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Bill C-10

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Second Session, Forty-third Parliament,

69 Elizabeth II, 2020

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

BILL C-10
An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts

FIRST READING, November 3, 2020

MINISTER OF CANADIAN HERITAGE

90961


SUMMARY

This enactment amends the Broadcasting Act to, among other things,

(a)add online undertakings — undertakings for the transmission or retransmission of programs over the Internet — as a distinct class of broadcasting undertakings;

(b)update the broadcasting policy for Canada set out in section 3 of that Act by, among other things, providing that the Canadian broadcasting system should serve the needs and interests of all Canadians — including Canadians from racialized communities and Canadians of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds — and should provide opportunities for Indigenous persons, programming that reflects Indigenous cultures and that is in Indigenous languages, and programming that is accessible without barriers to persons with disabilities;

(c)specify that the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (the “Commission”) must regulate and supervise the Canadian broadcasting system in a manner that

(i)takes into account the different characteristics of Indigenous language broadcasting and the different conditions under which broadcasting undertakings that provide Indigenous language programming operate,

(ii)is fair and equitable as between broadcasting undertakings providing similar services,

(iii)facilitates the provision of programs that are accessible without barriers to persons with disabilities, and

(iv)takes into account the variety of broadcasting undertakings to which that Act applies and avoids imposing obligations on a class of broadcasting undertakings if doing so will not contribute in a material manner to the implementation of the broadcasting policy;

(d)amend the procedure relating to the issuance by the Governor in Council of policy directions to the Commission;

(e)replace the Commission’s power to impose conditions on a licence with a power to make orders imposing conditions on the carrying on of broadcasting undertakings;

(f)provide the Commission with the power to require that persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings make expenditures to support the Canadian broadcasting system;

(g)authorize the Commission to provide information to the Minister responsible for that Act, the Chief Statistician of Canada and the Commissioner of Competition, and set out in that Act a process by which a person who submits certain types of information to the Commission may designate the information as confidential;

(h)amend the procedure by which the Governor in Council may, under section 28 of that Act, set aside a decision of the Commission to issue, amend or renew a licence or refer such a decision back to the Commission for reconsideration and hearing;

(i)specify that a person shall not carry on a broadcasting undertaking, other than an online undertaking, unless they do so in accordance with a licence or they are exempt from the requirement to hold a licence;

(j)harmonize the punishments for offences under Part II of that Act and clarify that a due diligence defence applies to the existing offences set out in that Act; and

(k)allow for the imposition of administrative monetary penalties for violations of certain provisions of that Act or of the Accessible Canada Act.

The enactment also makes related and consequential amendments to other Acts.

Available on the House of Commons website at the following address:
www.ourcommons.ca


2nd Session, 43rd Parliament,

69 Elizabeth II, 2020

HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA

BILL C-10

An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1991, c. 11

Broadcasting Act

1(1)The definitions broadcasting, broadcasting undertaking, distribution undertaking, network and programming undertaking in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act are respectively replaced by the following:

broadcasting means any transmission of programs — Insertion start regardless of Insertion end whether Insertion start the transmission is scheduled or on demand Insertion end or Insertion start whether the Insertion end programs Insertion start are Insertion end encrypted or not — by radio waves or other means of telecommunication for reception by the public by means of broadcasting receiving apparatus, but does not include any such transmission of programs that is made solely for performance or display in a public place; (radiodiffusion)

broadcasting undertaking includes a distribution undertaking, Insertion start an online undertaking Insertion end , a programming undertaking and a network; (entreprise de radiodiffusion)

distribution undertaking means an undertaking for the reception of broadcasting and Insertion start its Insertion end retransmission by radio waves or other means of telecommunication to more than one permanent or temporary residence or dwelling unit or to another such undertaking, Insertion start but does not include such an undertaking that is an online undertaking Insertion end ; (entreprise de distribution)

network includes any operation where control over all or any part of the programs or program schedules of one or more broadcasting undertakings is delegated to another undertaking or person, Insertion start but does not include such an operation that is an online undertaking Insertion end ; (réseau)

programming undertaking means an undertaking for the transmission of programs, either directly by radio waves or other means of telecommunication or indirectly through a distribution undertaking, for reception by the public by means of broadcasting receiving apparatus, Insertion start but does not include such an undertaking that is an online undertaking Insertion end ; (entreprise de programmation)

(2)Subsection 2(1) of the Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:

Start of inserted block

affiliate, in relation to any person, means any other person who controls that first person, or who is controlled by that first person or by a third person who also controls the first person; (affilié)

barrier has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Accessible Canada Act; (obstacle)

control, in the definition affiliate and in subparagraph 9.‍1(1)‍(i)‍(i), includes control in fact, whether or not through one or more persons; (contrôle)

online undertaking means an undertaking for the transmission or retransmission of programs over the Internet for reception by the public by means of broadcasting receiving apparatus; (entreprise en ligne)

programming control means control over the selection of programs for transmission, but does not include control over the selection of a programming service for retransmission; (contrôle de la programmation)

End of inserted block

(3)Section 2 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (2):

Exclusion — carrying on broadcasting undertaking

Start of inserted block

(2.‍1)A person who uses a social media service to upload programs for transmission over the Internet and reception by other users of the service — and who is not the provider of the service or the provider’s affiliate, or the agent or mandatary of either of them — does not, by the fact of that use, carry on a broadcasting undertaking for the purposes of this Act.

End of inserted block

2(1)Paragraph 3(1)‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • Start of inserted block

    (a)each broadcasting undertaking shall contribute to the implementation of the objectives of the broadcasting policy set out in this subsection in a manner that is appropriate in consideration of the nature of the services provided by the undertaking;

    End of inserted block

(2)Subparagraphs 3(1)‍(d)‍(ii) and (iii) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (ii)encourage the development of Canadian expression by providing a wide range of programming that reflects Canadian attitudes, opinions, ideas, values and artistic creativity and by displaying Canadian talent in entertainment and information programming,

  • (iii)through its programming and the employment opportunities arising out of its operations, serve the needs and interests of Insertion start all Canadians — including Canadians from racialized communities and Canadians of diverse ethnocultural backgrounds, socio-economic statuses, abilities and disabilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and ages Insertion end — and reflect their circumstances and aspirations, including equal rights, the linguistic duality and multicultural and multiracial nature of Canadian society and the special place of Insertion start Indigenous Insertion end peoples within that society,

  • Start of inserted block

    (iii.‍1)provide opportunities to Indigenous persons to produce programming in Indigenous languages, English or French, or in any combination of them, and to carry on broadcasting undertakings, and

    End of inserted block

(3)Paragraphs 3(1)‍(f) to (h) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (f)each broadcasting undertaking shall make use of Canadian creative and other resources in the creation and presentation of programming Insertion start to the extent that is appropriate for Insertion end the nature of the undertaking;

  • (g)the programming Insertion start over which a person who carries on a Insertion end broadcasting Insertion start undertaking Insertion end has Insertion start programming control Insertion end should be of high standard;

  • (h)all persons who carry on broadcasting undertakings have a responsibility for the programs Insertion start that Insertion end they broadcast Insertion start and over which they have programming control Insertion end ;

(4)Paragraph 3(1)‍(i) of the Act is amended by adding the following after subparagraph (ii):

  • Start of inserted block

    (ii.‍1)include programs produced by Canadians that cover news and current events — from the local and regional to the international — and that reflect the viewpoints of Canadians, including the viewpoints of Indigenous persons and of Canadians from racialized communities and diverse ethnocultural backgrounds;

    End of inserted block

(5)Paragraphs 3(1)‍(k) and (l) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (k)a range of broadcasting services in English and in French shall be Insertion start progressively Insertion end extended to all Canadians;

  • (l)the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, as the national public broadcaster, should provide Insertion start broadcasting Insertion end services incorporating a wide range of programming that informs, enlightens and entertains;

(6)Paragraphs 3(1)‍(o) to (s) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (o)programming that reflects the Insertion start Indigenous Insertion end cultures of Canada Insertion start and programming that is in Indigenous languages Insertion end should be provided within the Canadian broadcasting system, Insertion start including by programming undertakings that are carried on by Indigenous persons Insertion end ;

  • (p)programming that is accessible Insertion start without barriers to Insertion end persons Insertion start with disabilities Insertion end should be provided within the Canadian broadcasting system; Insertion start and Insertion end

3The Act is amended by adding the following after section 4:

Non-application — certain programs

Start of inserted block

4.‍1(1)This Act does not apply in respect of

  • (a)programs that are uploaded to an online undertaking that provides a social media service by a user of the service — who is not the provider of the service or the provider’s affiliate, or the agent or mandatary of either of them — for transmission over the Internet and reception by other users of the service; and

  • (b)online undertakings whose broadcasting consists only of such programs.

    End of inserted block

For greater certainty

Start of inserted block

(2)For greater certainty, subsection (1) does not exclude the application of this Act in respect of a program that is the same as one referred to in paragraph (1)‍(a) but that is not uploaded as described in that paragraph.

End of inserted block

4(1)Paragraph 5(2)‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a) Insertion start takes into account Insertion end the different characteristics of English, French and Insertion start Indigenous Insertion end language broadcasting and the different conditions under which broadcasting undertakings that provide English, French or Insertion start Indigenous Insertion end language programming operate;

  • Start of inserted block

    (a.‍1)is fair and equitable as between broadcasting undertakings providing services of a similar nature, taking into account any variation in size and any other difference between the undertakings that may be relevant in the circumstances;

    End of inserted block

(2)Subsection 5(2) of the Act is amended by adding the following after paragraph (e):

  • Start of inserted block

    (e.‍1)facilitates the provision of programs that are accessible without barriers to persons with disabilities;

    End of inserted block

(3)Subsection 5(2) of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (f), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (g) and by adding the following after paragraph (g):

  • Start of inserted block

    (h)takes into account the variety of broadcasting undertakings to which this Act applies and avoids imposing obligations on any class of broadcasting undertakings if that imposition will not contribute in a material manner to the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1).

    End of inserted block

5(1)Subsections 8(2) and (3) of the Act are replaced by the following:

Representations

Start of inserted block

(2)The Minister shall

  • (a)specify in the notice the period — of at least 30 days from the day on which the notice was published under paragraph (1)‍(a) — during which interested persons may make representations; and

  • (b)publish, in any manner that the Minister considers appropriate, a report summarizing the representations that are made during that period.

