A motion to debate the CRTC ordering online streaming services to pay more tax. The Conservatives argued this tax increase will be passed on to consumers. The Bloc argued the real issue is the government failing to implement a tax on digital products that would fund culture. The debate devolved into partisan bickering, with the Conservatives accusing the Liberals of controlling the CRTC, and the Liberals bringing up unrelated past statements by Conservatives.
“I want people to think I care about Canadian jobs and culture. I want them to forget that our government appointed the CRTC, and that our tax-and-spend policies are driving away investment.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. I don't like the other team. They're extreme and they say things I don't like.”
“I'm filling time with kind words and saying nothing anyone could pin down later. I don't want to give a straight answer about taxes or power. I'll just talk a lot and hope my side looks good. And I definitely want people to be scared of the other guys.”
“Domestic streamers should pay more because 25% is more than 15%. My opponents don't care about Canadian talent. We must protect the industry. My opponents should explain how their motions will help. They probably won't.”
“I don't agree with your suggestion that our government isn't doing enough for arts. Look at Quebec! Quebec leads Canada in cultural support and has many Liberal MPs. The fact that we've provided any support at all should count as enough.”
“You Conservatives don't care about culture. Harper cut arts funding and insulted artists. My government funded National Acadian Day and other arts since 2015. You must prove to me that you have supported artists ever.”
“You Tories don't support the arts at all! I was here during Harper. He didn't support artists enough. But you today's Tories are even worse. The arts provide jobs and entertainment. You must value them.”
“I'm filling time saying nice things about Quebec culture and bilingualism. I won't bring up digital taxes that earlier speaker pointed out. I'd rather ask this Bloc member to agree with me that government-funded national media is good.”
“I want to wedge you into looking bad either way. If you attack the CRTC, I can say you're attacking Canada's institutions. If you won't attack them, I can say you really do support this tax.”
“Investing in Canadian culture and broadcasting is good for the economy. Global streaming services should contribute too. This isn't a new idea. It's not a punishment, it's an investment in Canadian jobs and production. Streaming companies are doing fine with similar rules in other countries. This is about supporting an important part of our economy, not an ideological argument.”
“I'm not going to say whether we would reverse the CRTC decision or not. Instead I'm going to talk about how the government wants to help everyone in the industry. We want to make things more fair and help all these skilled people. That's what I'm focused on.”
“I want the government to spend more money so there will be more movies and shows made in Canada. I'm going to talk about fairness and investing in people, but I'm not going to give a clear answer on whether I support or oppose this tax.”
“This is a chance to talk about how great it is when the government spends money in rural areas. I'm going to ignore the issue of fairness and focus on how much we need the government's support.”
“I don't want to talk about fairness or ideology. I want to talk about how great it is when the government spends money to help special companies we like.”
“I'm filling time with unrelated sports talk. I'm not going to answer your question about the tax. Instead I'm going to pivot to talking about arts funding to make the government look generous.”
“I want more regulation. I'm going to talk a lot about Canadian content and culture to justify giving the government more power over online broadcasting.”
“I want taxpayers to spend more on my program. I'm filling time arguing over the word 'tax'. I want to regulate the film industry to make the content more Canadian.”
