Quebec wants power over Broadcasting

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Quebec wants power over Broadcasting

Postby Jack Bennest » Mon Sep 29, 2008 3:32 pm

Liberals won't raise fines for language violations
Party takes middle-of-road approach. Provincial government to seek sweeping powers over broadcasting in Quebec
PHILIP AUTHIER, The Gazette
Published: Sunday, September 28
Quebec's Liberals yesterday opted for a middle-of-the- road approach to language and identity issues. They dropped plans for a big increase in fines for language-law violations but still plan to hire a greater number of what are being called "councillors," who will have the power to visit more merchants - including small mom-and-pop dépanneurs - than ever before.

The party is also proposing the province attempt to negotiate sweeping new powers over broadcasting in Quebec - to the point of having a veto power on all decisions affecting the province made by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

Premier Jean Charest has already said the province is once again interested in "cultural sovereignty," and yesterday the Liberals added the goal of having the CRTC make "the quality of the language spoken," a criteria in the issuing and renewal of broadcasting licences in Quebec.


In a debate that lasted less than 45 minutes and with barely a squeak of opposition, 400 members of the party's general council adopted new policies on language, identity and the constitution. The package is a leftover from its policy convention in March. The Liberals ran out of time then to adopt them.

Charest - absent from the debate - is expected to react to the resolutions in a speech and news conference today wrapping up the two-day council in this town across the river from Quebec City. The minister responsible for the language file, Christine St-Pierre, was also conspicuously absent. An aide later said St-Pierre was on a mission in Tokyo and her positions on language are already well known.

The measures were hatched in the wake of stories about the lack of French services in downtown Montreal malls and complaints too many workers are still working in English.

The Liberal adopted a series of motions designed to reinforce the role of the Office québécois de la langue française, which has as its mission the promotion of French and ensuring the Charter of the French Language is respected.

Specifically, the resolutions say Quebec will:

n Hire a greater number of "francisation councillors," who will teach merchants how to respect the charter, which requires them to provide service in French. The councillors will be making regular visits to as many businesses as they can.

n Take all necessary steps to defend the integrity of Quebec's language laws before the courts.

n Require the respect of Canada's Official Languages Law and call upon the federal government to restore the court challenges program used by minority groups to ensure their rights.

n Demand federal political parties commit themselves - if elected - to naming Supreme Court judges with a sufficient mastery of French to hear cases. When it comes to ambassadors, heads of Crown corporations and deputy ministers, the Liberals want them to be "perfectly bilingual."

As for the constitution, the party re-adopted it's previous platform calling for recognition of the province's "specificity," limits on federal spending powers, a reform of the Senate and the constitutional entrenchment of Quebec's powers over immigration.
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Jack Bennest
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Postby tuned » Sat Oct 04, 2008 1:20 am

You go Quebec! I think BC should be next to tell the CRTC hacks where to go.
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Postby David in North Burnaby » Sat Oct 04, 2008 8:45 pm

tuned wrote:You go Quebec! I think BC should be next to tell the CRTC hacks where to go.

Hear! Hear!
Have you thought of Allat and al-'Uzza and Manat the third, the other? These are the exalted Gharaniq, whose intercession is to be hoped for. (Q.53) Satan's Version

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Postby jon » Sat Oct 04, 2008 9:40 pm

I thought the whole question of federal v.s. provincial jurisdiction over broadcasting was settled a very long time ago.

The following is from the CCF's The History of Canadian Broadcast Regulation at http://www.broadcasting-history.ca

1931
By February, Quebec continues to oppose federal jurisdiction and introduces its own Radio Act designed to deal with issues related to the licensing of transmitters and receivers. On February 18th, the Federal Government decides to have the Supreme Court of Canada resolve the issue of federal versus provincial jurisdiction pertaining to the regulation and control of radio communications. Arguments in favor of provinces are based on the notion that broadcasting is "property and civil rights." In contrast, federal jurisdiction is based on idea that broadcasting, like transport is an "extra provincial" undertaking

On June 30th, the Supreme Court rules (3 to 2) in favor of the federal government, ands cites section 92(10)(a) of the BNA Act which states that Ottawa has the power to control all undertakings that connect the provinces or go beyond provincial boundaries (i.e. telegraph lines). Following this defeat, the Quebec government appeals this decision to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in London.

1932
The Privy Council in London affirms the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Re Regulation and control of Radio communication in Canada (Radio Reference) [1932] A.C. 304 (February 19, 1932) and rules in favour of the federal government, stating it has the authority to legislate for the "peace, order and good government of Canada" in areas that are not specifically covered in the BNA Act and has jurisdiction to regulate and control radio communication.
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Postby jon » Fri Oct 10, 2008 4:44 pm

As I was listening to W-14-40 this afternoon, I heard my favourite piece of EdCon: "Conquistador" by Procol Harum and the Edmonton Symphony. Why do so many DJs mispronounce the song title, to match the way it is sung?

Anyway, it got me to thinking that if the provinces start regulating, or at least getting a say in, broadcasting, that the next step will be for Cities and Counties also to have their stay.

The end result: as well as 35% CanCon, here in Edmonton, we'll have 15% AlCon and 5% EdCon requirements for local radio. And who knows what for television?
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