    End of inserted block

Implementation of proposal

(3)The Governor in Council may, after the Insertion start period referred to in paragraph (2)‍(a) has ended and the Insertion end proposed order Insertion start has been Insertion end laid before Insertion start each House Insertion end of Parliament, implement the proposal by making an order under section 7, either in the form proposed or revised in Insertion start the Insertion end manner Insertion start that Insertion end the Governor in Council Insertion start considers appropriate Insertion end .

(2)Subsection 8(5) of the Act is repealed.

6(1)Paragraphs 9(1)‍(a) to (h) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (a)establish classes of licences Insertion start other than for online undertakings Insertion end ;

  • Start of inserted block

    (b)issue a licence, the term of which may be indefinite or fixed by the Commission;

    End of inserted block
  • (c)amend a licence Insertion start as to its term Insertion end , on the application of the licensee;

  • Start of inserted block

    (d)amend a licence other than as to its term, on the application of the licensee or on the Commission’s own motion;

  • (e)renew a licence, the term of which may be indefinite or fixed by the Commission; and

    End of inserted block
  • (f)suspend or revoke Insertion start a Insertion end licence.

1994, c. 26, s. 10(F)

(2)Subsections 9(2) to (4) of the Act are replaced by the following:

Exemptions

(4)The Commission shall, by order, on Insertion start the Insertion end terms and conditions Insertion start that Insertion end it Insertion start considers Insertion end appropriate, exempt persons who carry on broadcasting undertakings of any class specified in the order from any or all of the requirements of this Part, Insertion start of an order made under section 9.‍1 Insertion end or of a regulation made under this Part Insertion start if Insertion end the Commission is satisfied that compliance with those requirements will not contribute in a material manner to the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1).

7The Act is amended by adding the following after section 9:

Conditions

Start of inserted block

9.‍1(1)The Commission may, in furtherance of its objects, make orders imposing conditions on the carrying on of broadcasting undertakings that the Commission considers appropriate for the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1), including conditions respecting

  • (a)the proportion of programs to be broadcast that shall be Canadian programs and the proportion of time that shall be devoted to the broadcasting of Canadian programs;

  • (b)the presentation of programs for selection by the public, including the discoverability of Canadian programs;

  • (c)a requirement for a person carrying on a broadcasting undertaking, other than an online undertaking, to obtain the approval of the Commission before entering into any contract with a telecommunications common carrier, as defined in the Telecommunications Act, for the distribution of programming directly to the public;

  • (d)a requirement for a person carrying on a distribution undertaking to give priority to the carriage of broadcasting;

  • (e)a requirement for a person carrying on a distribution undertaking to carry, on the terms and conditions that the Commission considers appropriate, programming services specified by the Commission;

  • (f)terms and conditions of service in contracts between distribution undertakings and their subscribers;

  • (g)access by persons with disabilities to programming, including the identification, prevention and removal of barriers to such access;

  • (h)the carriage of emergency messages;

  • (i)the provision to the Commission, by corporations that are licensees or that are persons exempt from the requirement to hold a licence under an order made under subsection 9(4), of information related to

    • (i)the ownership, governance and control of those corporations, and

    • (ii)the affiliation of those corporations with any affiliates carrying on broadcasting undertakings; and

  • (j)the provision to the Commission, by persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings, of any other information that the Commission considers necessary for the administration of this Act, including

    • (i)financial or commercial information,

    • (ii)information related to programming,

    • (iii)information related to expenditures made under section 11.‍1,

    • (iv)information related to audience measurement, other than information that could identify any individual audience member, and

    • (v)other information related to the provision of broadcasting services.

      End of inserted block

Application

Start of inserted block

(2)An order made under this section may be made applicable to all persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings, to all persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of any class established by the Commission in the order or to a particular person carrying on a broadcasting undertaking.

End of inserted block

Non-application

Start of inserted block

(3)The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply to orders made under this section.

End of inserted block

Publication and representations

Start of inserted block

(4)A copy of each order that the Commission proposes to make under this section shall be published on the Commission’s website and a reasonable opportunity shall be given to persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings and other interested persons to make representations to the Commission with respect to the proposed order.

End of inserted block

Publication

Start of inserted block

(5)The Commission shall publish each order that is made under this section on its website.

End of inserted block

8(1)The portion of subsection 10(1) of the French version of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Règlements

10(1)Dans l’exécution de sa mission, le Conseil peut Insertion start prendre des règlements Insertion end  :

(2)Paragraph 10(1)‍(a) of the Act is repealed.

(3)Paragraph 10(1)‍(b) of the French version of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • b) Insertion start définissant Insertion end « émission canadienne » pour l’application de la présente loi;

(4)Paragraph 10(1)‍(c) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (c)respecting standards Insertion start for Insertion end programs Insertion start over which a person carrying on a broadcasting undertaking has programming control Insertion end and the allocation of broadcasting time, for the purpose of giving effect to the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1);

(5)Paragraph 10(1)‍(d) of the French version of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • d) Insertion start concernant Insertion end la nature de la publicité et le temps Insertion start d’antenne Insertion end qui peut y être consacré;

(6)Paragraph 10(1)‍(e) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (e)respecting, Insertion start in relation to a broadcasting undertaking other than an online undertaking Insertion end , the proportion of time that may be devoted to the broadcasting of programs, including advertisements or announcements, of a partisan political character and the assignment of that time on an equitable basis to political parties and candidates;

(7)Paragraphs 10(1)‍(f) to (h) of the French version of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • f) Insertion start prescrivant Insertion end les conditions d’exploitation des entreprises de programmation faisant partie d’un réseau ainsi que les conditions de radiodiffusion des émissions de réseau et Insertion start concernant Insertion end le temps d’antenne à réserver à celles-ci par ces entreprises;

  • g) Insertion start concernant Insertion end la fourniture de services de programmation — même étrangers — par les entreprises de distribution;

  • h) Insertion start pourvoyant Insertion end au règlement — notamment par la médiation — de différends concernant la fourniture de programmation et survenant entre les entreprises de programmation qui la transmettent et les entreprises de distribution;

(8)Paragraphs 10(1)‍(i) and (j) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • Start of inserted block

    (i)respecting the registration of broadcasting undertakings with the Commission;

    End of inserted block
  • (j)respecting the audit or examination of records and books of account of Insertion start persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end by the Commission or persons acting on behalf of the Commission; and

(9)Paragraph 10(1)‍(k) of the French version of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • k) Insertion start concernant Insertion end toute autre mesure qu’il estime nécessaire à l’exécution de sa mission.

(10)Subsections 10(2) and (3) of the Act are replaced by the following:

Application

(2)A regulation made under this section may be made applicable to all persons Insertion start carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end or to all persons Insertion start carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end of Insertion start any class established by the Commission in the regulation Insertion end .

Publication and representations

(3)A copy of each regulation that the Commission proposes to make under this section shall be published in the Canada Gazette and a reasonable opportunity shall be given to persons Insertion start carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end and other interested persons to make representations to the Commission with respect to Insertion start the regulation Insertion end .

9(1)The portion of subsection 11(1) of the French version of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Règlements : droits

11(1)Le Conseil peut Insertion start prendre des règlements Insertion end  :

(2)Paragraphs 11(1)‍(a) to (d) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (a)with the approval of the Treasury Board, establishing schedules of fees to be paid by Insertion start persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of any class Insertion end ;

  • (b)providing for the establishment of classes of Insertion start broadcasting undertakings Insertion end for the purposes of paragraph (a);

  • (c)providing for the payment of any fees payable by a Insertion start person carrying on a broadcasting undertaking Insertion end , including the time and manner of payment;

  • (d)respecting the interest payable by Insertion start such Insertion end a Insertion start person Insertion end in respect of any overdue fee; and

(3)Paragraph 11(1)‍(e) of the French version of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • e) Insertion start concernant Insertion end toute autre mesure d’application du présent article qu’il estime nécessaire.

(4)The portion of subsection 11(2) of the English version of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Criteria

(2)Regulations made under paragraph (1)‍(a) may provide for fees to be calculated by reference to any criteria that the Commission Insertion start considers Insertion end appropriate, including by reference to

(5)Paragraph 11(2)‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a)the revenues of the Insertion start persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end ;

(6)Paragraph 11(2)‍(b) of the English version of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b)the performance of the Insertion start persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end in relation to objectives established by the Commission, including objectives for the broadcasting of Canadian programs; and

(7)Paragraph 11(2)‍(c) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (c)the market served by the Insertion start persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end .

(8)Subsection 11(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Exceptions

(3)No regulations made under subsection (1) shall apply to the Corporation or to Insertion start persons Insertion end carrying on programming undertakings on behalf of Her Majesty in right of a province.

Restriction — non-licensees

Start of inserted block

(3.‍1)The only fees that may be established with respect to a broadcasting undertaking that may be carried on without a licence shall be fees that relate to the recovery of the costs of the Commission’s activities under this Act.

End of inserted block

(9)Subsection 11(4) of the English version of the Act is replaced by the following:

Debt due to Her Majesty

(4)Fees payable under this section and any interest Insertion start in respect of them Insertion end constitute a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be recovered as such in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(10)Subsection 11(5) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Publication and representations

(5)A copy of each regulation that the Commission proposes to make under this section shall be published in the Canada Gazette and a reasonable opportunity shall be given to Insertion start persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end and other interested persons to make representations to the Commission with respect Insertion start to the regulation Insertion end .

10The Act is amended by adding the following after section 11:

Regulations — expenditures

Start of inserted block

11.‍1(1)The Commission may make regulations respecting expenditures to be made by persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings for the purposes of

  • (a)developing, financing, producing or promoting Canadian audio or audio-visual programs for broadcasting by broadcasting undertakings;

  • (b)supporting, promoting or training Canadian creators of audio or audio-visual programs for broadcasting by broadcasting undertakings; or

  • (c)supporting participation by persons, groups of persons or organizations representing the public interest in proceedings before the Commission under this Act.

    End of inserted block

Order — particular broadcasting undertaking

Start of inserted block

(2)The Commission may make an order respecting expenditures to be made by a particular person carrying on a broadcasting undertaking for any of the purposes set out in paragraphs (1)‍(a) to (c).

