By
June 1, 2021
-Western Standard
The controversial bill that would allow the Liberals to censor the Internet seems set to fail – as Conservative MPs launch a filibuster, says Blacklock’s Reporter.
The Commons will adjourn for the summer before Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault’s YouTube regulation bill C-10 is finally dealt with, the Conservatives hope.
“I must say it is a disaster, this bill now, C-10,” Conservative MP Kevin Waugh (Saskatoon-Grasswood) told the Commons Heritage committee.
“We need to step back.
“Let’s face it, tomorrow is June 1. It may pass the House of Commons but it is not going to pass the Senate. There is no time in three-and-a-half weeks.”
Bill C-10 would grant the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission new powers to regulate privately-viewed YouTube videos as public broadcasts. It’s the first bill to regulate legal Internet content in Canada.
The bill has been in committee since February 19. The Commons is scheduled to adjourn June 23 for Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day observances in Québec and will not return until Monday, September 20.
Liberal MPs did not comment on the tenuous position of the bill.
“This is purely a filibuster,” MP Anthony Housefather (Mount Royal, Que.) earlier told the heritage committee.
“At this point, it is a deliberate attempt to filibuster the work of the committee and a deliberate attempt to thwart the work of the committee.”
Liberal MPs do not have the committee votes or procedural authority to quash any filibuster.
Conservative MP Rachael Harder (Lethbridge, Alta.) on Monday said Bill C-10 remains a threat to free expression for YouTube users who upload homemade content.
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