Quebec Community Groups Network Brief to the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications Study on Matters Relating to Transport and Communications Generally: Local Services Provided by CBC November 27th, 2024 Introduction The Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) is a not-for-profit organization established in 1995 to advocate for the rights and vitality of Canada’s English linguistic minority communities, collective referred to as the English-speaking Community of Quebec (ESCQ). The QCGN connects individuals and organizations across the province, representing various sectors and regions.

Our mission focusses on research, policy development, and evidence-informed expertise to promote collective action within Quebec’s English-speaking community. It emphasizes community engagement and advocacy, working collaboratively to strengthen the institutional, political, and service infrastructures supporting English- speaking Quebecers. Canada’s English Linguistic Minority – The English-speaking Community of Quebec English-speaking Quebecers are individuals whose first official language spoken is English. 1 In Census 2021, our community’s population was 1.3 million people, or 14.9% of Quebec’s population.

We are by far Canada’s largest official language minority community (OLMC). There remain many stubborn myths related to English Quebec. For the purposes of this study, we will focus on one. The English-speaking Community of Quebec is not an extension of Canada’s English majority. The QCGN appeared before this Committee on November 6 th, 2014, during your study on the challenges faced by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in relation to the changing environment of broadcasting and communications. During that appearance, our Corporate Secretary at the time Mr.

Walter Duszara, testified that: …English -speaking Quebec, despite its heterogeneous nature, is a unique culture within Canada, and possesses an identity different from the majority society in which we live. We are not — nor do we wish to be — unassociated or unattached in Quebec; we are integrationists by nature.

But we are particular and special, and have always been recognized as such, from Canada's beginnings 150 years ago. 2 English-speaking Quebecers and the CBC 1 The calculation used to determine the size of an English-speaking community within a given geography is: English=FOLS English + (.5*FOLS English and French). 2 Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications. Issue 10 - Evidence, November 6, 2014

2 M. Duszara, emphasized the critical role CBC, particularly CBC Radio, plays in Quebec's English-speaking communities. He quoted regional English community sector organization that called CBC Radio the vital "media glue," that kept communities together, especially isolated and vulnerable populations, fostering community cohesion through news and local information. While we praised CBC’s news programming at the time, we told the Committee after extensive consultations with our stakeholders, that English-speaking Quebec did not see itself reflected in the Network’s non-news programming.

It is unfortunate that the Committee’s study will not have access to data from Statistic Canada’s upcoming Survey on the Official Language Minority Population (SOLMP). The SOLMP is a postcensal survey conducted in 2022 by Statistics Canada to gather detailed information about the English-speaking population in Quebec and the French-speaking population in other provinces and territories. The survey aims to understand various aspects of these communities, including their access to education, health care, legal services, and their language practices in daily life.

Of particular interest is a series of questions dealing with Art, Culture, and Media (ACM) focused on the engagement of official language minority communities with cultural and media activities, including: 1. Participation in Cultural Activities: It examines how individuals engage with cultural events and organizations that operate in their minority language. 2. A ccess to Media: It assesses the availability and consumption of media content— such as television, radio, newspapers, and online platforms— in the minority language. 3.

Barrie rs to Access: It identifies challenges that individuals may face in accessing cultural and media resources in their preferred official language. The most recent data available related to English-speaking Quebec’s media engagements is the Community Health and Social Services’ Baseline Data Report 2015-2016: 2015 CHSSN-CROP Survey on Community Vitality: Findings on English-speaking Community Vitality Across Key Sectors.3 The findings of this report noted a definite urban advantage.

Regions like Montreal West and Laval reported high satisfaction with representation in English-language media such as radio (92.6%, 79.4%), TV news (83.3%, 84.6%), and newspapers. Rural areas on the other hand including Lanaudière (36.9% radio, 36.3% TV news) and Côte-Nord (46.9% TV news), expressed concerns about low representation in English-language media. This disparity underscores the limited local media presence in rural areas, leading to a perceived lack of inclusivity.

Rural English communities in places like the Côte-Nord and Lanaudière were more likely to consume media solely in English, reflecting their linguistic preferences and reliance on limited available sources. Urban areas showed a higher tendency for bilingual media consumption due to greater access and diversity. Media Access – Telling our Stories Policy makers must be warned against making assumptions about media access. Internet access is improving but remains expensive where it is available outsides of urban centres.

The 2015 baseline data report demonstrated a minimum 25% internet availability disparity between urban and rural 3 Pocock, Joanne. Baseline Data Report 2015-2016: 2015 CHSSN-CROP Survey on Community Vitality: Findings on English-speaking Community Vitality Across Key Sectors. Community Health and Social Services Network, 31 Mar. 2016, https://chssn.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/BDR-2015-2016-CHSSN-CROP-Access- Report.pdf.