End of inserted block

Application of regulations

Start of inserted block

(3)A regulation made under this section may be made applicable to all persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings or to all persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings of any class established by the Commission in the regulation.

End of inserted block

Recipients

Start of inserted block

(4)Regulations and orders made under this section may provide that an expenditure is to be paid to any person or organization, other than the Commission, or into any fund, other than a fund administered by the Commission.

End of inserted block

Criteria

Start of inserted block

(5)Regulations and orders made under this section may provide for expenditures to be calculated by reference to any criteria that the Commission considers appropriate, including by reference to

  • (a)the revenues of the persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings;

  • (b)the performance of the persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings in relation to objectives established by the Commission, including objectives for the broadcasting of Canadian programs; and

  • (c)the market served by the persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings.

    End of inserted block

Publication and representations

Start of inserted block

(6)A copy of each regulation that the Commission proposes to make under this section shall be published in the Canada Gazette and a copy of each proposed order shall be published on the Commission’s website. A reasonable opportunity shall be given to persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings and other interested persons to make representations to the Commission with respect to the regulation or order.

End of inserted block

Non-application

Start of inserted block

(7)The Statutory Instruments Act does not apply to orders made under subsection (2).

End of inserted block

2014, c. 39, s. 191(1); 2019, c. 10, s. 161(1)

11Subsection 12(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Inquiries

12(1)The Commission may inquire into, hear and determine Insertion start a Insertion end matter Insertion start if Insertion end it appears to the Commission that

  • (a)any person is Insertion start contravening Insertion end or has Insertion start contravened Insertion end this Part or any regulation, licence, decision or order made or issued by the Commission under this Part;

  • (b)any person Insertion start is contravening or has contravened Insertion end section 34.‍1;

  • Insertion start (c) Insertion end any person Insertion start is contravening or has contravened Insertion end sections 42 to 44 of the Accessible Canada Act; or

  • Insertion start (d) Insertion end the circumstances may require the Commission to make any decision or order or to give any approval that it is authorized to make or give under this Part or under any regulation or order made under this Part.

12Paragraph 18(1)‍(c) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (c)the establishing of any performance objectives for the purposes of Insertion start paragraphs Insertion end 11(2)‍(b) Insertion start and 11.‍1(5)‍(b) Insertion end ; and

13Section 21 of the French version of the Act is replaced by the following:

Règles

21Le Conseil peut établir des règles Insertion start concernant Insertion end l’instruction des affaires dont il est saisi, notamment la procédure applicable à la présentation des demandes d’attribution, de modification, de renouvellement, de suspension ou de révocation de licences, la présentation des observations et des plaintes et le déroulement des audiences.

14Subsections 23(1) to (3) of the Act are replaced by the following:

Consultation between Commission and Corporation

23(1)The Commission shall, at the request of the Corporation, consult with the Corporation with regard to any conditions that the Commission proposes to Insertion start impose under subsection 9.‍1(1) — or with regard to any regulation or order that the Commission proposes to make under section 11.‍1 — that would apply with respect Insertion end to the Corporation.

Reference to Minister

(2)If, Insertion start despite Insertion end the consultation provided for in subsection (1), the Commission Insertion start imposes Insertion end any condition, Insertion start or makes any regulation or order Insertion end , referred to in subsection (1) that the Corporation is satisfied would unreasonably impede the Corporation in providing the programming contemplated by paragraphs 3(1)‍(l) and (m), the Corporation may, within 30 days after Insertion start the condition is imposed or the regulation or order is made Insertion end , refer the condition, Insertion start regulation or order Insertion end to the Minister for consideration.

Ministerial directive

(3)Subject to subsection (4), the Minister may, within 90 days after a condition, Insertion start regulation or order Insertion end is referred to the Minister under subsection (2), issue to the Commission a written directive with respect to the condition, Insertion start regulation or order Insertion end and the Commission shall comply with any such directive issued by the Minister.

15Paragraph 24(1)‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a)the licensee has contravened any order made under subsection Insertion start 9.‍1(1), 11.‍1(2) or Insertion end 12(2) or any regulation made under this Part; or

16Subsection 25(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Report of contravention by Corporation

25(1) Insertion start If Insertion end the Commission is satisfied, after a public hearing on the matter, that the Corporation has contravened Insertion start section 31.‍1 Insertion end , any order made under subsection Insertion start 9.‍1(1), 11.‍1(2) Insertion end or 12(2) or any regulation made under this Part, the Commission shall forward to the Minister a report setting out the circumstances of the contravention, the findings of the Commission and any observations or recommendations of the Commission in connection Insertion start with the contravention Insertion end .

17The Act is amended by adding the following after section 25:

Start of inserted block

Provision of Information by Commission

End of inserted block
Minister or Chief Statistician
Start of inserted block

25.‍1The Commission shall, on request, provide the Minister or the Chief Statistician of Canada with any information submitted to the Commission in respect of a broadcasting undertaking.

End of inserted block
Access to information
Start of inserted block

25.‍2Subject to section 25.‍3, the Commission shall make available for public inspection any information submitted to the Commission in the course of proceedings before it.

End of inserted block
Confidential information
Start of inserted block

25.‍3(1)A person who submits any of the following information to the Commission may designate it as confidential:

  • (a)information that is a trade secret;

  • (b)financial, commercial, scientific or technical information that is confidential and that is treated consistently in a confidential manner by the person who submitted it; or

  • (c)information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected

    • (i)to result in material financial loss or gain to any person,

    • (ii)to prejudice the competitive position of any person, or

    • (iii)to affect contractual or other negotiations of any person.

      End of inserted block
Information not to be disclosed
Start of inserted block

(2)Subject to subsections (4), (5) and (7), if a person designates information as confidential and the designation is not withdrawn by that person, no person described in subsection (3) shall knowingly disclose the information, or knowingly allow it to be disclosed, to any other person in any manner that is intended or likely to make it available for the use of any person who may benefit from the information or use it to the detriment of any person to whose business or affairs the information relates.

End of inserted block
Persons who shall not disclose information
Start of inserted block

(3)Subsection (2) applies to any person referred to in any of the following paragraphs who comes into possession of designated information while holding the office or employment described in that paragraph, whether or not the person has ceased to hold that office or be so employed:

  • (a)a member of, or a person employed by, the Commission;

  • (b)in respect of information disclosed under paragraph (4)‍(b) or (5)‍(b), the Commissioner of Competition appointed under the Competition Act or a person whose duties involve the carrying out of that Act and who is referred to in section 25 of that Act;

  • (c)in respect of information provided under section 25.‍1, the Minister, the Chief Statistician of Canada or an agent of or a person employed in the federal public administration.

    End of inserted block
Disclosure of information submitted in proceedings
Start of inserted block

(4)If designated information is submitted in the course of proceedings before the Commission, the Commission may

  • (a)disclose the information or require its disclosure if the Commission determines, after considering any representations from interested persons, that the disclosure is in the public interest; and

  • (b)disclose the information or require its disclosure to the Commissioner of Competition on the Commissioner’s request if the Commission determines that the information is relevant to competition issues being considered in the proceedings.

    End of inserted block
Disclosure of other information
Start of inserted block

(5)If designated information is submitted to the Commission otherwise than in the course of proceedings before it, the Commission may

  • (a)disclose the information or require its disclosure if, after considering any representations from interested persons, the Commission considers that the information is relevant to a matter arising in the exercise of its powers or the performance of its duties and functions and determines that the disclosure is in the public interest; and

  • (b)disclose the information or require its disclosure to the Commissioner of Competition, on the Commissioner’s request, if the Commission considers that the information is relevant to competition issues that are related to such a matter.

    End of inserted block
Information disclosed to Commissioner of Competition
Start of inserted block

(6)Neither the Commissioner of Competition nor any person whose duties involve the administration and enforcement of the Competition Act and who is referred to in section 25 of that Act shall use information that is disclosed

  • (a)under paragraph (4)‍(b) other than to facilitate the Commissioner’s participation in proceedings referred to in subsection (4); or

  • (b)under paragraph (5)‍(b) other than to facilitate the Commissioner’s participation in a matter referred to in subsection (5).

    End of inserted block
Information inadmissible
Start of inserted block

(7)Designated information that is not disclosed or required to be disclosed under this section is not admissible in evidence in any judicial proceedings except proceedings for failure to submit information required to be submitted under this Act or for forgery, perjury or false declaration in relation to the submission of the information.

End of inserted block

18(1)Subsection 28(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Setting aside or referring decisions back to Commission

28(1) Insertion start If Insertion end the Commission makes a decision Insertion start under section 9 Insertion end to issue, amend or renew a licence, the Governor in Council may, within Insertion start 180 Insertion end days after the date of the decision, on petition in writing of any person received within 45 days after that date or on the Governor in Council’s own motion, by order, set aside the decision or refer the decision back to the Commission for reconsideration and hearing of the matter by the Commission, if the Governor in Council is satisfied that the decision derogates from the attainment of the objectives of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1).

(2)Paragraph 28(3)‍(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b)rescind the issue of the licence and issue a licence to another person; or

(3)Subsections 28(4) and (5) of the Act are repealed.

19(1)Subsection 29(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Filing of petitions

29(1)Every person who petitions the Governor in Council under subsection 28(1) shall at the same time send a copy of the petition to the Commission.

(2)Subsection 29(3) of the English version of the Act is replaced by the following:

Register

(3)The Commission shall establish and maintain a public register in which shall be kept a copy of each petition received by the Commission.

20The Act is amended by adding the following after section 31:

Start of inserted block

Prohibition

End of inserted block
Carrying on broadcasting undertaking
Start of inserted block

31.‍1(1)A person shall not carry on a broadcasting undertaking unless

  • (a)they do so in accordance with a licence issued to them; or

  • (b)they are exempt, under an order made under subsection 9(4), from the requirement to hold a licence.

    End of inserted block
Exception — online undertaking
Start of inserted block

(2)Despite subsection (1), a person may carry on an online undertaking without a licence and without being so exempt.

End of inserted block

21Sections 32 to 34 of the Act are replaced by the following:

Broadcasting contrary to Act

32Every person who Insertion start contravenes section 31.‍1 Insertion end is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable

  • (a)in the case of an individual, to a fine Insertion start of Insertion end not Insertion start more Insertion end than Insertion start $25,000 Insertion end for each day that the offence continues; or

  • (b)in the case of a corporation, to a fine Insertion start of Insertion end not Insertion start more Insertion end than Insertion start $250,000 Insertion end for each day that the offence continues.

