Here's what the candidates in Toronto Centre have to say about our issues

We sent a questionnaire on our key issues to the candidates of the four major parties in Toronto Centre who had published contact information. Three of the candidates answered. Below you'll find their unenedited answers.

On Monday, you'll have a chance to vote in Toronto Centre. We hope these answers will be helpful to FRIENDS supporters as they make their choice.

The answers below are displayed in the order we received them from the parties.

The candidates answer FRIENDS supporters' questions:

Brian Chang - New Democratic Party

1. Will you commit to strengthening CBC’s independence by updating the Broadcasting Act to categorically end political appointments to the CBC's Board of Directors?

Canadians value the independence of their public broadcaster. The Liberal government must do more to improve the independence of the CBC's board appointment process. That’s why the NDP supports transparency and ending of political appointments to the CBC's board of directors.

2. Will you commit to strengthening CBC's independence by updating the Broadcasting Act to give CBC's Board of Directors sole authority to hire and fire CBC's president? This power is currently granted to the Prime Minister.

It is important for Canadians to have confidence in the independence of their public broadcaster. The Liberal government can end any perception of politics in the choice of the president of the CBC if it chooses to. That is why the NDP will continue to push for an independent and transparent appointments process, with no role for politicians.

3. Would you support measures to reduce CBC's dependence on advertising?

Our public broadcaster is an essential information service for people in all parts of the country, particularly during a pandemic. People rely on this important public service that puts independence and quality of information before profit. The Liberal government must ensure that CBC/Radio-Canada receives stable, predictable, multi-year public funding. That is why the NDP will continue to push the Liberal government to increase the level of public funding and to ensure an independent, quality public broadcasting service for people.

4. Would you support measures to require large companies like Google and Facebook to pay Canadian content producers a fair fee for their content?

People are always worried that their local media will be shut down due to unfair competition from the web giants. The Liberal government had promised to make sure that the web giants would be subject to the same rules as the local media, but they still haven't fulfilled their promise. The NDP will make sure the web giants pay their fair share and support the local media that people rely on.

5. Would you support measures that would enforce existing laws to hold Big Tech liable for hosting and recommending illegal content like child sexual abuse imagery, hate speech and death threats?

Hate speech and manifestly illegal content has no place in our society. The Liberal government must require speedy and transparent removal processes from large platforms like Facebook, as recommended by an all-party report of the Ethics Committee. The NDP will continue to pressure the liberal government to ensure that companies like Facebook taking responsibility for what appears on their platforms, just like other media outlets.

6. Will you commit to ending Silicon's Valley tax-free status, by requiring them to charge sales taxes and pay corporate income taxes like every other company?

Our local media and cultural sector are facing unfair competition from American web giants. The Liberal government promised to make the web giants pay their fair share, but the Liberals continue to offer an unfair advantage to multinationals who generate billions in profits and threaten the survival of our local media. That’s why the NDP will to push the Liberal government to make sure that Netflix, Facebook, Google, and other digital media companies play by the same economic rules as Canadian broadcasters.

7. Will you commit to closing the loophole in Section 19 so that foreign digital advertising expenses are no longer tax deductible?

With the pandemic, the crisis that our local media are going through is even more serious and reduces their advertising revenues even more. Not only does the Liberal government maintain this tax loophole that benefits the digital giants, but in 2018 and 2019, the Liberal government spent 5 times more public funds on online advertising through the web giants than through our local media. That's why the NDP clearly supports closing this tax loophole and supporting our vital local media.

8. Will you commit to the equal application of Canadian content obligations for foreign internet broadcasters, so that they will be required to invest in the financing of original Canadian content in the same measure as Canadian broadcasters – no more, no less?

People want to access and are attracted to Canadian content in both official languages. That's why foreign suppliers must contribute and be subject to the same requirements as Canadian broadcasters. The Liberal government must not abandon our local cultural production. The NDP will continue to pressure the Liberal government to ensure that foreign suppliers support Canadian content in both official languages.

9. Online hate is becoming a serious problem. One of the biggest impacts is the degree to which unfettered trolling and abuse deters people from seeking public office. Will you commit to publicly denouncing anybody who engages in illegal online speech against your opponent in this by-election, for example threats of violence, slander or intimidation?

Hateful, racist and discriminatory acts are increasingly present and disturbing. The NDP believes that all such acts should be systematically denounced and condemned, with absolutely no partisanship.

10. Is there anything else you'd like our supporters to know about your views on public broadcasting, local news, Canadian content, or issues surrounding Big Tech?

