Canadian Heritage

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss and approve two proposed laws that would recognize Arab and Ukrainian heritage months in Canada. The first part of the meeting focused on the proposed law for Arab Heritage Month, sponsored by MP Ahmed Hussen. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of Arab Canadians and promoting education about their culture and history. Committee members discussed how this recognition could foster social cohesion and reduce misconceptions about the Arab community. The committee quickly agreed to pass the proposed law. The second part of the meeting addressed the proposed law for Ukrainian Heritage Month, sponsored by MP Yvan Baker and Senator Stanley Kutcher. MP Baker highlighted the long history of Ukrainian immigration to Canada and the importance of supporting Ukraine, especially during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Senator Kutcher joined remotely from a hospital clinic to express his strong support for the proposed law, emphasizing its symbolic value in giving hope to Ukrainian Canadians and those in Ukraine. Committee members shared stories of Ukrainian contributions to Canada and the importance of unity with the Ukrainian people. This proposed law also passed quickly. Both proposed laws received unanimous support from the committee members. The committee agreed to report the proposed laws to the House of Commons as soon as possible after the Easter break. The committee briefly went into a private session to discuss future meeting schedules and witness lists for upcoming studies.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing journalism and media in Canada. Witnesses from various media organizations, including Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN), Accessible Media Inc. (AMI), and the Canadian Ethnic Media Association (CEMA), shared their perspectives on the current state of the industry. A professor from Université de Sherbrooke also spoke about the importance of media as a public good and the rise of disinformation. Committee members explored issues such as funding models, the impact of digital platforms, and the need for diverse voices in media. They also discussed the role of government in supporting the media sector while maintaining journalistic independence. Marie-Eve Carignan, a professor at Université de Sherbrooke, emphasized the importance of funding journalism, especially local and Indigenous media, and highlighted the need for media accountability and media literacy. Cheryl McKenzie and Mike Omelus from APTN discussed the challenges of reaching audiences in the digital age and proposed a services of exceptional importance fund to support broadcasters providing essential public value. David Errington from AMI spoke about the importance of accessible media for people with disabilities and the need for sustainable funding. Kiumars Rezvanifar and Madeline Ziniak from CEMA raised concerns about the lack of dedicated federal support for independent multilingual community television producers. Committee members questioned the witnesses on a range of issues, including the impact of foreign influence on ethnic media, the challenges of measuring audience reach in rural and remote areas, and the role of artificial intelligence in journalism. They also discussed the need for greater diversity and representation in media, as well as the importance of maintaining journalistic standards in the face of disinformation and online hate. The committee explored the balance between government support and journalistic independence, and the need for sustainable funding models for media organizations. The committee agreed that the media landscape is facing significant challenges, including declining revenues, the rise of digital platforms, and the spread of disinformation. They recognized the importance of supporting diverse voices in media and ensuring that all Canadians have access to accurate and reliable information. The committee members expressed interest in exploring potential solutions, such as an independent agency to distribute funds and the creation of a services of exceptional importance fund. They also discussed the need for greater media literacy and accountability. The committee decided to add at least one more meeting to this study to hear from additional witnesses. They encouraged witnesses to submit any additional information or documents that may be relevant to the study.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the state of journalism and media in Canada. Witnesses included a former journalist, representatives from community radio, a non-profit news co-op, media advocacy groups, an organization focused on fair Israel coverage, and a news media association. The discussion covered challenges like declining ad revenue, the impact of digital platforms, and concerns about bias in media coverage. Several witnesses spoke about the importance of local journalism and the need for government support to ensure its survival. A former CBC journalist spoke about alleged censorship and a toxic work environment at the public broadcaster. An organization focused on fair Israel coverage alleged bias at the CBC and linked it to antisemitism.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss funding for various cultural institutions and programs. The Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Marc Miller, presented supplementary estimates (B) for 2025-26, which included additional funding of $120.7 million for Canadian Heritage. This funding aims to strengthen cultural institutions, support Canadian creators and producers, and promote diversity and gender equality in sports. The Minister emphasized the importance of arts and culture in protecting Canadian identity and democratic values. Committee members questioned the Minister on topics ranging from CBC's role in fostering social cohesion to the allocation of funds to regional media outlets. Rachael Thomas (Conservative) questioned Minister Miller about his definition of "social cohesion" and raised concerns about media independence, citing a statement from the Canadian Media Producers Association. Minister Miller defended the CBC's independence and clarified that the statement came from producers, not journalists. Fares Al Soud (Liberal) asked about the Minister's priorities for Canadian Heritage and how the supplementary estimates reflect those priorities. Minister Miller highlighted the importance of supporting the arts and culture sector and ensuring access to truthful information. Martin Champoux (Bloc Québécois) questioned the Minister about Canada's position on a UNESCO protocol to protect cultural industries in the digital age. He also raised concerns about digital companies' contributions to the cultural ecosystem. Kevin Waugh (Conservative) inquired about missing indigenous art and job cuts at the Canadian Museum of History and the Canadian War Museum. Zoe Royer (Liberal) discussed the sustainability of community and ethnic television and the importance of CPAC for parliamentary transparency. Committee members also discussed the future of the creative export program, the impact of AI on the cultural sector, and funding for smaller communities. The committee requested more information on the review of the Anti-Hate Network and funding for mid-sized cities. The committee agreed to recirculate the Minister's response about the Anti-Hate Network from November. The committee adjourned after discussing Canada Day funding, cultural infrastructure, and the impact of Bill C-15 on the Réseau BIBLIO du Québec.