Contravention of regulation or order

33Every person who contravenes any regulation or order made under this Part is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable

  • (a)in the case of an individual, to a fine Insertion start of Insertion end not Insertion start more Insertion end than $25,000 for a first offence and Insertion start of Insertion end not Insertion start more Insertion end than $50,000 for each subsequent offence; or

  • (b)in the case of a corporation, to a fine Insertion start of Insertion end not Insertion start more Insertion end than $250,000 for a first offence and Insertion start of Insertion end not Insertion start more Insertion end than $500,000 for each subsequent offence.

Defence

Start of inserted block

33.‍1A person is not to be found guilty of an offence under section 32 or 33 if they establish that they exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence.

End of inserted block

Limitation

34Proceedings Insertion start in respect of Insertion end an offence under section 33 may be instituted within, but not after, two years after the Insertion start day on which Insertion end the subject matter of the proceedings arose.

22The Act is amended by adding the following after section 34.‍2:

Defence

Start of inserted block

34.‍21A person is not to be found guilty of an offence under section 34.‍2 if they establish that they exercised due diligence to prevent the commission of the offence.

End of inserted block

23The Act is amended by adding the following after section 34.‍3:

Start of inserted block

PART II.‍2
Administrative Monetary Penalties

End of inserted block
Violations
Start of inserted block

34.‍4(1)Subject to a regulation made under paragraph 34.‍995(a), a person commits a violation if they

  • (a)contravene a regulation or order made under Part II;

  • (b)carry on a broadcasting undertaking in contravention of section 31.‍1;

  • (c)charge a subscriber for providing the subscriber with a paper bill in contravention of section 34.‍1;

  • (d)contravene an undertaking that they entered into under section 34.‍9;

  • (e)fail to submit information in accordance with a notice issued under section 34.‍996 to a person designated under paragraph 34.‍7(a) that the designated person requires by the notice;

  • (f)knowingly make a material misrepresentation of fact in contravention of section 34.‍997; or

  • (g)contravene any of subsections 42(1) to (4) and (7), 43(1) to (3) and 44(1) to (3) and (6) of the Accessible Canada Act.

    End of inserted block
Continued violation
Start of inserted block

(2)A violation that is continued on more than one day constitutes a separate violation in respect of each day on which it is continued.

End of inserted block
Maximum administrative monetary penalty
Start of inserted block

34.‍5(1)A person who commits a violation is liable to an administrative monetary penalty

  • (a)in the case of an individual, of not more than $25,000 for a first violation and of not more than $50,000 for each subsequent violation; or

  • (b)in any other case, of not more than $10 million for a first violation and of not more than $15 million for each subsequent violation.

    End of inserted block
Criteria for penalty
Start of inserted block

(2)The amount of the penalty is to be determined by taking into account the following factors:

  • (a)the nature and scope of the violation;

  • (b)the history of compliance by the person who committed the violation with this Act, the regulations and the decisions and orders made by the Commission under this Act;

  • (c)the person’s history with respect to any previous undertaking entered into under section 34.‍9;

  • (d)any benefit that the person obtained from the commission of the violation;

  • (e)the person’s ability to pay the penalty;

  • (f)any factors established by regulation;

  • (g)the purpose of the penalty, which is to promote compliance with this Act — or, in the case of a penalty imposed for a violation referred to in paragraph 34.‍4(1)‍(g), compliance with the Accessible Canada Act — and not to punish; and

  • (h)any other relevant factor.

    End of inserted block
Purpose of penalty
Start of inserted block

(3)The purpose of the penalty is to promote compliance with this Act — or, in the case of a penalty imposed for a violation referred to in paragraph 34.‍4(1)‍(g), compliance with the Accessible Canada Act — and not to punish.

End of inserted block
Procedures
Start of inserted block

34.‍6(1)Despite subsection 34.‍8(1), the Commission may impose a penalty in a decision made in the course of a proceeding before it under this Act in which it finds that a violation referred to in section 34.‍4 has been committed by a person other than the person who entered into an undertaking under section 34.‍9 in connection with the same act or omission giving rise to the violation.

End of inserted block
For greater certainty
Start of inserted block

(2)For greater certainty, the Commission is not to impose a penalty under subsection (1) on a person who has not been given the opportunity to be heard.

End of inserted block
Designation
Start of inserted block

34.‍7The Commission may

  • (a)designate persons or classes of persons who are authorized to issue notices of violation or to accept an undertaking under section 34.‍9; and

  • (b)establish, in respect of each violation, a short-form description to be used in notices of violation.

    End of inserted block
Notice of violation
Start of inserted block

34.‍8(1)A person who is authorized to issue notices of violation may, if they believe on reasonable grounds that another person has committed a violation, issue a notice of violation and cause it to be served on that other person.

End of inserted block
Contents
Start of inserted block

(2)The notice of violation shall set out

  • (a)the name of the person who is believed to have committed a violation;

  • (b)the act or omission giving rise to the violation, as well as a reference to the provision that is at issue;

  • (c)the administrative monetary penalty that the person is liable to pay, as well as the time and manner in which the person may pay the penalty;

  • (d)a statement informing the person that they may pay the penalty or make representations to the Commission with respect to the violation and the penalty and informing them of the time and manner for making such representations; and

  • (e)a statement informing the person that, if they do not pay the penalty or make representations in accordance with the notice, they will be deemed to have committed the violation and the penalty may be imposed.

    End of inserted block
Undertaking
Start of inserted block

34.‍9(1)A person may enter into an undertaking at any time. The undertaking is valid upon its acceptance by the Commission or, if it is entered into by a person other than the Corporation, upon its acceptance by the Commission or the person designated to accept an undertaking.

End of inserted block
Requirements
Start of inserted block

(2)An undertaking referred to in subsection (1)

  • (a)shall set out every act or omission that is covered by the undertaking;

  • (b)shall set out every provision that is at issue;

  • (c)may contain any conditions that the Commission or the person designated to accept the undertaking considers appropriate; and

  • (d)may include a requirement to pay a specified amount.

    End of inserted block
Before notice of violation
Start of inserted block

(3)If a person enters into an undertaking, a notice of violation shall not be served on them in connection with any act or omission referred to in the undertaking.

End of inserted block
After notice of violation
Start of inserted block

(4)If a person enters into an undertaking after a notice of violation is served on them, the proceeding that is commenced by the notice of violation is ended in respect of that person in connection with any act or omission referred to in the undertaking.

End of inserted block
Powers respecting hearings
Start of inserted block

34.‍91For greater certainty, the Commission has all the powers, rights and privileges referred to in section 16 if, in a proceeding in respect of a violation, it holds a public hearing under subsection 18(3).

End of inserted block
Payment of penalty
Start of inserted block

34.‍92(1)If a person who is served with a notice of violation pays the penalty set out in the notice, they are deemed to have committed the violation and the proceedings in respect of it are ended.

End of inserted block
Representations to Commission and decision
Start of inserted block

(2)If a person who is served with a notice of violation makes representations in accordance with the notice, the Commission shall decide, on a balance of probabilities, after considering any other representations that it considers appropriate, whether the person committed the violation. If the Commission decides that the person committed the violation, it may

  • (a)impose the administrative monetary penalty set out in the notice, a lesser penalty or no penalty; and

  • (b)suspend payment of the administrative monetary penalty subject to any conditions that the Commission considers necessary to ensure compliance with this Act.

    End of inserted block
Penalty
Start of inserted block

(3)If a person who is served with a notice of violation neither pays the penalty nor makes representations in accordance with the notice, the person is deemed to have committed the violation and the Commission may impose the penalty.

End of inserted block
Copy of decision and notice of rights
Start of inserted block

(4)The Commission shall cause a copy of any decision made under subsection (2) or (3) to be issued and served on the person together with a notice of the person’s right to apply for leave to appeal under section 31.

End of inserted block
Evidence
Start of inserted block

34.‍93In a proceeding in respect of a violation, a notice purporting to be served under subsection 34.‍8(1) or a copy of a decision purporting to be served under subsection 34.‍92(4) is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed it.

End of inserted block
Defence
Start of inserted block

34.‍94(1)A person is not to be found liable for a violation, other than a violation under paragraph 34.‍4(1)‍(f), if they establish that they exercised due diligence to prevent its commission.

End of inserted block
Common law principles
Start of inserted block

(2)Every rule and principle of the common law that makes any circumstance a justification or excuse in relation to a charge for an offence applies in respect of a violation to the extent that it is not inconsistent with this Act.

End of inserted block
Directors, officers, etc.‍, of corporations
Start of inserted block

34.‍95An officer, director or agent or mandatary of a corporation other than the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, that commits a violation is liable for the violation if they directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the violation, whether or not the corporation is proceeded against.

End of inserted block
Vicarious liability
Start of inserted block

34.‍96A person, other than the Corporation, is liable for a violation that is committed by their employee acting within the scope of their employment or their agent or mandatary acting within the scope of their authority, whether or not the employee or agent or mandatary is identified or proceeded against.

End of inserted block
Limitation or prescription period
Start of inserted block

34.‍97(1)Proceedings in respect of a violation may be instituted within, but not after, three years after the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings became known to the Commission.

End of inserted block
Certificate
Start of inserted block

(2)A document that appears to have been issued by the secretary to the Commission, certifying the day on which the subject matter of any proceedings became known to the Commission, is admissible in evidence without proof of the signature or official character of the person who appears to have signed the document and is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of the matter asserted in it.

End of inserted block
Information may be made public
Start of inserted block

34.‍98The Commission may make public

  • (a)the name of a person who enters into an undertaking under section 34.‍9, the nature of the undertaking including the acts or omissions and provisions at issue, the conditions included in the undertaking and the amount payable under it, if any; or

  • (b)the name of a person who is deemed, or is found by the Commission or on appeal, to have committed a violation, the acts or omissions and provisions at issue and the amount of the penalty imposed, if any.

    End of inserted block
Special case concerning the Corporation — public hearing
Start of inserted block

34.‍99(1)Despite subsections 34.‍6(1) and 34.‍92(2) and (3), the Commission shall not impose a penalty under any of those subsections on the Corporation for a violation other than the one referred to in paragraph 34.‍4(1)‍(g) without holding a public hearing on the matter.

