September 7, 2022 Senator Leo Housakos Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne Senator Dennis Dawson Senator Tony Loffreda The Senate of Canada Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4 Dear Chair Housakos, Deputy Chair Miville-Dechêne, Senator Dawson, Senator Loffreda Re: Our request that the Quebec OLMC be invited to speak to the Standing Committee on Transport and Communications concerning C-11, Sections 5.2 and 3.1 The Quebec English-language Production Council (QEPC) represents the production of English language film & TV in Quebec.

Alongside our colleagues ELAN (English-language Arts Network) and QCGN (Quebec Community Groups Network) inside Quebec, and the APFC (L'Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada) and the FCCF (La Fédération culturelle canadienne française) outside Quebec, we have been working to encourage the greater use of English and French-language minority film and TV production through C-10 and C-11. On August 15 th of this year, we requested an appearance before the Senate Standing Committee to further discuss the impact of recent amendments to C-11, most notably, Sections 5.2 and 3.1.

We believe the Committee will benefit hearing from both Official Language Minorities, both inside and outside Quebec. In December 2020, we sent the attached letter from the "Official Language Minority Communities in Quebec" represented by the English-language Arts Network (ELAN), the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN), and the QEPC, to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Hon. Steven Guilbeault.

2 In this letter, we recommended changes to C-10 which were needed by the OLMC/CLOSMs. With the support of our colleagues at the APFC and the FCCF, we appeared before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage studying this legislation, and our recommendations were largely accepted by that Committee. Then, we appeared as a witness before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage studying C-11, and these OLMC/CLOSM recommendations were again accepted by that Committee. Our recommendations to support OLMC/CLOSM program production have remained in the legislation which is now being studied by the Senate.

We respectfully request that we be invited to appear before the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications to discuss C-11, especially Sections 5.2 and 3.1. Thank you. Yours respectfully, Michael Solomon Co-Chair Quebec English-language Production Council 450-451-4664 QEPCouncil@gmail.com Attach. December 2, 2020, OLMC letter to Minister Guilbeault (English and French versions) cc- Members and Clerk of the Standing Committee on Transport and Communications Vanessa Herrick ELAN Stephen Thompson QCGN Marie-Christine Morin FCCF Manon Henrie-Cadieux FCCF Carol Ann Pilon APFC

Page 1 of 7 Official Language Minority Communities in Quebec December 2nd, 2020 VIA EMAIL: Steven.Guilbeault@parl.gc.ca The Honourable Steven Guilbeault Minister of Canadian Heritage Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0A6 Re: QCGN, QEPC, and ELAN request amendments to Bill C-10 to strengthen the vitality of the Official Language Minority Communities Dear Minister, The Quebec English-language Production Council (QEPC) represents the English- language film, TV and media production industries in Quebec. Its objective is to increase the production of films and television by the official language minority in Quebec.

QEPC strives both to increase the vitality of English production in Quebec and to support Canadian content in both official languages across the country. Founded in 1995, the Quebec Community Groups Network (QCGN) is a not-for-profit organization linking most of the official language minority communities across Quebec. As a centre of evidence-based expertise and collective action, the QCGN identifies, explores and addresses strategic issues affecting the development and vitality of the English-speaking community of Quebec.

QCGN encourages dialogue and collaboration among its member organizations, individuals, community groups, institutions and leaders. The English-Language Arts Network (ELAN) represents over 6,000 English-speaking artists in Quebec. QEPC, QCGN, and ELAN write to you representing the official language minority communities in Quebec (OLMCs). You recently tabled Bill C-10,

An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts (“Bill C-10”), with an aim of “[m]odernizing

Page 2 of 7 broadcasting rules to promote Canadian storytelling”.1 In particular, you explained that “[w]ith the modernization of the legislation, Francophone, Anglophone, Indigenous, people with disabilities, racialized and LGBTQ2+ creators will have the means to tell their own stories.” The OLMCs in Quebec applaud and support this noble objective. However, it is essential that this objective of promoting “Canadian storytelling” include the promotion of storytelling by Quebec’s English-speaking communities.

Your department has invited the OLMCs in Quebec to comment on Bill C-10 and, in particular, to offer insight regarding the perspective of Quebec’s English-speaking communities. With this letter, we respond to your department’s invitation. Before proposing wording that it requests be added to Bill C-10 to strengthen the vitality of Official language minority communities (“OLMCs/CLOSMs”), we wish to stress that we support the amendments to Bill C-10 put forward by the Fédération Culturelle Canadienne-Française (“FCCF”) on December 2, 2020.

