Weekly News (May 9, 2023)

Compiled by Brad McNeil with Sara Bannerman

McMaster University, Communications Governance Observatory

(May 2-8, 2023)

Canadian News 

• [ONLINE STREAMING BILL] Crowd displeaser: As Online Streaming Act becomes law, just about everyone is unhappy  (Globe and Mail) 
• [PLATFORM REGULATION/HARMFUL CONTENT] Fox News could be banned from Canadian TV as CRTC considers allegations network promotes ‘hatred and violence’ (Toronto Star) 
• [ONLINE NEWS BILL/PLATFORM REGULATION]  Facebook wants audio and video beyond scope of Bill C-18 (The Globe and Mail) 
• [ONLINE NEWS BILL/PLATFORM REGULATION] Meta has team working to block news on Facebook, Instagram from Canadian users (CBC) 
• [ONLINE NEWS BILL/PLATFORM REGULATION] Google Canada tells Senate Bill C-18 would create unreasonable financial liability (Toronto Star) 
• [ONLINE NEWS BILL/PLATFORM REGULATION] CBC shouldn’t be eligible for Big Tech news revenue sharing, senators hear  (National post)  
• [ONLINE NEWS ACT/PLATFORM REGULATION] MPs changed the name of a meeting. Then a Meta executive cancelled his plans to attend (Toronto Star) 
• [PLATFORM REGULATION/FREEDOM OF THE PRESS] Liberals face backlash over policy to trace journalists’ sources before publication online (Globe and Mail)  
• [PRIVACY] Political parties need strong privacy rules, independent oversight, commissioner says (Toronto Star) 
• [PRIVACY/INTIMATE IMAGES/PLATFORM REGULATION] Attorney general alerts online companies to B.C.’s new image-sharing law (Vancouver Sun) 
• [CYBERSECURITY/INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY] University of Waterloo ends research partnerships with Huawei, amid security concerns over China (Toronto Star) 
• [PLATFORM REGULATION] OPINION: Sam Andrey: Why Canadians don’t trust social media companies to self-regulate and want the government to step in (Toronto Star)
• [PLATFORM REGULATION/ONLINE STREAMING BILL] OPINION: Justin Ling: Justin Trudeau is trying to break the internet – and not in the viral sense (Globe and Mail) 
• [BROADCASTING MEDIA] OPINION: Rex Murphy: It shouldn’t be up to the CRTC to decide if Canadians can watch Fox (National Post) 
• [ONLINE STREAMING ACT] OPINION: Jamie Sarkonak: Censorious Liberal attempt to block news article shows why they want to control the internet  (National post)  
• [COPYRIGHT] OPINION: Alberto Galasso: The Ed Sheeran lawsuit suggests the need for music copyright reform (Toronto Star) 
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE] OPINION: Andrew Coyne: Dr. Frankenstein awakens to the AI monster he has made (Globe and Mail) 
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/JOURNALISM] OPINION: Rachel Pulfer: With the rise of AI-generated propaganda, journalism is more important than ever (Globe and Mail)  
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE]/PLATFORM REGULATION] OPINION: Gus Carlson: Striking television and film writers want artificial intelligence gone, but do viewers care? (Globe and Mail) 
• [ONLINE STREAMING BILL]  OPINION: Hopper: Internet porn could soon be slapped with Canadian content quotas  (National Post) 

International News

• [PLATFORM REGULATION/PRIVACY] TikTok answered hundreds of lawmakers’ questions. Here are the highlights. (Washington Post) 
• [PLATFORM REGULATION/PRIVACY] Meta leans into anti-TikTok rhetoric in FTC rebuke ; The tech giant targeted its rival in response to a regulatory action. (Washington Post) 
• [PLATFORM REGULATION] TikTok advertisers stick by the app amid threat of U.S. ban (Reuters) 
• [PLATFORM REGULATION/PRIVACY] F.T.C. Seeking ‘Blanket’ Ban on Meta’s Use of Young Users’ Data (New York Times) 
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/PLATFORM REGULATION] White House signals support for AI legislation (Washington Post) 
• [PRIVACY/LAWSUIT] Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Over Location Data (New York Times) 
• [DATA PRIVACY/CONTENT MODERATION] TikTok Tracked Users Who Watched Gay Content, Prompting Employee Complaints (Wall Street Journal) 
• [PRIVACY] Utah’s porn crackdown has a VPN problem (Washington Post) 
• [COMPETITION/ANTITRUST] Facebook was the main donor to a group that fought antitrust reforms in 2020 and 2021 (CNBC)  
• [CYBERSECURITY/PRIVACY] Dallas cyberattack highlights ransomware’s risks to public safety, health (Washington Post) 
• [CONTENT MODERATION/HARMFUL CONTENT] Twitter Criticized for Allowing Texas Shooting Images to Spread (New York Times) 
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION/JOURNALISM] The Independent Journalists Risking Their Freedom to Keep Reporting From Russia (Wall Street Journal) 
• [CENSORSHIP] Why China’s Censors Are Deleting Videos About Poverty (New York Times) 
• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] U.S. Think Tank Reports Prompted Beijing to Put a Lid on Chinese Data (Wall Street Journal) 
• [ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE] Could AI soon help write a hit sitcom? Many striking writers fear so (Washington Post) 
• [PRIVACY] OPINION: Editorial Board: Lina Khan Has a Meta Fixation (Wall Street Journal)
• [HARMFUL SPEECH] OPINION: Julia Angwin: Something More Dangerous Than Hate Speech (New York Times) 