End of inserted block
Place of hearing
Start of inserted block

(2)A public hearing under subsection (1) may be held at any place in Canada designated by the Chairperson of the Commission.

End of inserted block
Notice of hearing
Start of inserted block

(3)The Commission shall cause notice of any public hearing to be held by it under subsection (1) to be published in the Canada Gazette and in one or more newspapers of general circulation within any area affected or likely to be affected by the matter to which the public hearing relates.

End of inserted block
Powers respecting hearings
Start of inserted block

(4)The Commission has, in respect of any hearing under subsection (1), with regard to the attendance, swearing and examination of witnesses at the hearing, the production and inspection of documents and other matters necessary or proper in relation to the hearing, all of the powers, rights and privileges that are vested in a superior court of record.

End of inserted block
For greater certainty
Start of inserted block

(5)For greater certainty, sections 17, 20 and 21 apply in respect of public hearings under subsection (1).

End of inserted block
Report of violation
Start of inserted block

34.‍991(1)If the Commission is satisfied, after holding a public hearing on the matter, that the Corporation has committed a violation referred to in any of paragraphs 34.‍4(1)‍(a) to (f), the Commission shall forward to the Minister a report setting out the circumstances of the violation, the findings of the Commission, the amount of any penalty imposed, and any observations or recommendations of the Commission in connection with the violation.

End of inserted block
Report to be tabled
Start of inserted block

(2)The Minister shall cause a copy of the report referred to in subsection (1) to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting after the report is received by the Minister.

End of inserted block
Violation or offence
Start of inserted block

34.‍992(1)If an act or omission can be proceeded with either as a violation or as an offence under this Act, proceeding in one manner precludes proceeding in the other.

End of inserted block
For greater certainty
Start of inserted block

(2)For greater certainty, a violation is not an offence and, accordingly, section 126 of the Criminal Code does not apply.

End of inserted block
Receiver General
Start of inserted block

34.‍993An administrative monetary penalty paid or recovered in relation to a violation is payable to the Receiver General.

End of inserted block
Debt due to Her Majesty
Start of inserted block

34.‍994(1)The following amounts are debts due to Her Majesty in right of Canada that may be recovered in the Federal Court:

  • (a)the amount of the penalty imposed by the Commission in a decision made in the course of a proceeding before it under this Act in which it finds that a violation referred to in section 34.‍4 has been committed;

  • (b)the amount payable under an undertaking entered into under section 34.‍9, beginning on the day specified in the undertaking or, if no day is specified, beginning on the day on which the undertaking is accepted;

  • (c)the amount of the penalty set out in a notice of violation, beginning on the day on which it is required to be paid in accordance with the notice, unless representations are made in accordance with the notice;

  • (d)if representations are made, either the amount of the administrative monetary penalty that is imposed by the Commission or on appeal, as the case may be, beginning on the day specified by the Commission or the court or, if no day is specified, beginning on the day on which the decision is made; and

  • (e)the amount of any reasonable expenses incurred in attempting to recover an amount referred to in any of paragraphs (a) to (d).

    End of inserted block
Limitation period or prescription
Start of inserted block

(2)Proceedings to recover a debt may be instituted within, but not after, three years after the day on which the debt becomes payable.

End of inserted block
Certificate of default
Start of inserted block

(3)The Commission may issue a certificate for the unpaid amount of any debt referred to in subsection (1).

End of inserted block
Effect of registration
Start of inserted block

(4)Registration of a certificate in the Federal Court has the same effect as a judgment of that Court for a debt of the amount set out in the certificate and all related registration costs.

End of inserted block
Regulations
Start of inserted block

34.‍995The Governor in Council may make regulations

  • (a)providing for exceptions to any of paragraphs 34.‍4(1)‍(a) to (g);

  • (b)for the purpose of paragraph 34.‍5(2)‍(f), establishing other factors to be considered in determining the amount of the penalty;

  • (c)respecting undertakings referred to in section 34.‍9;

  • (d)respecting the service of documents required or authorized to be served under this Part, including the manner and proof of service and the circumstances under which documents are to be considered to be served; and

  • (e)generally, for carrying out the purposes and provisions of this Part.

    End of inserted block
Start of inserted block

PART II.‍3
Submission of Information

End of inserted block
Information requirement
Start of inserted block

34.‍996A person designated under paragraph 34.‍7(a) who believes that a person is in possession of information that is reasonably considered to be relevant for the purpose of verifying whether a violation referred to in section 34.‍4 has been committed may, by notice, require that person to submit the information to the designated person in the form and manner and within the reasonable time that is stipulated in the notice. A person to whom any such notice is addressed shall comply with the notice.

End of inserted block Start of inserted block

PART II.‍4
Offence — Material Misrepresentation of Fact

End of inserted block
Prohibition
Start of inserted block

34.‍997It is prohibited for any person to knowingly make a material misrepresentation of fact to a person designated under paragraph 34.‍7(a).

End of inserted block
Offence
Start of inserted block

34.‍998(1)Every person who contravenes section 34.‍997 is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable

  • (a)in the case of an individual, to a fine of not more than $10,000 for a first offence or and of not more than $25,000 for each subsequent offence; or

  • (b)in any other case, to a fine of not more than $100,000 for a first offence and of not more than $250,000 for each subsequent offence.

    End of inserted block
Limitation
Start of inserted block

(2)Proceedings in respect of an offence under subsection (1) may be instituted within, but not after, two years after the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose.

End of inserted block

24(1)Paragraphs 38(1)‍(a) to (c) of the Act are replaced by the following:

  • (a)is engaged in the operation of a broadcasting undertaking Insertion start described in subsection (3) Insertion end ;

  • (b)has any pecuniary or proprietary interest in Insertion start such Insertion end a broadcasting undertaking; or

  • (c)is principally engaged in the production or distribution of program material that is primarily intended for use by Insertion start such Insertion end a broadcasting undertaking.

(2)Section 38 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (2):

Application

Start of inserted block

(3)Subsection (1) applies with respect to a broadcasting undertaking that

  • (a)must be carried on under a licence;

  • (b)is carried on by a person who is exempt from the requirement to hold a licence, under an order made under subsection 9(4); or

  • (c)must be registered with the Commission under regulations made under paragraph 10(1)‍(i).

    End of inserted block

25(1)The portion of subsection 46(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Objects and powers

46(1)The Corporation is established for the purpose of providing the programming contemplated by paragraphs 3(1)‍(l) and (m), subject to any applicable Insertion start orders Insertion end and regulations of the Commission, and for that purpose the Corporation may

(2)Paragraph 46(1)‍(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b)make agreements with Insertion start persons carrying on broadcasting undertakings Insertion end for the broadcasting of programs;

(3)Subsections 46(2) and (3) of the Act are replaced by the following:

International service

(2)The Corporation shall, subject to any applicable Insertion start orders Insertion end and regulations of the Commission, provide an international service in accordance with Insertion start any Insertion end directions Insertion start that Insertion end the Governor in Council may issue.

Power to act as agent

(3)The Corporation may, subject to any applicable Insertion start orders Insertion end and regulations of the Commission, act as an agent of Her Majesty in right of Canada, or Insertion start as an agent or mandatary of Her Majesty in right of Insertion end a province, in respect of any broadcasting operations that it may be directed by the Governor in Council to carry out.

26Subsection 51(1) of the French version of the Act is replaced by the following:

Règlements administratifs

51(1)Le conseil d’administration peut Insertion start prendre des règlements administratifs Insertion end  :

  • a) Insertion start concernant Insertion end la convocation de ses réunions;

  • b) Insertion start concernant Insertion end le déroulement de celles-ci ainsi que la constitution de comités permanents et spéciaux, la délégation de fonctions à ces comités — y compris ceux visés à l’article 45 — et la fixation de leur quorum;

  • c) Insertion start fixant Insertion end les honoraires des administrateurs autres que le président du conseil et le président-directeur général, pour leur présence à ses réunions ou à celles des comités, ainsi que les indemnités de déplacement et de séjour payables à tous les administrateurs;

  • d) Insertion start concernant Insertion end , d’une part, les obligations et le code de conduite des administrateurs et du personnel de la Société et, d’autre part, les conditions d’emploi et les modalités de cessation d’emploi de celui-ci, y compris le paiement à titre individuel ou collectif, de toute gratification — indemnité de retraite ou autre;

  • e) Insertion start concernant Insertion end la création et la gestion d’une caisse de retraite pour les administrateurs et le personnel de la Société et les personnes à leur charge, ainsi que les cotisations de celle-ci à cette caisse et le placement de ses fonds;

  • f)d’une façon générale, Insertion start régissant Insertion end la conduite des activités de la Société.

Related Amendments

2010, c. 23

An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act

27Section 5 of An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act is replaced by the following:

Broadcasting excluded

5This Act does not apply in respect of broadcasting by a broadcasting undertaking, Insertion start other than an online undertaking Insertion end , as those terms are defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act.

28Section 6 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (7):

Exception
Start of inserted block

(7.‍1)This section does not apply to a commercial electronic message that is sent or caused or permitted to be sent by an online undertaking, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act, if

  • (a)the person to whom the message is sent has expressly or implicitly consented to the transmission of a program, as defined in that subsection, from that online undertaking to an electronic address; and

    End of inserted block
  • Start of inserted block

    (b)the message is or forms part of that program or is sent in the course of the transmission of that program to the electronic address to which that program is transmitted.

    End of inserted block

29The portion of subsection 10(9) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Implied consent — section 6

(9)For the purpose of section 6, Insertion start except subsection 6(7.‍1) Insertion end , consent is implied only if

2018, c. 16

Cannabis Act

30Paragraph 23(2)‍(b) of the Cannabis Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b)in respect of broadcasting, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act, by

    • ( Insertion start i Insertion end )a distribution undertaking, as defined in that subsection 2(1), that is lawful under that Act, other than the broadcasting of a promotion that is inserted by the undertaking, Insertion start or Insertion end

    • Start of inserted block

      (ii)an online undertaking, as defined in that subsection 2(1), that is lawful under that Act, in respect of the retransmission of programs over the Internet, other than the broadcasting of a promotion that is inserted by the undertaking; and

      End of inserted block

Consequential Amendments

R.‍S.‍, c. A-1

Access to Information Act

31Schedule II to the Access to Information Act is amended by adding, in alphabetical order, a reference to:

Start of inserted block
Start of inserted block

Broadcasting Act

Loi sur la radiodiffusion

End of inserted block
End of inserted block

and a corresponding reference to “subsection 25.‍3(2)”.