The FCCF’s proposed amendments to Bill C-10 are aimed at ensuring that Canadian broadcasting policies consider the specific situation of OLMCs/CLOSMs, an objective also pursued by QEPC, QCGN, and ELAN. 1. The OLMCs in Quebec request an amendment to Bill C-10 in order to ensure that the Broadcasting Act is interpreted consistently with the government’s commitment to enhance the vitality of OLMCs/CLOSMs In addition to FCCF’s proposed amendments, we recommend that the

interpretation

section of the Broadcasting Act be expanded to expressly include support for OLMCs/CLOSMs in Canada. There is a precedent for this type of express provision in paragraphs 3(3)(

d) and (

e) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The following amendment would help strengthen the vitality of OLMCs/CLOSMs in the context of Canadian broadcasting, as is done in the context of immigration (the proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Act are underlined):

Interpretation

(3) This Act shall be construed and applied in a manner that (

a) is consistent with the freedom of expression and journalistic, creative and Interprétation

(3) L’interprétation et l’application de la présente loi doivent se faire de manière :

a) compatible avec la liberté d’expression et l’indépendance, en matière de journalisme, 1 Steven Guilbeault, Modernizing broadcasting rules to promote Canadian storytelling, The Star, November 10, 2020.

Page 3 of 7 programming independence enjoyed by broadcasting undertakings; and (

b) supports the commitment of the Government of Canada to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities in Canada. de création et de programmation, dont jouissent les entreprises de radiodiffusion ;

b) qui favorise l’engagement du gouvernement fédéral de favoriser l’épanouissement des communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire. 2. The OLMCs in Quebec request an amendment to Bill C-10 in order to include a governmental duty to consult OLMCs/CLOSMs within the Broadcasting Act According to the Supreme Court of Canada, the government has an obligation to consult certain minority communities, including OLMCs/CLOSMs, in its decision-making process, when a decision could affect the rights of such communities.

The Supreme Court has also clearly stated that it will sometimes be necessary to adopt distinct measures for OLMCs/CLOSMs to ensure the substantive equality of a service or program offered in each of the official languages.2 As we know, these participatory rights of OLMCs/CLOSMs are often an afterthought for many federal institutions and departments. For example, CRTC decisions have historically had very negative impacts on Quebec’s English-speaking communities, and the trends in impacts over the years seem only attributable to changes in CRTC appointments.

The OLMCs in Quebec are of the view that the only way of truly respecting the participatory rights of OLMCs/CLOSMs, and thus of ensuring their vitality, is by including a government duty to consult them within the Broadcasting Act. OLMCs/CLOSMs protections in the Broadcasting Act must be strong enough to weather changes in CRTC personnel. We can achieve such an amendment by building on the Supreme Court’s case law articulating what constitutes meaningful consultation of minority communities.

This duty to consult could apply to both the CRTC and the CBC whenever they develop policies and programs or make decisions that could adversely affect OLMCs/CLOSMs.

In Haida Nation v British Columbia, the Supreme Court of Canada explained the parameters of the government’s duty to consult Aboriginal peoples prior to making decisions that might adversely affect their rights. “Meaningful consultation”, according to the Supreme Court, includes: gathering information to test policy proposals; putting forward proposals that are not yet finalized; seeking the community’s opinion on the proposals; informing the community of all relevant information upon which those 2 DesRochers v Canada (Industry), 2009 SCC 8; Haida Nation v British Columbia (Minister of Forests), 2004 SCC 73; Arsenault-Cameron v Prince Edward Island, 2000 SCC 1.

Page 4 of 7 proposals are based; listening to communities with an open mind; and being prepared to alter the original proposal.3 Additionally, the CRTC and the CBC are both federal institutions governed by the Official Languages Act, and specifically by

Part VII of the Act, which requires federal institutions to ensure that positive measures are taken to enhance the vitality and support the development of OLMCs/CLOSMs. To clarify and strengthen the CRTC and CBC’s obligations with respect to OLMCs/CLOSMs, similar structural provisions could be included within the Broadcasting Act. The following is the wording of new provisions, which could be included in

Part II of the Broadcasting Act to clarify and strengthen the CRTC’s obligations with respect to OLMCs/CLOSMs, and impose on it a duty to consult OLMCs/CLOSMs (the proposed amendments are underlined): Duty to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities 5.1

(1) In regulating and supervising the Canadian broadcasting system and exercising its powers under this Act, the Commission shall take the necessary measures to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities and support and assist their development. Duty to consult official language minority communities 5.2

(1) It is the duty of the Commission to consult with official language minority communities when making regulations under this Act and whenever its decisions could adversely affect official language minority communities.

(2) When engaging in consultation pursuant to subsection (1), the Commission shall (

a) gather information to test its policies, decisions and programs; Obligation de favoriser l’épanouissement des communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire 5.1

(1) Le Conseil prend les mesures nécessaires de nature à favoriser l’épanouissement des communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire et à appuyer leur développement dans la réglementation et la surveillance du système canadien de radiodiffusion e t dans l’exercice des pouvoirs que lui confère la présente loi. Obligation de consulter les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire 5.2

(1) Il incombe au Conseil de consulter les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire lorsqu’il prend un règlement en vertu de la présente loi et lorsqu’il prend une décision susceptible d’avoir un effet préjudiciable sur les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire.

