Bill C-11 Becomes Law
On Thursday April th, Bill C-11 passed through the Senate and received Royal Assent. This means the bill will become law. A Senate amendment to protect user generated content was rejected by the House Of Commons and ultimately passed by the Senate without it.
We are disappointed that the Government refused to protect the content we post and see online and protect the businesses of Digital First Creators in Canada.
After years of explaining the possible impacts of the bill on the internet, Digital Creators were ultimately dismissed in favour of legacy media lobby groups.
You will find a summary from Michael Geist on what happened here.
What does this mean?
- The bill is now law
- The CRTC (a government regulator) has the ability to direct platforms to change how they surface and promote content
- User Generated Content is within the scope of the new law
What happens next?
- The Government will issue a policy directive to instruct the CRTC on how to regulate the new powers in Bill-C11
- There will then be CRTC public hearings, and this will be a key opportunity to have your voice heard
- The CRTC will then make regulations
What does this mean for Digital Creators today?
- In the short term, not much, the CRTC process will take some time
- We will have to wait to see the policy directive and what the CRTC decide to do
- It does mean that today the Government has failed to recognize Digital Creators as a vibrant part of Canadian Culture worthy of protection
What Can You Do?
- Do not stop expressing your disappointment. The Government still needs to hear from us
- Stay informed. Follow DFC on twitter for information on CRTC consultations https://twitter.com/DigitalFirstCan
- Get involved. Email info@digiitalfirstcanada.ca if you are a Creator that would like to be more active in the important upcoming activities
We are extremely grateful for all the support, emails and phone calls made by Digital Creators and their fans, and we will not stop fighting.