R.‍S.‍, c. C-22

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act

2019, c. 10, s. 147

32Subsection 13(2) of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by adding the following after paragraph (d):

  • Start of inserted block

    (e)notices of violation issued under section 34.‍8 of the Broadcasting Act in relation to contraventions of a regulation or order made under Part II of that Act in relation to the identification, prevention and removal of barriers; and

  • (f)notices of violation issued under section 34.‍8 of the Broadcasting Act in relation to contraventions of any of subsections 42(1) to (4) and (7), 43(1) to (3) and 44(1) to (3) and (6) of the Accessible Canada Act.

    End of inserted block

R.‍S.‍, c. C-42

Copyright Act

1997, c. 24, s. 18(1); 2012, c. 20, s. 33

33Subsection 30.‍8(11) of the Copyright Act is replaced by the following:

Definition of programming undertaking

(11)In this section, programming undertaking means

  • (a)a programming undertaking, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act, Insertion start that is carried on lawfully under that Act Insertion end ;

  • (b)a programming undertaking described in paragraph (a) that originates programs within a network, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act;

  • (c)a distribution undertaking, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act, Insertion start that is carried on lawfully under that Act, Insertion end in respect of the programs that it originates; or

  • Start of inserted block

    (d)an online undertaking, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act, that is carried on lawfully under that Act, in respect of the programs that it originates.

    End of inserted block

2002, c. 26, s. 2(2)

34(1)The definition new media retransmitter in subsection 31(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

new media retransmitter means a person whose retransmission Insertion start would be Insertion end lawful under the Broadcasting Act Insertion start as that Act read immediately before the day on which section 31.‍1 of that Act comes into force Insertion end — only by reason of the Exemption order Insertion start for digital media broadcasting undertakings Insertion end , issued by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission as the appendix to Insertion start Broadcasting Order CRTC 2012-409 Insertion end , as Insertion start it read immediately before that day Insertion end ; (retransmetteur de nouveaux médias)

(2)The definition new media retransmitter in subsection 31(1) of the Act is repealed.

2002, c. 26, s. 2(1)

(3)The definition retransmitter in subsection 31(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Start of inserted block

retransmitter has the meaning assigned by the regulations; (retransmetteur)

End of inserted block

2002, c. 26, s. 2(3)

(4)Paragraph 31(3)‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • Start of inserted block

    (a)defining “retransmitter” for the purposes of this section;

    End of inserted block
  • Insertion start (a.‍1) Insertion end defining “local signal” and “distant signal” for the purposes of subsection (2); and

1992, c. 30

Referendum Act

35The portion of subsection 21(1) of the Referendum Act after paragraph (c) is replaced by the following:

shall, subject to the regulations made pursuant to that Act and to the conditions Insertion start imposed on it under section 9.‍1 of that Act Insertion end , make available, at no cost, to registered referendum committees for the transmission of referendum announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of those committees an aggregate of three hours of broadcasting time during prime time.

36Subsection 24(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Free time not commercial time

(2) Insertion start Despite Insertion end subsection 21(1), the Broadcasting Act, any regulations made under that Act and any conditions Insertion start imposed on Insertion end a network operator Insertion start under section 9.‍1 of that Act Insertion end , free broadcasting time shall not be considered to be commercial time.

2000, c. 9

Canada Elections Act

2001, c. 21, s. 17

37Subsection 335(1) of the Canada Elections Act is replaced by the following:

Broadcasting time provided to registered parties

335(1)In the period beginning on the issue of the writs for a general election and ending at midnight on the day before polling day, every broadcaster shall, subject to the regulations made under the Broadcasting Act and the conditions Insertion start imposed on it under section 9.‍1 of that Act Insertion end , make available, for purchase by all registered parties for the transmission of political announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of the registered parties, six and one-half hours of broadcasting time during prime time on its facilities.

38Subsection 339(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:

Broadcasting time provided to new eligible parties

(3)In addition to the broadcasting time to be made available under section 335, and within the period referred to in that section, every broadcaster shall, subject to the regulations made under the Broadcasting Act and to the conditions Insertion start imposed on it under section 9.‍1 of that Act Insertion end , make available, for purchase by every eligible party entitled to broadcasting time under this section, broadcasting time in the amount determined under this section for the eligible party for the transmission of political announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of the eligible party during prime time on that broadcaster’s facilities.

2001, c. 21, s. 18

39The portion of subsection 345(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

Free broadcasting time

345(1)In the period beginning on the issue of the writs for a general election and ending at midnight on the day before polling day at that election, every network operator shall, subject to the regulations made under the Broadcasting Act and to the conditions Insertion start imposed on it under section 9.‍1 of that Act Insertion end , make available, at no cost, to the registered parties and eligible parties referred to in subsection (2), for the transmission of political announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of those parties, broadcasting time as determined under that subsection if the network formed and operated by the network operator

2019, c. 10

Accessible Canada Act

40Paragraph 42(1)‍(b) of the Accessible Canada Act is replaced by the following:

  • (b)the conditions Insertion start imposed on Insertion end the regulated entity under Insertion start section 9.‍1 Insertion end of the Broadcasting Act that relate to the identification and removal of barriers and the prevention of new barriers;

41Paragraph 118(3)‍(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:

  • (a)a condition Insertion start imposed under section 9.‍1 Insertion end of the Broadcasting Act;

Transitional Provisions

Definitions

42(1)The following definitions apply in this section and sections 43 to 46.

new Act means the Broadcasting Act as it reads as of the royal assent day.‍ (nouvelle loi)

old Act means the Broadcasting Act as it read immediately before the royal assent day.‍ (ancienne loi)

royal assent day means the day on which this Act receives royal assent.‍ (date de sanction)

Words and expressions

(2)Unless otherwise provided, words and expressions used in sections 43 to 46 have the same meanings as in the Broadcasting Act.

Conditions and requirements — deemed order

43(1)Each of the following is deemed to be a condition imposed under an order, made under section 9.‍1 of the new Act, that applies only with respect to a particular licensee:

  • (a)a condition of their licence imposed under section 9 of the old Act that, as of the royal assent day, could not be made the subject of an order under subsection 11.‍1(2) of the new Act;

  • (b)a requirement imposed on the licensee under any of paragraphs 9(1)‍(f) to (h) of the old Act.

Regulations — deemed order

(2)Any regulation made under paragraph 10(1)‍(a) or 10(1)‍(i) of the old Act is deemed to be an order made under section 9.‍1 of the new Act.

Expenditures — deemed regulations

44(1)The following are deemed to be regulations made under subsection 11.‍1(1) of the new Act:

  • (a)any terms and conditions imposed under an order made under subsection 9(4) of the old Act that, as of the royal assent day, could be the subject of such regulations; and

  • (b)any regulations made under subsection 10(1) of the old Act that, as of the royal assent day, could be made under subsection 11.‍1(1) of the new Act.

Expenditures — deemed order

(2)Any condition of a licensee’s licence that, as of the royal assent day, could be made the subject of an order under subsection 11.‍1(2) of the new Act is deemed to be a provision of such an order that applies only with respect to the licensee.

Section 28

45(1)Section 28 of the old Act continues to apply with respect to any decision of the Commission to issue, amend or renew a licence that is made before the royal assent day.

Interim licences

(2)A person is not permitted to make a petition — and the Governor in Council is not permitted to make an order — under subsection 28(1) of the new Act with respect to a decision to renew a licence made by the Commission during the transition period if the Commission specifies, in renewing that licence, that it is an interim licence and if its term is for no more than one year.

Definition of transition period

(3)In subsection (2), transition period means the period beginning on the royal assent day and ending on the second anniversary of that day.

Validation of expenditures

46(1)The expenditures described in subsection (2) are deemed to have been validly required by the Commission under the old Act.

Expenditures

(2)Subsection (1) applies with respect to the expenditures — including, for greater certainty, the contributions — that were made by a broadcasting undertaking before the royal assent day under

  • (a)a condition of a licence issued under the old Act;

  • (b)a term or condition of an order made under subsection 9(4) of that Act; or

  • (c)regulations made under section 10 of that Act.

Coming into Force

Subsections 34(2) to (4)

47Subsections 34(2) to (4) come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.

Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons



EXPLANATORY NOTES

Broadcasting Act
Clause 1: (1)Existing text of the definitions:

broadcasting means any transmission of programs, whether or not encrypted, by radio waves or other means of telecommunication for reception by the public by means of broadcasting receiving apparatus, but does not include any such transmission of programs that is made solely for performance or display in a public place; (radiodiffusion)

broadcasting undertaking includes a distribution undertaking, a programming undertaking and a network; (entreprise de radiodiffusion)

distribution undertaking means an undertaking for the reception of broadcasting and the retransmission thereof by radio waves or other means of telecommunication to more than one permanent or temporary residence or dwelling unit or to another such undertaking; (entreprise de distribution)

network includes any operation where control over all or any part of the programs or program schedules of one or more broadcasting undertakings is delegated to another undertaking or person; (réseau)

programming undertaking means an undertaking for the transmission of programs, either directly by radio waves or other means of telecommunication or indirectly through a distribution undertaking, for reception by the public by means of broadcasting receiving apparatus; (entreprise de programmation)

(2)New.
(3)New.
Clause 2: (1) to (6)Relevant portion of subsection 3(1):

3(1)It is hereby declared as the broadcasting policy for Canada that

  • (a)the Canadian broadcasting system shall be effectively owned and controlled by Canadians;

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (d)the Canadian broadcasting system should

    • .‍.‍. 

