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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
 
Meeting No. 17
 
Thursday, May 13, 2004
 

The Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology met at 11:02 a.m. this day, in Room 308 West Block, the Chair, Brent St. Denis, presiding.

 

Members of the Committee present: Gérard Binet, Paul Crête, Hon. Joe Fontana, James Rajotte, Andy Savoy and Brent St. Denis.

 

Acting Members present: Carole-Marie Allard for Hon. Herb Dhaliwal, Pat O'Brien for Hon. David Collenette, Massimo Pacetti for Hon. Lyle Vanclief and Diane St-Jacques for Marlene Jennings.

 

In attendance: Library of Parliament: Lalita Acharya, Analyst; Sam Banks, Analyst.

 

Witnesses: Department of Industry: Michael M. Binder, Assistant Deputy Minister, Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications; Jan Skora, Director General, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulatory Branch; John Cuningham, Counsel, Legal Services. Department of Canadian Heritage: René Bouchard, Director General, Broadcasting Policy and Innovation. Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission: Jacques Langlois, Director General, Broadcasting Policy Group; Marc O'Sullivan, Executive Director, Broadcasting Directorate. Royal Canadian Mounted Police: Ken Hansen, Superintendent, Director, Federal Enforcement Branch. Canada Border Services Agency: Craig Turner, Director, Border Compliance and Monitoring Division.

 
Pursuant to the Order of Reference of Tuesday, February 17, 2004, the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act.
 

The witnesses answered questions.

 
At 11:11 a.m., the Committee proceeded to the consideration of matters related to Committee business.
 

The Committee proceeded to the consideration of the notice of motion of Joe Fontana.

 

Joe Fontana moved, — That the Committee believes that a two-phased approach is required to address the black market and the grey market that provides for more enforcement along with more choice for consumers.

Accordingly the Committee recommends that the Ministers of Industry and Canadian Heritage strike a small Review Panel for public consultations to research and provide recommendations on how to increase competition and choice in terms of new services while still supporting the fundamental objectives of the Broadcasting Act.

Recognizing that some Canadians find it necessary to access programming through the grey market the Panel's recommendations should include ways to ensure that more popular foreign and third language services are available within the Canadian broadcasting system.

The Panel should provide a report by the Fall of 2004.

Debate arose thereon.

 

James Rajotte moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after paragraph 3 the following:

“In the event that significantly more foreign and third-language services cannot be profitably distributed within the Canadian broadcasting system, this Panel should research and provide recommendations on the advisability of legalizing the grey market.”.

 

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of James Rajotte and it was negatived.

 

Carole-Marie Allard moved, — That the motion be amended in paragraph 2 by deleting the words “while still supporting the fundamental objectives of the Broadcasting Act.”.

 

After debate, by unanimous consent, the amendment was withdrawn.

 

Paul Crête moved, — That the motion be amended by

(a) adding in paragraph 2, after the words “Broadcasting Act” the following:

“, including protecting the interests of Canadian industry, and the Canadian Multiculturalism Act.”

(b) adding, in paragraph 4, after the words “Fall of 2004” the following:

“to the two Ministers, and to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage”.

 

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Paul Crête and it was agreed to.

 

Paul Crête moved, — That the motion be amended in paragraph 3, by adding after the words “the Canadian broadcasting system” the following:

“if they are not available presently on the Canadian broadcasting system”.

 

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Paul Crête and it was negatived.

 

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

 

On motion of Joe Fontana, it was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to write, on behalf of the Committee, to the Minister of Industry and to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, informing them of the motion agreed to by the Committee on Thursday, May 13, 2004, concerning the establishment of a Review Panel on Increased Choice and Diversity.

 

At 12:05 p.m., the Committee resumed consideration of Bill C-2, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

 

At 12:42 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.

 



Louise M. Thibault
Clerk of the Committee

 
 
2004/05/20 11:29 a.m.