Predicts C-11 will pass through Senate largely unchanged
By Amanda Oye
MONT-TREMBLANT – Affordability is a big issue on the minds of members of parliament, Huw Williams (above, left), president of Impact Public Affairs told the audience of the 2022 Canadian Communication Systems Alliance Connect conference today.
Speaking in conversation with CCSA CEO Jay Thomson (right), Williams explained MPs are getting a lot of calls and emails from constituents who are concerned about affordability – including the affordability of their communications services.
“I think they care,” he said. “Where they get bogged down is how do they actually make something happen?”
Williams pointed out CCSA has already been successful at getting MPs to do more than just care about matters that concern its members.
“I don’t know if you’ve celebrated enough – you got the government’s attention squarely on the importance of funding rural broadband,” Williams said. “I think that the MPs got that message, they understood that message and they were able to push that message into the Cabinet decision-making.”
He pointed out there is potential for action to be taken on other matters of concern as well now, including competition in cable.
Williams called innovation minister François-Philippe Champagne “a minister of action”, explaining “he’s not somebody who sits around and wants to just give speeches on things he wants to change… That bodes well.” Furthermore, MPs, particularly Liberal MPs, are “prepared to step forward and put pressure on the ministers and departments universally,” Williams said, adding he does not think there has ever been a more important time for CCSA as an entity.
Williams also stressed the importance of CCSA and its members telling their stories.
“You have a great story to tell,” he said. “But it’s amplifying that story across the country and getting those members of parliament to recognize that you’ve got to share that desire for competition, that desire for your members to be part of that political mix with the minister and with the decision-making bodies.”
Williams pointed out it is “easy for MPs to hear from you and then not do anything.”
“They listened to you on broadband, I think cable is set for them to listen to you on competition. Canadian’s want it, and to the extent you can amplify it – what you’re hearing from consumers – that’s key as well.”
On Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, Williams predicted it is “largely going to pass through the Senate unchanged.” After that, the CRTC will face the challenge of implementing it, he pointed out, adding that it will be a big job, and the Commission is facing big expectations.
