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Bill C-420

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1st Session, 37th Parliament,
49-50 Elizabeth II, 2001

House of Commons of Canada

BILL C-420

An Act to amend the Broadcasting Act (reduction of violence in television broadcasts)

Preamble

Whereas violence is a major cause for concern in our society;

Whereas, under the Broadcasting Act, broadcasting licensees take full responsibility for the programs they broadcast;

Whereas it is recognized that the broadcasting of violent scenes is one of the factors related to violence in society;

Whereas censorship is not a solution;

Whereas the creative freedom of workers in the television industry must be protected;

Whereas it is also necessary to assume responsibility for the protection of children;

Whereas the broadcasting industry has its own codes and classification systems against violence on television, instruments that have been approved by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission;

And Whereas the number of violent scenes broadcast on television during the hours when children watch television, namely, before 9 o'clock p.m., has nevertheless increased;

1991, c. 11

Now, Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

1. Paragraph 3(1)(d) of the Broadcasting Act is amended by striking out the word ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (iii), by adding the word ``and'' at the end of subparagraph (iv) and by adding the following after subparagraph (iv):

      (v) contribute to solving the problem of violence in society by limiting violence in the programming offered to the public, including children;

2. Subsection 5(2) of the Act is amended by adding the following after paragraph (b):

    (b.1) takes into account public concerns regarding violence in programming;

3. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 10:

Regulations concerning violence

10.1 (1) The Commission shall make a regulation governing the broadcasting of violent scenes, including those contained in programs intended for persons under the age of twelve years.

Idem

(2) At least once every five years, every broadcasting undertaking shall be examined by the Commission to verify its compliance with the regulation on violence under subsection (1), and failure to comply with the regulation will be punished according to law.

Annual report

(3) Six months after the coming into force of the regulation on violence and every year thereafter, the Commission shall publish a report on the administration of the regulation, including the sanctions imposed to enforce the regulation.

Five-year review

10.2 (1) Five years after the coming into force of the regulation on violence referred to in subsection 10.1(1), the Commission shall review the regulation, its operation and its effectiveness, with a view to evaluating its ability to meet its objectives.

Public hearing

(2) The investigation shall include a hearing during which members of the public may make representations orally or in writing.

Report

(3) Not later than six months after the date on which the review begins, the Commission shall submit a report to the Minister stating its findings, including any recommendations for amendments to the regulation or the Act, and the Minister shall cause the report to be laid before each House of Parliament on any of the first fifteen days on which that House is sitting after the day the Minister receives it.

Coming into force

4. Section 3 comes into force one year after the day on which this Act is assented to.