CHPC Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage met in camera at 3:30 p.m. this day, in Room 8-53, 131 Queen St., the Chair, the Hon. Michael D. Chong, presiding.

It was agreed, — That the Committee proceed to sit in public.

Roger Pomerleau moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee send for the executive of the Canadian Tourism Commission to appear and explain in what way the Commission meets the eligibility criteria of the Marquee Tourism Events Program, from which it has obtained $8 million; and,

That the Committee, then report its comments and observations to the House at the earliest opportunity.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 4.

Roger Pomerleau moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) the Committee on Canadian Heritage invite the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of International Trade, or their representatives, the Coalition for Cultural Diversity and any other relevant witness(es) to appear before the Committee and inform it of the progress of the negotiations on a free trade agreement with the European Union, particularly to ensure that any such agreement will respect the treaty on cultural diversity promoted and signed by Canada, and that the Committee report to the House accordingly.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived.

Scott Simms moved, — That the Standing Committee of Canadian Heritage, within its current study on Emerging and Digital Media: Opportunities and Challenges, invites small and independent broadcasters to testify of the future of independent broadcasting in Canada.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived.

Charlie Angus moved, — That given the dramatic ownership changes in the private television sector and the increasing move towards digital, mobile and next-generation viewing platforms that the Heritage committee examine: 1) the implications of increasing vertical integration between large content providers and ISP-mobile phone carriers; 2) the role and viability of small broadcasters; 3) the role of the CBC in an increasingly changed media viewing landscape; 4) the role of the CRTC in ensuring diversity of voices in a changing media landscape and; 5) the role of the Canada Media Fund and other funding mechanisms in ensuring the success of new programming on next generation media platforms.

Charlie Angus moved, — That the motion be amended by adding after the word “of small” the following: “and independent television”.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the amendment of Charlie Angus, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That given the dramatic ownership changes in the private television sector and the increasing move towards digital, mobile and next-generation viewing platforms that the Heritage committee examine: 1) the implications of increasing vertical integration between large content providers and ISP-mobile phone carriers; 2) the role and viability of small and independant television broadcasters; 3) the role of the CBC in an increasingly changed media viewing landscape; 4) the role of the CRTC in ensuring diversity of voices in a changing media landscape and; 5) the role of the Canada Media Fund and other funding mechanisms in ensuring the success of new programming on next generation media platforms.

At 4:03 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 4:03 p.m., the sitting resumed in camera.

At 4:31 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.