3 communities. There was a corresponding gap of mobile device ownership, highlighting the infrastructure divide impacting communication and media consumption in rural communities. These findings underscore a clear urban-rural divide in media representation and technological access. Urban English-speaking communities traditionally benefited from better infrastructure and media diversity,

whereas rural areas face challenges in connectivity, representation, and access to tailored media. Addressing these disparities requires investment in rural infrastructure and localized media strategies to enhance inclusivity. Commercial broadcasters have little incentive to address these challenges. This is the domain of an adequately funded public broadcaster, which should be focused on local news, stories, arts and culture, not profit.

English-speaking Quebec is losing platforms that give us opportunities to express our policies and react to current events because of cutbacks taking place in legacy media where a large percentage of our 35+ community members spend their time. Deplatforming refers to the act of removing or restricting an individual, group, or organization from accessing platforms that enable them to share their ideas, opinions, or content. This typically occurs on social media, video-sharing websites, podcast hosting platforms, or even financial and crowdfunding services.

We are using the term to describe the effects on our communities of removing traditional local news platforms like community newspapers, radio and television broadcasts. These channels of communication are critical to vital communities, whose messages, announcements, and activities are increasingly difficult to communicate to a wide audience. Deplatforming significantly limits audience size and by extension community engagement. A smaller audience size makes minority communities less appealing to advertisers, who are less inclined to invest in media outlets that specifically serve these communities.

Commercial broadcasters and newspapers reduce investment, which in turn increases deplatforming, which in turn reduces audience size. News deserts result, geographic areas where local news coverage is minimal or entirely absent, leaving residents without access to reliable information about their community. This phenomenon often occurs in rural or economically disadvantaged areas but is also happening in major urban centres in Quebec with respect to English news media, including Montreal. A word on social media… Social media is not the silver bullet.

These platforms enable people to connect, communicate, and share content online, functioning through a combination of user-generated content managed by algorithms. The ability to effectively target messaging has its obvious advantages. Community sector organizations and institutions serving English-speaking Quebec have welcomed the ability to communicate directly with well-defined communities they serve. However, the point of these platforms is to show you what you want to see, not what you should be seeing as an engaged citizen.

Platforms use algorithms to determine what content users see based on factors such as user preferences and interactions, and the popularity of the content as it relates to the user with the goal of keeping users engaged by showing them relevant or interesting material. This has two effects. First, it creates echo chambers where individuals are exposed primarily to information, opinions, and beliefs that align with their own. This environment reinforces existing views and limits exposure to diverse or opposing perspectives.

Social media platforms and news apps use algorithms to personalize content based on a user’s past behaviour, such as likes, shares, and searches, creating a feedback loop where users repeatedly see content they are more likely to agree with. People also tend to connect with like-minded individuals both online and offline, reinforcing shared beliefs and further reducing exposure to alternative viewpoints. This is compounded by confirmation bias, where

4 users engage more with information that aligns with their preexisting beliefs while ignoring or rejecting contradictory information. Additionally, individuals often practice selective exposure by actively choosing sources or communities that reflect their worldview, avoiding those that challenge it. Social media often reduces complex issues to black-and-white narratives due to its structure, algorithms, and user behaviours, which prioritize simplicity, emotion, and engagement over nuance, which is coincidently exactly describes effective political communications.

Platforms like Twitter, with its strict character limits, encourage users to condense intricate ideas into short, digestible statements. Similarly, memes, hashtags, and slogans thrive in this environment, reducing multifaceted topics to easily shareable but oversimplified messages that lack context or nuance. The algorithms driving social media platforms exacerbate this issue by amplifying content that generates high engagement, such as likes, shares, or comments. Content that provokes strong emotional reactions, such as outrage or fear, is often prioritized because it keeps users engaged.

As a result, extreme or polarizing views are more likely to gain visibility, while nuanced perspectives that require deeper thought and discussion are overlooked. This creates an environment where issues are framed in terms of extremes, reinforcing an "us vs. them" mentality. Social media’s reinforcement of similar viewpoints discourages critical thinking and fosters tribalism, where individuals adopt and defend collective stances without room for compromise. In such settings, opposing views are dismissed outright, deepening societal divisions.

The fast-paced nature of social media further pressures users to form and express opinions quickly, often based on limited information. Balanced or thoughtful perspectives, which require time to research and reflect upon, struggle to gain traction in an environment that rewards instant reactions. Viral content, which thrives on relatability and simplicity, often sacrifices nuance in favour of emotional appeal, framing issues as clear-cut battles of good versus bad or right versus wrong.