    • (ii)encourage the development of Canadian expression by providing a wide range of programming that reflects Canadian attitudes, opinions, ideas, values and artistic creativity, by displaying Canadian talent in entertainment programming and by offering information and analysis concerning Canada and other countries from a Canadian point of view,

    • (iii)through its programming and the employment opportunities arising out of its operations, serve the needs and interests, and reflect the circumstances and aspirations, of Canadian men, women and children, including equal rights, the linguistic duality and multicultural and multiracial nature of Canadian society and the special place of aboriginal peoples within that society, and

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (f)each broadcasting undertaking shall make maximum use, and in no case less than predominant use, of Canadian creative and other resources in the creation and presentation of programming, unless the nature of the service provided by the undertaking, such as specialized content or format or the use of languages other than French and English, renders that use impracticable, in which case the undertaking shall make the greatest practicable use of those resources;

  • (g)the programming originated by broadcasting undertakings should be of high standard;

  • (h)all persons who are licensed to carry on broadcasting undertakings have a responsibility for the programs they broadcast;

  • (i)the programming provided by the Canadian broadcasting system should

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (k)a range of broadcasting services in English and in French shall be extended to all Canadians as resources become available;

  • (l)the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, as the national public broadcaster, should provide radio and television services incorporating a wide range of programming that informs, enlightens and entertains;

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (o)programming that reflects the aboriginal cultures of Canada should be provided within the Canadian broadcasting system as resources become available for the purpose;

  • (p)programming accessible by disabled persons should be provided within the Canadian broadcasting system as resources become available for the purpose;

  • (q)without limiting any obligation of a broadcasting undertaking to provide the programming contemplated by paragraph (i), alternative television programming services in English and in French should be provided where necessary to ensure that the full range of programming contemplated by that paragraph is made available through the Canadian broadcasting system;

  • (r)the programming provided by alternative television programming services should

    • (i)be innovative and be complementary to the programming provided for mass audiences,

    • (ii)cater to tastes and interests not adequately provided for by the programming provided for mass audiences, and include programming devoted to culture and the arts,

    • (iii)reflect Canada’s regions and multicultural nature,

    • (iv)as far as possible, be acquired rather than produced by those services, and

    • (v)be made available throughout Canada by the most cost-efficient means;

  • (s)private networks and programming undertakings should, to an extent consistent with the financial and other resources available to them,

    • (i)contribute significantly to the creation and presentation of Canadian programming, and

    • (ii)be responsive to the evolving demands of the public; and

Clause 3:New.
Clause 4: (1) to (3)Relevant portion of subsection 5(2):

(2)The Canadian broadcasting system should be regulated and supervised in a flexible manner that

  • (a)is readily adaptable to the different characteristics of English and French language broadcasting and to the different conditions under which broadcasting undertakings that provide English or French language programming operate;

Clause 5: (1)Existing text of subsections 8(2) and (3):

(2)Where a proposed order is laid before a House of Parliament pursuant to subsection (1), it shall stand referred to such committee thereof as the House considers appropriate to deal with the subject-matter of the order.

(3)The Governor in Council may, after the expiration of forty sitting days of Parliament after a proposed order is laid before both Houses of Parliament in accordance with subsection (1), implement the proposal by making an order under section 7, either in the form proposed or revised in such manner as the Governor in Council deems advisable.

(2)Existing text of subsection 8(5):

(5)In this section, sitting day of Parliament means a day on which either House of Parliament sits.

Clause 6: (1) and (2)Existing text of section 9:

9(1)Subject to this Part, the Commission may, in furtherance of its objects,

  • (a)establish classes of licences;

  • (b)issue licences for such terms not exceeding seven years and subject to such conditions related to the circumstances of the licensee

    • (i)as the Commission deems appropriate for the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1), and

    • (ii)in the case of licences issued to the Corporation, as the Commission deems consistent with the provision, through the Corporation, of the programming contemplated by paragraphs 3(1)‍(l) and (m);

  • (c)amend any condition of a licence on application of the licensee or, where five years have expired since the issuance or renewal of the licence, on the Commission’s own motion;

  • (d)issue renewals of licences for such terms not exceeding seven years and subject to such conditions as comply with paragraph (b);

  • (e)suspend or revoke any licence;

  • (f)require any licensee to obtain the approval of the Commission before entering into any contract with a telecommunications common carrier for the distribution of programming directly to the public using the facilities of that common carrier;

  • (g)require any licensee who is authorized to carry on a distribution undertaking to give priority to the carriage of broadcasting; and

  • (h)require any licensee who is authorized to carry on a distribution undertaking to carry, on such terms and conditions as the Commission deems appropriate, programming services specified by the Commission.

(2)Notwithstanding subsections (1) and 28(3), no licence of a distribution undertaking may be made subject to a condition that requires the licensee to substitute replacement material for commercial messages carried in a broadcasting signal received by that licensee.

(3)Subsection (2) does not apply in respect of a condition of a licence renewed after October 4, 1987 where before that date the licensee was complying with such a condition.

(4)The Commission shall, by order, on such terms and conditions as it deems appropriate, exempt persons who carry on broadcasting undertakings of any class specified in the order from any or all of the requirements of this Part or of a regulation made under this Part where the Commission is satisfied that compliance with those requirements will not contribute in a material manner to the implementation of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1).

Clause 7:New.
Clause 8: (1) to (9)Existing text of subsection 10(1):

10(1)The Commission may, in furtherance of its objects, make regulations

  • (a)respecting the proportion of time that shall be devoted to the broadcasting of Canadian programs;

  • (b)prescribing what constitutes a Canadian program for the purposes of this Act; 

  • (c)respecting standards of programs and the allocation of broadcasting time for the purpose of giving effect to the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1);

  • (d)respecting the character of advertising and the amount of broadcasting time that may be devoted to advertising;

  • (e)respecting the proportion of time that may be devoted to the broadcasting of programs, including advertisements or announcements, of a partisan political character and the assignment of that time on an equitable basis to political parties and candidates;

  • (f)prescribing the conditions for the operation of programming undertakings as part of a network and for the broadcasting of network programs, and respecting the broadcasting times to be reserved for network programs by any such undertakings;

  • (g)respecting the carriage of any foreign or other programming services by distribution undertakings;

  • (h)for resolving, by way of mediation or otherwise, any disputes arising between programming undertakings and distribution undertakings concerning the carriage of programming originated by the programming undertakings;

  • (i)requiring licensees to submit to the Commission such information regarding their programs and financial affairs or otherwise relating to the conduct and management of their affairs as the regulations may specify;

  • (j)respecting the audit or examination of the records and books of account of licensees by the Commission or persons acting on behalf of the Commission; and

  • (k)respecting such other matters as it deems necessary for the furtherance of its objects.

(10)Existing text of subsections 10(2) and (3):

(2)A regulation made under this section may be made applicable to all persons holding licences or to all persons holding licences of one or more classes.

(3)A copy of each regulation that the Commission proposes to make under this section shall be published in the Canada Gazette and a reasonable opportunity shall be given to licensees and other interested persons to make representations to the Commission with respect thereto.

Clause 9: (1) to (3)Existing text of subsection 11(1):

11(1)The Commission may make regulations

  • (a)with the approval of the Treasury Board, establishing schedules of fees to be paid by licensees of any class;

  • (b)providing for the establishment of classes of licensees for the purposes of paragraph (a);

  • (c)providing for the payment of any fees payable by a licensee, including the time and manner of payment;

  • (d)respecting the interest payable by a licensee in respect of any overdue fee; and

  • (e)respecting such other matters as it deems necessary for the purposes of this section.

(4) to (10)Existing text of subsections 11(2) to (5):

(2)Regulations made under paragraph (1)‍(a) may provide for fees to be calculated by reference to any criteria that the Commission deems appropriate, including by reference to

  • (a)the revenues of the licensees;

  • (b)the performance of the licensees in relation to objectives established by the Commission, including objectives for the broadcasting of Canadian programs; and

  • (c)the market served by the licensees.

(3)No regulations made under subsection (1) shall apply to the Corporation or to licensees carrying on programming undertakings on behalf of Her Majesty in right of a province.

(4)Fees payable by a licensee under this section and any interest thereon constitute a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be recovered as such in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(5)A copy of each regulation that the Commission proposes to make under this section shall be published in the Canada Gazette and a reasonable opportunity shall be given to licensees and other interested persons to make representations to the Commission with respect thereto.

Clause 10:New
Clause 11:Existing text of subsection 12(1):

12(1)Where it appears to the Commission that

  • (a)any person has failed to do any act or thing that the person is required to do pursuant to this Part or to any regulation, licence, decision or order made or issued by the Commission under this Part, or has done or is doing any act or thing in contravention of this Part or of any such regulation, licence, decision or order,

  • (a.‍1)any person has done or is doing any act or thing in contravention of section 34.‍1,

  • (a.‍2)any person has failed to do any act or thing that the person is required to do under sections 42 to 44 of the Accessible Canada Act or has done or is doing any act or thing in contravention of any of those sections, or

  • (b)the circumstances may require the Commission to make any decision or order or to give any approval that it is authorized to make or give under this Part or under any regulation or order made under this Part,

the Commission may inquire into, hear and determine the matter.

Clause 12:Relevant portion of subsection 18(1):

18(1)Except where otherwise provided, the Commission shall hold a public hearing in connection with

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (c)the establishing of any performance objectives for the purposes of paragraph 11(2)‍(b); and

Clause 13:Existing text of section 21:

21The Commission may make rules

  • (a)respecting the procedure for making applications for licences, or for the amendment, renewal, suspension or revocation thereof, and for making representations and complaints to the Commission; and

  • (b)respecting the conduct of hearings and generally respecting the conduct of the business of the Commission in relation to those hearings.

Clause 14:Existing text of subsections 23(1) to (3):

23(1)The Commission shall, at the request of the Corporation, consult with the Corporation with regard to any conditions that the Commission proposes to attach to any licence issued or to be issued to the Corporation.

(2)If, notwithstanding the consultation provided for in subsection (1), the Commission attaches any condition to a licence referred to in subsection (1) that the Corporation is satisfied would unreasonably impede the Corporation in providing the programming contemplated by paragraphs 3(1)‍(l) and (m), the Corporation may, within thirty days after the decision of the Commission, refer the condition to the Minister for consideration.

(3)Subject to subsection (4), the Minister may, within ninety days after a condition is referred to the Minister under subsection (2), issue to the Commission a written directive with respect to the condition and the Commission shall comply with any such directive issued by the Minister.

