Bill C-11 to modernize the Broadcasting Act to include Internet streaming platforms such as Youtube and Spotify passed the House of Commons on Tuesday and will be sent to the Senate.
The Liberals were able to count on the support of the New Democrats and the Bloc, despite the opposition of the Conservatives. According to the preliminary count, 208 deputies voted in favor and 117 against.
Justin Trudeau’s government has repeatedly signaled in recent days that this piece of legislation is a priority for him, accusing the Conservatives of filibustering to slow the progress of the parliamentary study of C-11.
Last week, the Liberals therefore passed, together with the New Democratic Party (NDP), a motion shortening the time for debate on the bill. In particular, this forced the Heritage Committee to proceed with clause-by-clause consideration within very tight deadlines.
The heritage minister who is sponsoring the bill, Pablo Rodriguez, assured that he would not pressure senators to give C-11 their stamp of approval. “I have been meeting and listening to senators for months, and they want a full study of the bill. The Senate must be able to take the time it takes to study it,” he argued in a recent written statement.
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