The federal budget proposes $8.5-million over two years for the CRTC to establish a new legislative and regulatory regime to oversee the Online News Act
Former leaders of Canada’s broadcasting and telecom regulator say the body is not equipped to oversee the implementation of the federal government’s legislation requiring major tech giants, such as Google and Facebook, to pay Canadian media outlets for news content that appears on their platforms.
However, critics are concerned about the role of the CRTC. Konrad von Finckenstein, who was CRTC chairman from 2007 to 2012, said the proposed responsibilities for the CRTC under the bill, known as C-18, are not in an administrative tribunal’s “wheelhouse.” The CRTC regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications, and its mandate clearly stipulates that it does not intervene in newspapers or magazines. Mr.
“That’s shocking that they think they could go that far,” said Mr. Menzies, who was vice-chair from 2013 to 2017. “Trust levels in institutions are dropping everywhere and it’s very, very important for media to have high public trust levels. ... Government nosing around, however benignly they say they are doing it, is just not a good look.”
Law professor Michael Geist said that means the issue would be better resolved through the Competition Bureau rather than the “cultural regulator.” The bureau is an independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competition for the benefit of Canadian consumers and businesses. The CRTC said it was not in a position to grant an interview with current chairman Ian Scott, and directed questions about C-18 to Canadian Heritage. A spokesperson for Mr. Rodriguez said the CRTC knows how to administer a similar arbitration system in broadcasting, adding that the tribunal’s role will be “fairly light-touch.”
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