Clause 15:Relevant portion of subsection 24(1):

24(1)No licence shall be suspended or revoked under this Part unless the licensee applies for or consents to the suspension or revocation or, in any other case, unless, after a public hearing in accordance with section 18, the Commission is satisfied that

  • (a)the licensee has contravened or failed to comply with any condition of the licence or with any order made under subsection 12(2) or any regulation made under this Part; or

Clause 16:Existing text of subsection 25(1):

25(1)Where the Commission is satisfied, after a public hearing on the matter, that the Corporation has contravened or failed to comply with any condition of a licence referred to in the schedule, any order made under subsection 12(2) or any regulation made under this Part, the Commission shall forward to the Minister a report setting out the circumstances of the alleged contravention or failure, the findings of the Commission and any observations or recommendations of the Commission in connection therewith.

Clause 17:New.
Clause 18: (1)Existing text of subsection 28(1):

28(1)Where the Commission makes a decision to issue, amend or renew a licence, the Governor in Council may, within ninety days after the date of the decision, on petition in writing of any person received within forty-five days after that date or on the Governor in Council’s own motion, by order, set aside the decision or refer the decision back to the Commission for reconsideration and hearing of the matter by the Commission, if the Governor in Council is satisfied that the decision derogates from the attainment of the objectives of the broadcasting policy set out in subsection 3(1).

(2)Relevant portion of subsection 28(3):

(3)Where a decision is referred back to the Commission under this section, the Commission shall reconsider the matter and, after a hearing as provided for by subsection (1), may

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (b)rescind the issue of the licence and issue a licence on the same or different conditions to another person; or

(3)Existing text of subsections 28(4) and (5):

(4)Where, pursuant to paragraph (3)‍(c), the Commission confirms a decision or the issue, amendment or renewal of a licence, the Governor in Council may, within sixty days after the confirmation, on petition in writing of any person received within thirty days after that date or on the Governor in Council’s own motion, by order, set aside the decision or the issue, amendment or renewal, if the Governor in Council is satisfied as to any of the matters referred to in subsection (1).

(5)An order made under subsection (4) to set aside a decision or the issue, amendment or renewal of a licence shall set out the reasons of the Governor in Council therefor.

Clause 19: (1)Existing text of subsection 29(1):

29(1)Every person who petitions the Governor in Council under subsection 28(1) or (4) shall at the same time send a copy of the petition to the Commission.

(2)Existing text of subsection 29(3):

(3)The Commission shall establish and maintain a public register in which shall be kept a copy of each petition received by the Commission under subsection 28(1) or (4).

Clause 20:New.
Clause 21:Existing text of sections 32 to 34:

32(1)Every person who, not being exempt from the requirement to hold a licence, carries on a broadcasting undertaking without a licence therefor is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable

  • (a)in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand dollars for each day that the offence continues; or

  • (b)in the case of a corporation, to a fine not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars for each day that the offence continues.

(2)Every person who contravenes or fails to comply with any regulation or order made under this Part is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and is liable

  • (a)in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding twenty-five thousand dollars for a first offence and not exceeding fifty thousand dollars for each subsequent offence; or

  • (b)in the case of a corporation, to a fine not exceeding two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for a first offence and not exceeding five hundred thousand dollars for each subsequent offence.

33Every person who contravenes or fails to comply with any condition of a licence issued to the person is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction.

34Proceedings for an offence under subsection 32(2) or section 33, may be instituted within, but not after, two years after the time when the subject-matter of the proceedings arose.

Clause 22:New.
Clause 23:New.
Clause 24: (1)Existing text of subsection 38(1):

38(1)A person is not eligible to be appointed or to continue as a director if the person is not a Canadian citizen who is ordinarily resident in Canada or if, directly or indirectly, as owner, shareholder, director, officer, partner or otherwise, the person

  • (a)is engaged in the operation of a broadcasting undertaking;

  • (b)has any pecuniary or proprietary interest in a broadcasting undertaking; or

  • (c)is principally engaged in the production or distribution of program material that is primarily intended for use by a broadcasting undertaking.

(2)New.
Clause 25: (1) and (2)Relevant portion of subsection 46(1):

46(1)The Corporation is established for the purpose of providing the programming contemplated by paragraphs 3(1)‍(l) and (m), in accordance with the conditions of any licence or licences issued to it by the Commission and subject to any applicable regulations of the Commission, and for that purpose the Corporation may

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (b)make operating agreements with licensees for the broadcasting of programs;

(3)Existing text of subsections 46(2) and (3):

(2)The Corporation shall, within the conditions of any licence or licences issued to it by the Commission and subject to any applicable regulations of the Commission, provide an international service in accordance with such directions as the Governor in Council may issue.

(3)The Corporation may, within the conditions of any licence or licences issued to it by the Commission and subject to any applicable regulations of the Commission, act as an agent of Her Majesty in right of Canada or a province in respect of any broadcasting operations that it may be directed by the Governor in Council to carry out.

Clause 26:Existing text of subsection 51(1):

51(1)The Board may make by-laws

  • (a)respecting the calling of meetings of the Board;

  • (b)respecting the conduct of business at meetings of the Board, the establishment of special and standing committees of directors, the delegation of duties to special and standing committees of directors, including the committees referred to in section 45, and the fixing of quorums for meetings thereof;

  • (c)fixing the fees to be paid to directors, other than the Chairperson and the President, for attendance at meetings of the Board or any committee of directors, and the travel and living expenses to be paid to directors;

  • (d)respecting the duties and conduct of the directors, officers and employees of the Corporation and the terms and conditions of employment and of termination of employment of officers and employees of the Corporation, including the payment of any gratuity to those officers and employees or any one or more of them, whether by way of retirement allowance or otherwise;

  • (e)respecting the establishment, management and administration of a pension fund for the directors, officers and employees of the Corporation and their dependants, the contributions thereto to be made by the Corporation and the investment of the pension fund moneys thereof; and

  • (f)generally for the conduct and management of the affairs of the Corporation.

An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy by regulating certain activities that discourage reliance on electronic means of carrying out commercial activities, and to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act
Clause 27:Existing text of section 5:

5This Act does not apply in respect of broadcasting by a broadcasting undertaking, as those terms are defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act.

Clause 28:New.
Clause 29:Relevant portion of subsection 10(9):

(9)Consent is implied for the purpose of section 6 only if

Cannabis Act
Clause 30:Relevant portion of subsection 23(2):

(2)Subsection (1) does not apply

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (b)in respect of broadcasting, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act, by a distribution undertaking, as defined in that subsection 2(1), that is lawful under that Act, other than the broadcasting of a promotion that is inserted by the distribution undertaking; and

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act
Clause 32:New.
Copyright Act
Clause 33:Existing text of subsection 30.‍8(11):

(11)In this section, programming undertaking means

  • (a)a programming undertaking as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act;

  • (b)a programming undertaking described in paragraph (a) that originates programs within a network, as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act; or

  • (c)a distribution undertaking as defined in subsection 2(1) of the Broadcasting Act, in respect of the programs that it originates.

The undertaking must hold a broadcasting licence issued by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission under the Broadcasting Act, or be exempted from this requirement by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Clause 34: (1) and (2)Existing text of the definition:

new media retransmitter means a person whose retransmission is lawful under the Broadcasting Act only by reason of the Exemption Order for New Media Broadcasting Undertakings issued by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission as Appendix A to Public Notice CRTC 1999-197, as amended from time to time; (retransmetteur de nouveaux médias)

(3)Existing text of the definition:

retransmitter means a person who performs a function comparable to that of a cable retransmission system, but does not include a new media retransmitter; (retransmetteur)

(4)Relevant portion of subsection 31(3):

(3)The Governor in Council may make regulations

  • (a)defining “local signal” and “distant signal” for the purposes of subsection (2); and

Referendum Act
Clause 35:Relevant portion of subsection 21(1):

21(1)In the period beginning on Thursday, the eighteenth day before polling day, and ending on the second day before polling day, every network operator

  • .‍.‍.

shall, subject to the regulations made pursuant to that Act and to the conditions of its licence, make available, at no cost, to registered referendum committees for the transmission of referendum announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of those committees an aggregate of three hours of broadcasting time during prime time.

Clause 36:Existing text of subsection 24(2):

(2)Notwithstanding subsection 21(1), the Broadcasting Act, any regulations made under that Act and any conditions of a licence of a network operator, free broadcasting time shall not be considered to be commercial time.

Canada Elections Act
Clause 37:Existing text of subsection 335(1):

335(1)In the period beginning on the issue of the writs for a general election and ending at midnight on the day before polling day, every broadcaster shall, subject to the regulations made under the Broadcasting Act and the conditions of its licence, make available, for purchase by all registered parties for the transmission of political announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of the registered parties, six and one-half hours of broadcasting time during prime time on its facilities.

Clause 38:Existing text of subsection 339(3):

(3)In addition to the broadcasting time to be made available under section 335, and within the period referred to in that section, every broadcaster shall, subject to the regulations made under the Broadcasting Act and to the conditions of its licence, make available, for purchase by every eligible party entitled to broadcasting time under this section, broadcasting time in the amount determined under this section for the eligible party for the transmission of political announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of the eligible party during prime time on that broadcaster’s facilities.

Clause 39:Relevant portion of subsection 345(1):

345(1)In the period beginning on the issue of the writs for a general election and ending at midnight on the day before polling day at that election, every network operator shall, subject to the regulations made under the Broadcasting Act and to the conditions of its licence, make available, at no cost, to the registered parties and eligible parties referred to in subsection (2), for the transmission of political announcements and other programming produced by or on behalf of those parties, broadcasting time as determined under that subsection if the network formed and operated by the network operator

Accessible Canada Act
Clause 40:Relevant portion of subsection 42(1):

42(1)A regulated entity that carries on a broadcasting undertaking must, before the expiry of one year after the day fixed or determined by regulations made under subsection 45(1) that apply to that regulated entity, prepare and publish, in accordance with this Act and regulations made under that subsection, an accessibility plan respecting

  • .‍.‍. 

  • (b)the conditions of the regulated entity’s licence issued under Part II of the Broadcasting Act that relate to the identification and removal of barriers and the prevention of new barriers;

Clause 41:Relevant portion of subsection 118(3):

(3)Regulations made under subsection 117(1) that are in relation to the identification, prevention and removal of barriers in an area referred to in paragraph 5(g) do not apply in respect of a regulated entity that carries on a broadcasting undertaking if requirements in relation to the identification, prevention and removal of barriers in that area apply to the regulated entity under

  • (a)a condition of a licence issued under Part II of the Broadcasting Act;


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