Social media's culture of callouts and virtue signalling adds to this dynamic, incentivizing users to take bold stances or publicly criticize others to gain social approval. While this may showcase moral superiority, it discourages open dialogue or compromise and instead fosters an environment where issues are framed in absolutes. The zeitgeist in which English-speaking Quebec exists is unique and challenging.

We are the affected by every twitch and grunt of two elephants: the Canada-Quebec relationship; and the reflex of a provincial government to demonize our language, our institutions, and our diverse community. This is an inopportune time for consequences of social media’s dynamic which leads to polarization, promotes misinformation, and reduced empathy, causing people to become less willing to consider opposing viewpoints. All citizens must actively seek out diverse perspectives, engage in thoughtful discussions, and prioritize critical thinking over knee-jerk reactions.

This is the space CBC must seek to occupy, focusing on serving the public interest and promoting Canadian culture, identity, and democracy, bringing local and regional communities together. The CBC’s Role in our Democracy A theme captured by this Committee’s 2014 study, was the role the public broadcaster should play in supporting our democracy. Public broadcasters contribute to liberal democracy by maintaining independence, fostering political knowledge, ensuring pluralism, and promoting accountability, all of which strengthen democratic structures and participation.

5 During the Committee’s meeting of November 6th, 2014, Michel Nadeau, then the Executive Director of the Institute of Governance for Private and Public Organizations, quoting French political scientist Loïc Blondiaux, said “democracy is not the vote; it is the debate that comes before it.” He continued: Ratings should be part of the solution, but it should not be the core of the solution, because it's so important, it's the culture of this country. The culture of this country is to have a meeting place for all Canadians.

It's true that not all Canadians are willing to participate in the public debate, but those interested should have an agora, a place to debate, a place to share their values, and I think that CBC/Radio-Canada should be a part of this system. Your former colleague Senator Joyal asked: What makes you think and what fuels debate in a democratic society — because I think that is the only reason we should be spending money on a public broadcaster — is that Radio- Canada improves, elevates democratic debate, and gives Canadians, who do not necessarily have a large audience, a chance to express their point of view.

Research makes clear that public broadcasters provide key functions that enhance democratic values, information access, and political engagement: • Providing Independent Information: Public broadcasters, such as the BBC and Germany’s ARD, often maintain independence from political and commercial pressures, providing alternative viewpoints and reliable information critical for informed democratic decision-making4 • Fostering Political Knowledge and Engagement: Public broadcasters enhance political knowledge and engagement among citizens by focusing on comprehensive public affairs content rather than purely commercial interests.

Research indicates that subsidized public broadcasters contribute significantly to increasing political knowledge, especially in countries with strong public broadcasting systems.5 • Promoting Pluralism and Cultural Representation: Public broadcasters offer a platform for diverse perspectives, ensuring representation for different social, political, and cultural groups.

This pluralism supports democratic engagement and protects against market-driven biases that may marginalize minority viewpoints. 6 • Facilitating Accountability and Transparency: Through coverage of governmental actions and political events, public broadcasters provide a mechanism for holding leaders accountable, which is essential for transparent governance. This role is particularly highlighted in countries like 4 Chris Hanretty et al. "Public Broadcasting and Political Interference." (2011). https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203813720. See also A. Weiss et al.

"Participation and democracy in German public service broadcasting." Soundings: A journal of politics and culture, 82 (2023): 109 - 91. 5 O’Mahen P. A Big Bird effect? The interaction among public broadcasting, public subsidies, and political knowledge. European Political Science Review. 2016;8(2):311-332. 6 M. Raboy et al. "Public Broadcasting and the Global Framework of Media Democratization." Gazette, 60 (1998): 167 - 180. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016549298060002005.

6 Germany, where broadcasting systems are legally required to support democratic values and transparency.7 Public broadcasters contribute to liberal democracy by maintaining independence, fostering political knowledge, ensuring pluralism, and promoting accountability, all of which strengthen democratic structures and participation. CBC, Youth, and Responsiveness to English-speaking Quebec In preparing for this brief, the QCGN consulted with Y4Y Québec (Y4Y), a non-profit organization committed to addressing the issues facing English-speaking youth (ages 16-30) across the province.

They noted how it had greatly benefited from CBC’s regional news, which brought attention to their grassroots, youth-led initiatives— efforts that might not have gained traction otherwise. Knowing that the CBC would cover their initiatives has lent credibility and visibility to Y4Y’S work. The organization complimented CBC’s approach of treating every story as equally significant. For Y4Y, this engagement has been crucial, particularly in ensuring their voice is heard at both provincial and federal levels.

They acknowledged that the attention from the CBC over the past few months— such as the "My Vote Counts" initiative— has been instrumental in amplifying their message while maintaining a non-partisan approach. However, Y4Y expressed concern about the weakening connection between youth and the CBC. They pointed out a growing trend where young people primarily rely on social media platforms for news, which are driven by algorithms, posing challenges for informed civic engagement. Y4Y highlighted the importance of reliable news coverage like that provided by CBC, and the maintenance of a healthy democracy.

