S-220
First Session, Forty-first Parliament,
60-61-62 Elizabeth II, 2011-2012-2013
SENATE OF CANADA
BILL S-220
An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act (directives to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
first reading, June 13, 2013
THE HONOURABLE SENATOR DE BANÉ, P.C.
1313
SUMMARY
The enactment proposes to amend the Broadcasting Act to grant to the government and to Parliament the power to require the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to undertake certain actions for the implementation of the Broadcasting Policy for Canada. Some proposed directives could affect the independence of the Corporation as provided in that Act.
Available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
1st Session, 41st Parliament,
60-61-62 Elizabeth II, 2011-2012-2013
senate of canada
BILL S-220
An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act (directives to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada enacts as follows:
1991, c. 11
BROADCASTING ACT
1. The Broadcasting Act is amended by adding the following after section 46.1:
GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVE
Minister’s directive
46.2 (1) The Minister may, after consultation with the President and with the approval of the Governor in Council, give to the President a written directive concerning the implementation of the Broadcasting Policy for Canada, in specific terms and applicable for a specified period, and the Corporation shall comply with that directive.
Publication and report
(2) A directive given under this section shall be published forthwith in the Canada Gazette and shall be laid before Parliament within fifteen days after the giving thereof, or, if Parliament is not then sitting, on any of the first fifteen days next thereafter that either House of Parliament is sitting.
PARLIAMENTARY DIRECTIVE
Resolution of both Houses
46.3 By a resolution of both Houses of Parliament introduced and passed in accordance with the rules of those Houses, a directive may be given in writing to the President concerning the implementation of the Broadcasting Policy for Canada, in specific terms and applicable for a specified period, and the Corporation shall comply with that directive.
Contents of directives
46.4 Despite subsection 46(5), a directive given under section 46.2 or 46.3 may concern the following subjects:
(a) the Corporation’s image and branding;
(b) coverage of news from across the country, including coverage from a national perspective, in both English and French;
(c) coverage of all aspects of the Canadian reality, in both English and French;
(d) increased cooperation between the Corporation’s two networks; and
(e) support for the work of researchers in journalism and communications.
Published under authority of the Senate of CanadaAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada
Explanatory Notes
Broadcasting Act
Clause 1: New.