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the effects of influencers and social media on children and teens. Committee members heard from several witnesses, including Carol Todd, whose daughter Amanda died due to online bullying, and representatives from organizations focused on child safety and mental health. The discussion covered the harms of social media, including cyberbullying, exploitation, and exposure to harmful content, as well as the manipulative economic models used by social media companies to keep users engaged. Witnesses emphasized the need for government action to protect children online. Carol Todd shared her personal story and advocated for an online safety act, urging the government to take action to protect children from online harms. Maude Bonenfant explained how social media platforms use economic models and persuasive techniques to keep young people engaged and collect their data. Guy Desrosiers emphasized that screens are a lifestyle habit and called for investment in understanding and managing screen time. Sara Austin from Children First Canada, along with youth representatives Zachary Fathally and Josephine Maharaj, stressed the urgency of the situation and called for the government to pass an online safety act quickly. Karen Orser discussed the increase in technology-facilitated child abuse cases and the need for better coordination between child advocacy centers and law enforcement. Aimee Berends shared the clinical perspectives on the impact of social media on children's mental health, highlighting the need for clear guidelines for families and more support for parents. Committee members questioned the witnesses on various aspects of online safety, including age restrictions, regulation of tech companies, and the role of education and awareness. Witnesses generally agreed that a multi-faceted approach is needed, including government regulation of tech companies, education for parents and children, and safety by design on social media platforms. There was a call for the government to table and pass an online safety act that includes a duty of care for tech companies, independent oversight, and protections for children. The committee acknowledged the urgency of the issue and the need for action to protect children from online harms. The committee will now prepare a report with recommendations based on the evidence heard during the meetings.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the impact of social media influencers and online content on children and teenagers. Witnesses shared their expertise on topics like online safety, exploitation, and digital literacy. The committee heard about the risks children face online, including grooming, cyberbullying, and exposure to harmful content. They also discussed how social media can affect kids' mental health and their understanding of the world. Perry Mason, a restorative justice consultant, talked about the need to understand the "digital sovereign" generation and their unique online culture. He cautioned against regulating without understanding and suggested approaching youth with curiosity instead of judgment. Tiana Sharifi, from the Center for Exploitation Education, highlighted how influencer culture can sexualize and exploit young people. She recommended holding social media platforms accountable for harmful content and enforcing age verification measures. Dimitri Pavlounis from Civix emphasized the importance of media literacy education to help young people navigate online information. He noted that media literacy is already in school curriculums, but teachers need more support to teach it effectively. Ève Tessier-Bouchard, who runs a French-language newspaper for kids called Les As de l'info, shared how her organization promotes digital citizenship and critical thinking. She argued that kids should be included in conversations about issues that affect them. Stacy Hanson, a high school counsellor, described the real-world consequences of online harassment and exploitation that she sees in schools. She urged the committee to consider platform accountability, age verification, and stronger protections against image-based abuse. André Côté from The Dais think tank called for a new online safety law with stronger protections for young people and regulations for AI chatbots. He also emphasized the importance of including youth voices in policy decisions. Committee members asked questions about age verification, algorithm protection, and how to balance the positive and negative aspects of social media. Witnesses offered recommendations for how the government and social media platforms can better protect children and teenagers online. The committee will use the information gathered to inform their study and future actions.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the impact of social media and influencers on children and teenagers. Committee members heard from experts on topics like online radicalization, the spread of misinformation, and the mental health effects of social media use. Witnesses included David Morin, Aengus Bridgman, Michael Cooper, Katie Paul, and Marie-Eve Carignan. David Morin spoke about how social media can expose young people to hateful content and violent extremism. He noted that extremists are targeting younger individuals and using mainstream platforms as gateways to more violent content. He stressed the importance of platforms regulating harmful content and politicians making responsible statements. Aengus Bridgman discussed how influencers are becoming primary sources of news and political information for young people. He highlighted the role of algorithms in spreading influencer content and the need for updated regulations that account for this new reality. He suggested that algorithmic discovery is a key mechanism that platforms can control. Michael Cooper shared data on the mental health impacts of screen time and social media use, especially among youth. He noted the connection between excessive screen time and issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders. Katie Paul discussed how tech companies profit from harmful content, including ads for drugs and weapons, and called for stronger regulations to hold these companies accountable. Marie-Eve Carignan emphasized the importance of media literacy and providing parents and teachers with tools to help young people navigate online content. The committee discussed potential solutions like age verification, content moderation, and regulating algorithms.