(May 2-8, 2023)

Federal Court of Appeal

• [COPYRIGHT] Videotron Ltee c. Technologies Konek Inc. – 2023 CAF 92 – 2023-05-03 

CRTC

• CRTC takes action to ensure Canadians have more choice of cellphone services 
• CRTC announces plan to modernize the broadcasting system 
• Scott Shortliffe to the Senate Standing Committee on Transport and Communications

• Telecom Order
  • Telecom order 2023-132 [2023-05-08 11:00:00] Streamlined order – The Commission approves the following tariff application: Northwestel Inc., TN 1176
  • Telecom order 2023-131 [2023-05-08 11:00:00] Télébec, Limited Partnership – Withdrawal of Basic Services Provided Outside the Company’s Serving Area – Public record: Tariff Notice 526
  • Telecom order 2023-130 [2023-05-05 11:00:00] Broadband Fund Payment Order – Approval of Claim Forms – April 2023 – Public Records: 1011-NOC2019-0191 and 1011-NOC2019-0372
  • Telecom order 2023-120 [2023-05-03 11:00:00] Streamlined order – The Commission approves the following tariff applications: TELUS Communications Inc., TN 682 and TN 4411
  • Telecom order 2023-128 [2023-05-04 11:00:00] Broadband Fund – Change request – Bell Canada’s access project in Newfoundland and Labrador (Port Blandford) – Public record: 1011-NOC2019-0372
• Broadcasting Decision 
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-127
    [2023-05-04 11:00:00] Ag-Com Productions Ltd. – Regina, Saskatchewan – Application to revoke the broadcasting licence for the English-language Category 2 discretionary service The Rural Channel
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-126
    [2023-05-04 11:00:00] Gesgapegiag Community Access Program – Gesgapegiag, Quebec – Application for a broadcasting licence to operate a low-power, Indigenous (Type B Native) FM radio station in Gesgapegiag
  • Broadcasting decision 2022-221-1 [2023-05-04 11:00:00] Regulatory relief regarding the payment of tangible benefits contributions for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 broadcast years in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic – Correction – Public record: 2021-0784-6
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-125
    [2023-05-03 11:00:00] Dufferin Communications Inc. – Various locations in Manitoba and Ontario – Applications to renew the broadcasting licences for the English-language commercial radio station set out in the decision
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-124
    [2023-05-03 11:00:00] Various licensees – Various locations in Saskatchewan – Applications to renew the broadcasting licences for the English-language commercial radio station set out in the decision
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-123
    [2023-05-03 11:00:00] Touch Canada Broadcasting Limited Partnership – Calgary, Alberta – Yorkton Broadcasting Company Limited – Edmonton, Alberta – Application to renew the broadcasting licences for the English-language commercial radio stations CJLI Calgary and CKPW-FM Edmonton
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-122
    [2023-05-03 11:00:00] Blackgold Radio Inc. – Ponoka and Stony Plain/Spruce Grove, Alberta – Applications to renew the broadcasting licences for the English-language commercial radio stations CKPA-FM Ponoka and CKSS-FM Stony Plain/Spruce Grove
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-121 [2023-05-03 11:00:00] Bertor Communications Ltd. – Blucher, Saskatchewan – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial specialty (Religious music) radio station CFAQ-FM Blucher
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-119
    [2023-05-02 11:00:00] Sound of Faith Broadcasting – Kitchener, Ontario – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial specialty (Religious music) radio station CJTW-FM Kitchener
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-118
    [2023-05-02 11:00:00] The JOY FM Network Inc. – Fredericton, New Brunswick – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial specialty (Religious music) radio station CIXN-FM Fredericton
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-117
    [2023-05-02 11:00:00] Touch Canada Broadcasting (2006) Inc. (the general partner) and C.R.A. Investments Ltd. (the limited partner), carrying on business as Touch Canada Broadcasting Limited Partnership – Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta – Application to renew the broadcasting licences for the English-language commercial radio stations CJCA Edmonton and CKRD-FM Red Deer
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-116
    [2023-05-02 11:00:00] 10070394 Canada Inc. – St. Catharines, Ontario – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CFAJ St. Catharines
  • Broadcasting decision 2023-115
    [2023-05-02 11:00:00] Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Atlin, British Columbia; and Whitehorse, Yukon – Application to change the authorized contours of CBUA-FM Atlin, a rebroadcasting transmitter of CFWH-FM Whitehorse