(2) Dans le cadre de ses consultations en vertu du paragra phe (1), le Conseil doit notamment :

a) recueillir des renseignements pour mettre à l’épreuve ces principes d’application, ces décisions ou ces programmes ; 3 Haida Nation v British Columbia (Minister of Forests), 2004 SCC 73 at para 46.

Page 5 of 7 (

b) propose policies, decisions and programs that have not been finalized; (

c) seek the opinions of the communities consulted with regard to the policies, decisions or programs; (

d) provide the communities consulted with all relevant information on which the se policies, decisions or programs are based; (

e) listen with an open mind to what the communities consulted have to say; (

f) be prepared to alter the policies, decisions or programs that are the subject of the consultation; and (

g) provide feedback to th e communities consulted, both during the consultation process and after the decision has been taken.

b) proposer des principes d’application, des décisions et des programmes qui ne sont pas encore arrêtés définitivement ;

c) obtenir l’opinion des communautés consultées concernant ces principes d’application, ces décisions ou ces programmes ;

d) fournir aux communautés consultées tous les renseignements pertinents sur lesquels reposent ces principes d’a pplication, ces décisions ou ces programmes ;

e) écouter avec un esprit ouvert ce que les communautés consultées ont à dire ;

f) être disposé à modifier les principes d’application, les décisions ou les programmes faisant l’objet de la consultation ;

g) fournir une rétroaction aux communautés consultées, tant au cours de la consultation qu’après la prise de décision. Similar provisions should be included in

Part III of the Broadcasting Act with respect to the CBC (the proposed amendments are underlined): Duty to enhance the vitality of official language minority communities 46.2

(1) In exercising its powers under this Act, the Corporation shall take the necessary measures to enhance the vi tality of official language minority communities and support and assist their development. Duty to consult official language minority communities 46.3

(1) It is the duty of the Corporation to consult with official language minority communities when making programming decisions, planning the extension of broadcasting services and whenever its decisions could adversely affect official language minority communities. Obligation de favoriser l’épanouissement des communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire 46.2

(1) La Société prend les mesures nécessaires de nature à favoriser l’épanouissement des communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire et à appuyer leur développement dans l’exercice des pouvoirs que lui confère la présente loi. Obligation de consulter les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire 46.3

(1) Il incombe à la Société de consulter les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire lorsqu’elle prend une décision concernant la programmation, dans ses projets d’extension de services de radiodiffusion et lorsqu’elle prend une décision sus ceptible d’avoir un effet préjudiciable sur les communautés de langue officielle en situation minoritaire.

Page 6 of 7

(2) When engaging in consultation pursuant to subsection (1), the Corporation shall (

a) gather information to test its policies, decisions and programs; (

b) propose policies, decisions and programs that have not been finalized; (

c) seek the op inions of the communities consulted with regard to the policies, decisions or programs; (

d) provide the communities consulted with all relevant information on which these policies, decisions or programs are based; (

e) listen with an open mind to what the communities consulted have to say; (

f) be prepared to alter the policies, decisions or programs that are the subject of the consultation; and (

g) provide feedback to the communities consulted, both during the consultation process and after the decision has been taken.

(2) Dans le cadre de ses consultations en vertu du paragraphe (1), la Société doit notamment :

a) recueillir des renseignements pour mettre à l’épreuve ces principes d’application, ces décisions ou ces programmes ;

b) proposer des principes d’application, des décisions et des programmes qui ne sont pas encore arrêtés définitivement ;

c) obtenir l’opinion des communautés consultées concernant ces princi pes d’application, ces décisions ou ces programmes ;

d) fournir aux communautés consultées tous les renseignements pertinents sur lesquels reposent ces principes d’application, ces décisions ou ces programmes ;

e) écouter avec un esprit ouvert ce que les communautés consultées ont à dire ;

f) être disposée à modifier les principes d’application, les décisions ou les programmes faisant l’objet de la consultation ;

g) fournir une rétroaction aux communautés consultées, tant au cours de la consultation qu’après la prise de décision. We look forward to further consultations with you and the Standing Committee to improve C-10, and especially to strengthen the vitality of both English and French official language minorities. Sincerely, Kirwan Cox, Executive Director Quebec English-language Production Council Sylvia Martin-Laforge Director General Quebec Community Groups Network Guy Rodgers Executive Director English-language Arts Network

Page 7 of 7 Cc: Noémie Dansereau-Lavoie, Senior Advisor to the Minister of Canadian Heritage Maxence Bernier, Senior Policy Advisor for the Minister of Canadian Heritage Scott Simms, Chair of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage Martin Théberge, Chair of the Fédération Culturelle Canadienne-française