Summary#

This bill changes the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act. It would require the CRTC to consult provincial governments before it regulates parts of the broadcasting system that affect Quebec’s cultural distinctiveness or French‑speaking markets in any province (Bill, s.1 adding CRTC Act s.12(1.1)). The bill sets a duty to consult, but it does not give provinces a veto or set rules for how to consult.

• Requires the CRTC to consult Quebec on matters tied to Quebec’s cultural distinctiveness (Bill, s.1).
• Requires the CRTC to consult each province on matters tied to French‑speaking markets in that province (Bill, s.1).
• Applies to broadcasting matters; it does not mention telecommunications.
• Sets no timelines, methods, or penalties for consultation.
• Adds no new funding, fees, or taxes.

What it means for you#

• Households (French‑speaking viewers and listeners)
  • No immediate change to services. The CRTC would need to hear from your provincial government before it makes broadcasting rules that affect French‑language markets. Timing depends on how the CRTC designs the consultation process (Bill, s.1).
• Workers in media and culture
  • Possible changes in how rules are developed for French‑language programming and markets. The bill adds a consultation step but does not set content quotas or funding levels (Bill, s.1).
• Broadcasters and online streaming services
  • When CRTC policies or decisions affect Quebec’s cultural distinctiveness or French‑language markets, the process would include provincial consultation. This may add steps and could affect timelines for new or revised rules (Bill, s.1).
• Provincial governments
  • Formal right to be consulted by the CRTC on broadcasting matters that affect French‑speaking markets in your province, and by Quebec on its cultural distinctiveness. Provinces would need capacity to respond within CRTC timelines (Bill, s.1).
• CRTC
  • Must set up and run consultations with Quebec and other provinces before acting on covered broadcasting matters. The bill does not define “consult,” timelines, or how to resolve disagreement (Bill, s.1).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No fiscal note identified. Data unavailable.
• The bill contains no appropriations, tax changes, or fees (Bill, s.1).
• Any cost would be administrative (staff time, meetings, translation) for the CRTC to run consultations. Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Gives Quebec and French‑speaking communities a formal voice before federal broadcasting rules are set, leading to policies that better reflect linguistic and cultural realities (Bill, s.1).
• Builds on existing federal policy that broadcasting should reflect Canada’s linguistic duality and support official language minority communities (Broadcasting Act, s.3(1)).
• Keeps federal authority intact; it requires consultation but does not grant a veto to provinces (Bill, s.1).
• Could improve rule quality by adding local market knowledge, especially for French‑language audiences outside Quebec (Bill, s.1).

Opponents' View#

• Could slow CRTC decisions because it adds a mandatory step without deadlines or a clear process (Bill, s.1).
• Uses broad terms (“cultural distinctiveness,” “French‑speaking markets”) that are undefined, which may create disputes about when consultation is required (Bill, s.1).
• May duplicate existing CRTC engagement and duties under the Broadcasting Act to reflect linguistic duality, adding red tape without clear benefit (Broadcasting Act, s.3(1)).
• Risk of uneven national policy if provincial input pulls in different directions, increasing uncertainty for broadcasters and online services (Bill, s.1).
• Lacks enforcement details; it is unclear what happens if the CRTC decides consultation is not required and proceeds anyway (Bill, s.1).