Canadian Security Intelligence Service

• Release of 2022 Public Report
  • CSIS Public Report 2022

Global Affairs Canada

• Media Freedom Coalition Statement: World Press Freedom Day   

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• Government of Canada announces new funding for accessible technology 
• Government of Canada announces new framework for improved connectivity and innovative 5G applications 

Information Commissioner of Canada

• Information Commissioner’s appearance before ETHI Committee 

Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• Appearance before the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (LCJC) on Bill C-47, An Act to implement certain provisions of the budget tabled in Parliament on March 28, 2023 
• Privacy Commissioner to appear before Parliamentary committee to discuss proposed amendments to the Elections Act 
• Commissioner: Meaningful privacy obligations should apply to political parties
• New blog: Regulatory enforcement cooperation as a human-centric approach to privacy and data protection
• New blog: Privacy Awareness Week 2023: Creating a culture of privacy to build trust and support innovation   

Microsoft

• Legislative progress creates a better future for Washington state
• Rinse and repeat: Iran accelerates its cyber influence operations worldwide  

Meta

• Upholding Our Commitment to Protecting Your Privacy: What the FTC Gets Wrong 

Supreme Court of Canada

• [PUBLICATION BAN] Scheduled Hearing: May 17, at 9:30 am: 202340223 – Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, et al. v. Aydin Coban, et al. – (British Columbia) (Criminal) (By Leave) 

 Senate of Canada

• Planned and Possible Sitting Days: The Senate will sit from May 9 to May 11, 2023, with possible sitting days on May 12 and 15, 2023
• Committee Meetings: 
• Transport and Communications (TRCM): May 9, 2023 at 9:00 am ET – Topic: Bill C-18, An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada 
• Transport and Communications (TRCM): May 10, 2023 at 6:45 pm ET – Topic: Bill C-18, An Act respecting online communications platforms that make news content available to persons in Canada 
• Bills on the Agenda: 
• C-288: An Act to amend the Telecommunications Act (transparent and accurate broadband services information) – At second reading in the Senate 

 House of Commons

• Planned and Possible Sitting Days: The House of Commons will sit from May 9  to May 12, 2023, and also on May 15, 2023.
• Committee Meetings: 
• Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC): May 9, 2023 at 10:02 am – Topic: Foreign Election Interference 
• Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs (PROC): May 11, 2023 at 10:00 am – Topic: Foreign Election Interference 

CRTC

• Anticipated Releases for the week of 8 to 12 May 2023: The CRTC is not planning on issuing any decisions, regulatory policies and reports in the week of 8 to 12 May 2023. This is subject to change without notice.  

Open Proceedings

·       CRTC Open Broadcasting Proceedings

·       CRTC Open Telecom Proceedings

 

Public Consultations:

• CRTC
• Regulatory Plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting system
• Open: Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-39 – Call for comments – Development of a regulatory framework to improve network reliability and resiliency – Mandatory notification and reporting about major telecommunications service outages  
• Open: Share your comments on the review of the Broadband fund (start date March 23, 2023 to July 21, 2023) 

o   Planned: May 11, 2023 – National Capital Region  To consider the broadcasting applications listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-49 

• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• Open: Strategic Intellectual Property Program Review (November 15, 2022 to April 30, 2023) 
• Planned: Consultation on CIPO’s 2023-2024 client service standards (March 1, 2023 to March 31, 2023) 
• Planned: May 11, 2023 – National Capital Region – To consider the broadcasting applications listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2023-49, View hearing documents (2023-49) 
• Statistics Canada 
• Open: Visible minority concept consultative engagement (October 11, 2022 to June 30, 2023) 
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada 
• Planned: Request for Proposal for Facial Recognition Software Service Contract (Maintenance) 

Have a suggestion? Email Sara Bannerman at banners@mcmaster.ca 

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