” working alongside other cabinet colleagues, including Champagne.
The Heritage minister’s expanded tasks also include working with Champagne and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland to “introduce sector-specific measures” for industries hard-hit by the pandemic, including the art, cultural, heritage and sport sectors.
Digital minister Murray, meanwhile, is to “lead the implementation of generational investments to update and replace outdated IT systems and modernize the way government delivers benefits and services to Canadians.”
The new ministerial mandate letters, however, do not just add duties. Some tweaking of previous directives is present.
In December 2019, cabinet members were told in their letters that their “engagement” with Canada’s media “in a professional and timely manner [was] essential. The Parliamentary Press Gallery, indeed all journalists in Canada and abroad, ask necessary questions and contribute in an important way to the democratic process.”
The message delivered to them on Friday, against the backdrop of the pandemic, is that “now more than ever, Canadians are relying on journalists and journalism for accurate and timely news, especially in the face of a concerning spread of misinformation,” wrote Trudeau.
“I expect you to foster a professional and respectful relationship with journalists to ensure that Canadians have the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.”
Cartt.ca awaits word on an interview request with minister Champagne, on what he hopes to achieve in his new cabinet portfolio.