We believe this is an incredibly important point at this juncture of Canada’s history. Since the 1930s, Canada's broadcasting system has been characterized by a blend of public and private broadcasters. As part of its unique mandate, CBC/Radio-Canada is tasked with delivering radio and television services that feature a diverse range of programming aimed at informing, enlightening, and entertaining audiences.

This programming is expected to prioritize Canadian content, address regional and local needs, be available in both English and French, and ensure accessibility across the country. 8 A properly focused public broadcaster - CBC - is the only Canadian player who can provide these services. The CBC question is often reduced to a commercial argument. Why are taxpayers paying for a public broadcaster, when the market is served by for-profit players? To be sure, the effective use of government resources is an important and vital democratic question.

However, the value of public broadcasting cannot be measured in strictly monetary terms. It makes no economic sense to maintain a nation-wide broadcasting system in the public interest to promote Canadian culture, identity, and democracy. It makes great economic sense to buy and broadcast superbly produced foreign content that will attract an audience and allow a media business to charge more for advertising. We do not criticize these activities. 7 B. Thomass et al.

"Public service media, civil society and transparency." International Journal of Digital Television, 7 (2016): 297-313. https://doi.org/10.1386/JDTV.7.3.297_1. 8 Dewing, Michael. Canadian Broadcasting Policy. Legal and Social Affairs Division, Library of Parliament, Background Paper, Publication No. 2011-39-E, 6 Aug. 2014.

7 We note however that Canada’s hybrid system that combines commercial and public broadcasting is a great national strength when the balance between these two components is maintained. Challenges arise when the CBC acts like a commercial broadcaster. One of the challenges our community has encountered with CBC is the Corporation’s centralized programming decisions made in Toronto. CBC certainly has a nationwide mandate, and we understand that centralized funding decisions are sometimes necessary.

However, as an official language minority community, we have struggled to gain CBC’s corporate attention, and our community is certainly not reflected in non-news content. The Quebec Anglophone Heritage Network (QAHN) notes that while the CBC attends events such as the Arts, Culture, and Heritage Working Group, it appears to sometimes struggle to address proactively community feedback and suggestions.

This could indicate issues with the process or the nature of the suggestions, underscoring the need for improved mechanisms to ensure that CBC better understands and proactively engages with the needs and aspirations of the English-speaking Community of Quebec. We are aware that CBC has statutory obligations under both the Broadcasting Act and the Official Languages Act to be responsive to our community’s needs. The QCGN facilitates the community development process within English-speaking Quebec by collecting, collating, and communicating our development priorities through the Community Development Plan.

This plan and its ongoing development an excellent locus for productive engagement and cooperation between CBC and the English-speaking Community of Quebec. We stand ready to work with CBC to help it connect more effectively to community development initiatives in the future. The Quebec Community Newspaper Association (QCNA) is dedicated to the professional and economic development of English community newspapers and their enterprises serving English-speaking minority communities in Quebec.

In consultation with the QCGN, the QCNA expressed communicated continuing concerns about further cuts to local media outlets. Although CBC is better resourced than QCNA’s members, and can be seen as competitors, QCNA emphasized the need for a healthy media ecosystem where local and national outlets work symbiotically and in a healthy competitive way, together combatting the spread of harmful content. An example of this collaborative dynamic occurred in 2021 when a Grade 3 teacher in Chelsea was removed from the classroom for wearing a hijab.

The story, originally uncovered by a local newspaper reporter, gained national attention through CBC, when it followed up with its version of the story after reading the original in the local newspaper. This illustrates how local and the public broadcaster’s national news media capacity can work together to amplify important issues. Conclusion In conclusion, CBC/Radio-Canada plays a vital role in the cultural, social, and democratic fabric of Canada, particularly for the English-speaking community of Quebec and other minority groups.

As a public broadcaster, its mission transcends commercial imperatives, focusing instead on fostering inclusivity, pluralism, and democratic engagement. Disparities in media access, especially between urban and rural communities, underscore the need for continued investment in public broadcasting infrastructure and tailored content that reflects regional, local and diverse voices and experiences. At a time when the role of media in supporting democratic debate is under scrutiny, CBC/Radio-Canada remains an essential platform for promoting informed citizenship and cultural representation. Refocusing

8 its capacity to serve minority communities and uphold its public mandate is not merely a matter of policy but a commitment to the democratic principles and cultural heritage that define Canada. Public broadcasting must continue to act as the agora for meaningful discourse, ensuring that all Canadians have a place to share their stories, values, and perspectives.