SoVote

Mrs. Rachael Thomas (Lethbridge, CPC)

May/11/22 2:17:49 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-11

Mr. Speaker, excessive control and a distrust of the Canadian people are the trademarks of the Liberal government. The Liberals want to choose what Canadians watch online. This is the latest of their assaults. They justify this power grab in Bill C-11 by saying they need to “protect Canadian culture”. Not only do the Liberals think that Canadians do not do a good job of promoting themselves and their culture, but they actually laugh, as they are doing right now, or criticize those who suggest that we have the ability to promote our own culture. I thank the minister very much. Here is the truth: Canadian artists are hitting it out of the park when it comes to growing online audiences and reaching a global market. Government interference, or so-called modernization, is unwelcomed. We do not need it. There is nothing about it that actually promotes Canadian culture. Here is the thing: Canadian artists do not want their content downgraded just because it does not match the government’s values test, and viewers do not want to be told what needs to be forced in front of their eyeballs simply because the government wants them to watch it. Instead, Canadians want to stay “true north, strong and free”. Choices matter. Leave them up to the Canadian people.

224 words

Context: House Hansard - 69 - May/11/22

Mrs. Rachael Thomas (Lethbridge, CPC)

May/11/22 2:43:06 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-11

Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister continues to mislead Canadians. He tells them that Bill C-11 will level the playing field. What he means by this is actually that digital-first creators, those who produce on YouTube, TikTok or Twitch, are too successful, so they actually need to be held back through more regulation and by putting fees on top of them. Digital-first creators would be forced to subsidize commercial broadcasters. I will let that sink in for one moment: The government's definition of levelling the playing field looks like punishing those who are successful, so they can be equal with those who are not. How is that fair?

111 words

Context: House Hansard - 69 - May/11/22

Mrs. Rachael Thomas (Lethbridge, CPC)

May/11/22 2:44:30 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-11

Mr. Speaker, once again, the Prime Minister has proved he is either incompetent or absolutely committed to misleading Canadians every step of the way. He continues to do this over and over again. The fact of the matter is that Bill C-11 would actually tip the scales in favour of traditional broadcasters by punishing digital-first creators, artists and those who use TikTok, YouTube, Twitch or Spotify in order to get their message out. Somehow, magically, this is supposed to protect Canadian culture. “Punish the little guys; reward the big guys” is the plan here. Why does the Prime Minister insist on punishing digital-first creators?

109 words

Context: House Hansard - 69 - May/11/22

Mrs. Rachael Thomas (Lethbridge, CPC)

May/11/22 4:50:17 p.m.
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Re: Bill C-11

Madam Speaker, what we continue to hear again and again from across the aisle is that there is an agenda that needs to be followed, and therefore there needs to be this push for Bill C-11 to be brought through the House of Commons without proper debate. That is wrong. That is absolutely anti-democratic. There are 338 elected individuals who were sent to this place to rigorously debate issues. That is our responsibility, and that responsibility is being taken from us right now. That is not just shameful for those who are in this House; it is actually shameful because of what it does to Canadians. I represent 125,000 people from the riding of Lethbridge. You just squashed their voices.

123 words

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