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the impact of social media influencers and content on children and teens. Experts shared their insights on how platforms like TikTok, Twitch, and even games expose young people to things like cryptocurrency and AI, which can be both good and bad. They also talked about how influencers can affect kids' opinions and behaviors, sometimes negatively through cyberbullying or spreading false information. The committee also heard about the dangers of online sexual exploitation of children and how algorithms can make things worse by showing kids more harmful content. Several witnesses presented recommendations. Fenwick McKelvey from Concordia University suggested holding social media companies accountable for advertising and protecting users from scams. Richard Robertson from B'nai Brith Canada proposed a national program to teach kids about digital literacy and address online radicalization. Monique St. Germain from the Canadian Centre for Child Protection emphasized the need for platforms to have a "duty of care" to protect children and remove harmful content quickly. Jocelyn Monsma Selby from Connecting to Protect suggested regulating internet access to protect children and learning from other countries' successes and failures. Committee members discussed whether to invite the new Minister of Canadian Heritage to a future meeting. They also debated whether to extend the study beyond the originally planned four meetings. Ultimately, the committee decided to add two more meetings to further explore the issue and hear from additional witnesses. They agreed to invite the new minister to a future meeting, but also to proceed with inviting other witnesses in the meantime.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss the impact of social media and influencers on children and teens. Experts shared their concerns about how social media can negatively affect young people's mental health, expose them to harmful content, and make them vulnerable to exploitation. They also talked about the role of algorithms in shaping children's values and behaviors. Natalie Coulter from York University highlighted the constant connection young people have to online culture and the dangers of unregulated influencers. Holly Wood from Defend Dignity emphasized the need for both parents and governments to take action, suggesting legislation and policies to protect children. Naomi Holland from Escalate the Conversation focused on the harms of social media on girls, including addiction, sexualization, and the normalization of sex work. Kathryn Ann Hill and Matthew Johnson from MediaSmarts stressed the importance of digital media literacy education to empower young people to manage online risks. Humberto Carolo from White Ribbon discussed how social media can reinforce misogyny and radicalize boys. Witnesses agreed on the need for better education, regulation, and support for parents. Committee members questioned the witnesses about specific policy requirements, the role of government versus parents, and how to balance freedom of expression with child protection. There was discussion about the need for age verification, prevention education in schools, and holding tech companies accountable. Some members expressed concern about the slow pace of legislation and the challenges of getting into schools to provide education. The committee considered extending the study into the new year to hear from more witnesses, including the Canadian Medical Association, given the complexity and importance of the issue.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss how social media and influencers affect children and teens. They wanted to learn about the risks and what can be done to protect young people online. The committee heard from two experts: Professor Daniel Clark, who studies the ethics of kids on social media, and Dr. Wanda Polzin Holman, the CEO of Little Warriors, a charity focused on child sexual abuse awareness and prevention. Professor Clark talked about "sharenting" (parents sharing kids' lives online) and "kidfluencing" (kids being influencers). He said these things can put kids at risk of losing their privacy, being exploited for money, and other harms. He suggested the government might need to step in and regulate this. Dr. Polzin Holman highlighted that social media can lead to mental health problems, cyberbullying, and online predators targeting kids. She asked for more support for programs that help prevent online abuse and stronger laws to punish offenders. Committee members asked questions about age verification, how algorithms can be harmful, and what parents can do to protect their children. They also discussed whether Canada should follow Australia's lead and ban social media for kids under a certain age. The experts agreed that something needs to be done to protect children online, but there are no easy answers. The committee plans to use the information they gathered to make recommendations to the government on how to address these issues.