Bill passes second reading as Senate rises for the summer
By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – The path to adoption of the legislation to modernize the Broadcasting Act is very narrow, featuring roadblocks and tight turns, but the Minister of Canadian Heritage, according to the Globe and Mail still seems to be confident it will pass, despite the fact the Senate’s Transportation and Communications Committee has no meetings scheduled.
“We would appeal to senators to work diligently. This is a very important piece of legislation,” Mr. Guilbeault told the newspaper. “The more time passes, the more we’re delaying the entry into force of all the elements that are in Bill C-10.”
Of course, the Transportation and Communications Committee could meet during the summer months. The Parties, such as they exist in the Senate would have to agree. We should remember that the chair of that Committee is Michael L. MacDonald, a Conservative from Nova-Scotia.
Also, while everybody in Ottawa seems to think that there will be an election this summer or fall, they could all be wrong and the study in committee could then happen in the fall, when Parliament resumes, leading it to passage.
However, our expectation is many witnesses would be called to appear, and many amendments will be proposed and adopted. Then after the third reading, the bill would be sent to the House of Commons for conciliation between the House version and Senate version would be debated and be given final approval.
Of course, after an election, the bill could be reintroduced at the stage it was at, but that would require unanimous consent.
So, there’s still a chance for C-10, but the window is narrow.
