Senator Downe: Do you share that view?

Hon. Percy E. Downe: I thank Senator Cotter for his remarks. I tend to agree with most of them. However, I am sure it wasn’t his intent to not explain the full picture of the role of the Senate over the years.

There are many examples of where the Senate has rejected the House of Commons. Probably the best example is before the 1993 election when the Conservative government made a commitment on the Toronto airport. The Liberal opposition promised that if they formed the government, they would reverse that decision. Mr. Chrétien won the election and formed the government, which held a majority in the House of Commons. The House passed the changes to reverse the decision. The bill came to the Senate, and Liberal senators voted against the proposal as well because they viewed it as retroactive legislation.

Here was a commitment of the opposition party. They ran on it in their election platform. They won the election, implemented what they said they would do and the Senate said no to the elected House of Commons immediately after the election.

There are exceptions to all the rules. In my own view, I don’t believe this is a hill to die on, but there will be cases where the Senate will want to oppose the House of Commons.

Hon. Percy E. Downe: Honourable senators, I have been asked to deliver this speech on behalf of Senator Black, who is unable to deliver it tonight. I must say, colleagues, this is the first time I have delivered a speech on behalf of somebody else, and right off the top, I note that it’s much longer than my normal speeches, so I ask your indulgence. Secondly, this is the first week when I have delivered two speeches after 10:30 at night. I hope it doesn’t become a pattern in my life.

Honourable colleagues, on behalf of Senator Black, I rise today to speak to Bill S-242, An Act to amend the Radiocommunication Act. As many of you know, Senator Black is and always will be an advocate for rural and Northern Canadians.

He has lived and worked in rural settings for most of his life, and he will continue to speak in the best interests of rural Canada here in the Red Chamber.

He would like to start his speech by thanking his honourable colleague from Nunavut, the Honourable Senator Patterson, for bringing this issue to the attention of the Senate. Senator Black believes this is an important step forward in ensuring Canada is more effective, connected and competitive in this new technological age.

The internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity for Canadians. It is a critical tool for communication, education, health care, business and so much more. It has transformed the way we live as Canadians, the way we work and interact — not just with one another, but with people across the world. It has become an important part of our daily lives.

Unfortunately, colleagues, not everyone in Canada has equal access to the internet, and this is particularly true for those who live in rural communities.

Bill S-242 is a vital piece of legislation that aims to amend the Radiocommunication Act with the goal of improving access to high-speed, broadband internet for all Canadians, including those living in rural and remote communities. This “use it or lose it bill,” as it has been called, seeks to achieve this by amending Canada’s spectrum policy for the provision of broadband services in rural and remote areas to require service providers to expand their network to reach more Canadians. It is essential that those who hold spectrum provide the broadband needed so those underserved communities can obtain reliable broadband service.

This means that unused spectrum would be made available to other users, such as smaller internet companies in rural communities, without impacting the operation of licensed users. As Senator Patterson of Nunavut mentioned, in the next spectrum auction, it’s an important next step for Canadians that every carrier has access to 100 megahertz of 5G spectrum as long as they are ready to use it.

Colleagues, I must tell you, I really like this speech. Senator Black wrote a very good speech, and I agree with everything he is saying here. It certainly has an impact on Prince Edward Island. I just hope it keeps getting better since I just got it a few minutes ago.

Colleagues, this approach has been successful in other countries, such as in the United States where the Federal Communications Commission adopted similar policies to promote the efficient use of spectrum and expand access to broadband internet. By adopting similar policies in Canada, we can ensure that rural and remote communities and agricultural businesses have access to the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. This is an essential step forward in ensuring that all Canadians have access to high-quality broadband internet regardless of where they live or work. By eliminating “spectrum squatting,” as my honourable colleagues — Senator Simons, I believe, and Senator Patterson — both referred to, Bill S-242 will help fix the digital divide and help smaller companies bring much-needed service to Canadians who have been left behind for far too long by larger communication firms sitting on spectrum.

A few weeks ago, Senator Black had the opportunity to meet with a local broadband provider here in Ottawa who spoke about their struggles expanding their service in rural parts of Eastern Canada. For years, they worked hard to grow as a company and add clients, but with large corporations holding spectrum contracts, they are significantly limited in doing so.

Senator Black commends Storm Internet for their continued work as one of many organizations across the country trying to provide for Canadians, and he would like to again extend thanks to Storm Internet for taking the time to meet him in their office here in Ottawa.

Colleagues, Bill S-242 is about more than just access to the internet. It is about creating a level playing field for all Canadians regardless of where they live. It is about ensuring that every Canadian has access to the same opportunities regardless of whether they live in a major city or a rural region. This is particularly important for rural communities that often lack the same access to services and resources as their urban counterparts. By ensuring that all telecommunications companies use the spectrum they bid on, Bill S-242 shall allow rural communities and smaller internet companies to compete on an equal footing with urban centres.

This, in turn, will promote economic growth and create new opportunities for Canadians living in rural and remote areas which will benefit not just these communities but the many businesses and industries that support these regions.

Senator Black also wanted to make reference to the necessity of broadband access on the farm. The growth and innovation of the agriculture sector demands further involvement of technology in many, if not all, aspects of farming.

In the Agriculture and Forestry Committee, he has heard about the importance of the on farm data collection, networking and collection of information to share across the country regarding soil health, and, honourable colleagues, that is just one aspect of farming. Farmers are dependent on technology and will continue to depend on access to the internet and broadband services to improve, enhance and refine their practices.

The agricultural sector faces unique challenges that require creative solutions. The industry is changing rapidly with advances in technology and automation, transforming the way farmers operate. However, to maintain this positive course, government action is needed to guarantee internet connections for all Canadians — not just those in city dwellings, but also for those who put food on our tables.

Honourable colleagues, I would like to complete Senator Black’s time by discussing the disparity between those with internet access and those without. Only 59% of Canada’s lowest income families have internet access. In rural areas, where the majority of Canada’s Indigenous people are located, they have even less. Only 40.8% have access to broadband speed good enough to effectively use computers and online resources. In the era of technology-based labour, these disparities cannot continue, and we must work to provide for all Canadians by closing gaps and disparities that separate Canadians from opportunities.

Of course, the passage of Bill S-242 is only one part of the solution. We must also continue to invest in infrastructure and other initiatives to expand access to broadband internet and other digital services. This includes supporting community-led initiatives to build and maintain local broadband networks as well as working with telecom providers to expand coverage in underserved areas.

The availability of broadband internet is not the only issue facing rural communities and the agricultural sector. Many rural communities also face challenges in accessing basic services such as health care, education and transportation. These challenges can be worsened by the lack of a reliable internet connection. We have heard that many professionals — doctors, lawyers, accountants and nurses — do not want to settle in rural areas that lack basic infrastructure, secure and stable internet access being one of those.

Rural communities will continue to shrink without government support to improve these basic necessities of life. We must also recognize that the challenges facing rural communities and the agricultural sector are complex and multi-faceted. We must take a holistic approach to addressing these challenges and ensure that all Canadians, regardless of their location or industry, have access to the tools they need to be successful in today’s world.

In closing, Senator Black would urge his colleagues to support Bill S-242 — as I would, as well, I might add. By eliminating spectrum squatting through use it or lose it regulations, we can help bridge the digital divide in Canada and ensure that all Canadians, regardless of where they work, play and live, have equal opportunities for success.

Thank you, colleagues.