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss an audit of the Indigenous Art Collection, which is managed by Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. The collection includes over 5,000 pieces by First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists. The audit revealed some issues with record-keeping and tracking of the art, including 132 pieces that are currently unaccounted for. Committee members expressed concern about the missing art and questioned department officials about their efforts to locate the pieces and improve management of the collection. Key speakers included Valerie Gideon, Deputy Minister, and Rob Wright, Associate Deputy Minister, who explained the history of the collection and the steps they are taking to address the audit's findings. Stephanie Barozzi, Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive, also attended. Ms. Gideon explained that the department is working to improve record-keeping, update policies, and explore whether the collection should be managed by an Indigenous-led organization. She also stated that the department is committed to supporting Indigenous artists and ensuring the collection is accessible. Committee members questioned why recommendations from previous audits had not been fully implemented and pressed for a timeline to locate the missing art. Some members also asked if the artists whose work is missing had been notified, but Ms. Gideon stated that they have not been notified because the pieces have not been officially categorized as "missing." There was disagreement among committee members and Ms. Gideon about whether the art should be considered "missing" or merely "unaccounted for." The committee requested several documents from the department, including a list of the unaccounted for artworks, copies of loan program contracts, and a legal opinion on why certain information cannot be disclosed. The department officials agreed to consider the requests. The committee emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in managing the Indigenous Art Collection and ensuring that Indigenous artists are respected and supported.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss how AI is impacting creative industries. Witnesses from AI research, creative businesses, and artists' unions shared their views. They talked about AI's potential to help artists, but also the risks to jobs, copyright, and cultural identity. Stephanie Enders from AMII highlighted Canada's history in AI and the need for AI education. She said AI can boost creativity and business in the arts, but ethics and responsibility are key. Pierre-Philippe Côté of Orio stressed data security and supporting Canadian AI companies to protect cultural sovereignty. He also mentioned the need for environmentally friendly AI. Archita Ghosh from Rezolution Pictures spoke about AI's challenges for indigenous content. She emphasized indigenous data sovereignty and the need for accurate, unbiased data. Victoria Shen and Neal McDougall from the Writers Guild of Canada raised concerns about AI flooding the market with machine-made content. They stressed the importance of copyright protection and supporting human writers. Tania Kontoyanni from Union des Artistes warned about AI threatening artists' jobs and the need for transparency and fair compensation. Committee members discussed how to balance AI innovation with protecting artists and culture. They talked about copyright, data sovereignty, and the need for AI education. The committee agreed to have another meeting to give instructions to the analysts for the report on this study.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss how new AI technology is affecting creative industries like art, film, and video games. The committee heard from a digital artist, representatives from the Directors Guild of Canada, and the Entertainment Software Association of Canada. Eric Chan, a digital artist, argued that AI is just a new tool that makes creativity more accessible, like the printing press or photography. He believes that strict rules could limit innovation. Warren Sonoda and Samuel Bischoff from the Directors Guild of Canada expressed concerns about AI potentially replacing human creators and asked for rules to protect artists' rights and ensure they are credited and paid when their work is used to train AI. They want to make sure public money supports human-made art, not AI-generated content. Paul Fogolin from the Entertainment Software Association of Canada explained that the video game industry has been using AI for years to improve games and create jobs. He emphasized that AI is a tool that helps creators and that strong copyright laws are important for the video game industry. Committee members discussed whether Canada should have an opt-in or opt-out system for using creative work to train AI, and how to balance innovation with protecting artists' rights. The committee didn't make any decisions, but they gathered information to help them understand the issues and create a report with recommendations for the government. Witnesses were encouraged to send further information to the committee clerk.

The Canadian Heritage Committee met to discuss how AI is changing creative industries. Experts talked about both the good and bad sides of AI. Michael Geist from the University of Ottawa said AI can help creativity but we need to be careful about over-regulating it. Véronique Guèvremont from Laval University warned that AI could make culture less diverse because it relies on data that mostly includes Western cultures. Chip Sutherland, an entertainment lawyer, said that AI is a threat to musicians and suggested stronger copyright laws and funding for artists. Nikita Roy from Newsroom Robots Lab, highlighted that AI is changing how people get news and that Canadian voices could get lost if we don't act. Vicky Mochama from PressForward, talked about how AI can be helpful but also threatens journalism by spreading wrong information and taking content without permission. Committee members asked questions about how to balance innovation with protecting Canadian culture. They also talked about how to make sure AI news is fair and accurate. Some members were concerned about AI taking over and making Canadian content less visible. Others worried about over-regulating AI and stopping innovation. The committee discussed ways to support Canadian artists and news organizations in the age of AI. They also considered how to make sure AI systems are transparent and respect copyright. During the meeting, a motion was introduced by a committee member regarding missing Indigenous artworks. The committee agreed to invite the director of the Indigenous Art Centre and the authors of an audit report to testify. They also requested that the government provide a detailed response to the audit report. The committee also requested updates on promised documents from previous witnesses, including information from the CBC and the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Overall, the meeting showed that AI is a complex issue with many different views. Committee members agreed that it's important to find ways to support Canadian culture and creativity while also allowing for innovation in the age of AI. The committee plans to continue studying the issue and will use the information they gathered to write a report with recommendations for the government.