With Bill C-11 on the verge of becoming law, Senate Conservatives decry gov't debate cut-off plans

As the Senate prepares to pass Bill C-11 after making history with the extent of its legislative study, the Conservatives are decrying the government for moving to limit the hours left to debate the legislation known as the Online Streaming Act.

As the Senate prepares to pass Bill C-11 after making history with the extent of its legislative study, the Conservatives are decrying the government for moving to limit the hours left to debate the legislation known as the Online Streaming Act.

Calling it one last "censorship measure" before the bill becomes law, Leader of the Opposition Sen. Don Plett said Monday that the government's plan to use time allocation to conclude debate in the next day or so is "a slap in the face" to Canadians who have concerns with Bill C-11 and to all senators who tried to improve it.

Bill C-11 proposes the first substantive updates to Canada's Broadcasting Act since 1991, before online content or digital media was a factor. It is aimed at ensuring social media and streaming giants are subjected to Canadian content requirements and regulations comparable to traditional broadcasters, and as a result promote and pay their fair share towards Canadian creators. 

While many in the "CanCon" music, film and television industries are backing the bill, alarms have been sounded by critics— including the platforms that would find themselves subjected to new regulations— that the Liberal proposal could have knock-on effects for content creators and what everyday users see online, due to provisions that would compel platforms to promote Canadian content.

After years of discussion, study, and modifications to the initial piece of legislation, last month the House of Commons decided it would take most, but not all, of the amendments made by the Senate during its history-making committee study of Bill C-11. Canadian Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez told the Senate as much in late March. 

Last week, Government Representative in the Senate, Sen. Marc Gold presented a motion that would see the Senate accept the version of Bill C-11 that the House of Commons signed off on. 

The presentation of Gold's proposal was followed by hours of debate and procedural wrangling around amendments to it.