A page on the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) website that debunks “myths” about the recently passed online censorship law has drawn outrage for echoing Liberal government rhetoric.
In effect, Bill C-11 gives the CRTC the power to regulate online content posted by Canadians just as it regulates traditional broadcasting.
The CRTC’s webpage sounds like it was written by Minister of Canadian Heritage Pablo Rodriguez’ office, according to one critic.
“The myth and fact sheet might as well have been written by the minister,” said the executive director of Digital First, Scott Benzie.
“They are supposed to wait for the policy direction. They haven’t done that, which makes me feel that decisions have been made. They haven’t heard any evidence, and they have already made up their mind.”
Bill C-11 was passed last month despite concerns that it is an affront to free speech and extends government control over a wide swathe of content, including home videos posted by Canadians.
According to the CRTC’s “Myths and Facts about Bill C-11” the bill would do no such thing and only concentrate its efforts on regulating broadcasters.
However, the CRTC’s current assertions were contradicted last year by testimony from former chair Ian Scott.
While testifying before the House of Commons heritage committee, Scott said that a section of the bill would extend the CRTC’s regulatory powers to “user uploaded content.”
“[Section] 4.2 allows the CRTC to prescribe by regulation user uploaded content subject to very explicit criteria. That is also in the Act,” said Scott.
“The commission could, for example, issue certain rules with respect to discoverability, could perhaps issue rules…to respond to certain concerns on accessibility.”