Most Canadians now get their news from Facebook, and Netflix is the largest broadcaster in the country – but these web giants don’t pay their fair share or contribute to funding Canadian content in the same way that traditional media do. Canadian film, television, and media is up against a tidal wave of well-funded American content – and the Liberals have refused to take action to level the playing field.

That’s why we will step up to make sure that Netflix, Facebook, Google, and other digital media companies play by the same rules as Canadian broadcasters. That means paying their fair share, supporting Canadian content in both official languages, and taking responsibility for what appears on their platforms, just like other media outlets.

I spend time as a freelance journalist writing about live performing arts in Southern Ontario. I know first hand the challenges that traditional print news and magazines are facing in an increasingly digital age. There is a vital role for the federal government to ensure great Canadian journalism continues. It is an essential service for Canadians. We’ll also continue to press the Liberal government to increase funding for CBC and Radio-Canada to help reverse the damage of decades of funding cuts under both Liberal and Conservative governments. Public broadcasting has a remarkable legacy of connecting all points of our country – and it needs to have an even stronger future now more than ever to help make sure that Canadians have access to accurate, relevant information no matter where they live.

Marci Ien - Liberal Party of Canada

1. Will you commit to strengthening CBC’s independence by updating the Broadcasting Act to categorically end political appointments to the CBC's Board of Directors?

The CBC is an autonomous Crown corporation responsible for managing its own operations, and the Liberal government firmly believes in the importance of our national public broadcaster, CBC/Radio Canada. That is why Liberals established a diverse and independent advisory committee composed of experts in broadcasting, digital technology and Canadian culture, to make recommendations for CBC’s Board of Directors based on open, transparent, independent and merit-based selection processes. We will always stand behind the need for a strong and independent CBC.

Canada’s broadcasting framework predates the digital era, and needs to be modernized. Liberals have committed to making it fairer and generating more creative opportunities here in Canada, by Canadians. Liberals have committed to introducing legislation this year to modernize the Broadcasting Act and make it more reflective of our society.

3. Would you support measures to reduce CBC's dependence on advertising?

Our government remains committed to supporting our newsrooms while respecting the core principle of journalistic independence. News organizations deserve fair compensation for the important work they do, and the government has stated that it is reviewing recommendations and looking at other jurisdictions to help develop a made-in-Canada solution to support newsrooms. This would be a part of our general commitment towards a comprehensive, more equitable digital regulatory framework in Canada.

4. Would you support measures to require large companies like Google and Facebook to pay Canadian content producers a fair fee for their content?

The government’s position on web giants has been clear-- those who benefit from our media landscape must contribute. No more free rides. In the recent Speech from the Throne, the Prime Minister noted that we will address corporate tax avoidance by digital giants. In terms of ensuring that content producers are paid their share, the government is currently looking at models adopted in other jurisdictions regarding appropriate remuneration of content and will propose solutions to Parliament.

5. Would you support measures that would enforce existing laws to hold Big Tech liable for hosting and recommending illegal content like child sexual abuse imagery, hate speech and death threats?

Keeping Canadians safe is the highest priority for any government. At a time where we are seeing growing concerns about things like ideological extremism, dissemination of hate speech, and online radicalization, it is important to ensure that our law enforcement and security agencies have the tools and resources they need to respond to criminal activity and keep pace with evolving threats and technology.

6. Will you commit to ending Silicon's Valley tax-free status, by requiring them to charge sales taxes and pay corporate income taxes like every other company?

As said in the Throne Speech, Liberals will identify additional ways to tax extreme wealth inequality, including by addressing corporate tax avoidance by digital giants.

7. Will you commit to closing the loophole in Section 19 so that foreign digital advertising expenses are no longer tax deductible?

Liberals are committed to modernizing our broadcasting framework to ensure that everyone who benefits is also contributing; that the system is fair to all who participate; that it is competitive; and that everyone plays by the same rules.

Again, we expect all who benefit from Canadian content to contribute to its development, production, and promotion. Foreign and domestic players can benefit from our cultural sector as long as they also contribute to Canadian content creation and discoverability. A more competitive broadcasting system, that is also more representative of who we are as Canadians, will better serve our communities, strengthen our sense of belonging and create more jobs in our economy.

Online hate including threats of violence, slander or intimidation is something I believe no individual should have to face, whether or not they are running to be a candidate. I will always publicly stand against it and be a voice for vulnerable communities.

10. Is there anything else you'd like our supporters to know about your views on public broadcasting, local news, Canadian content, or issues surrounding Big Tech?

My career was embedded within public broadcasting and Canadian content. I had the privilege to use Canadian media as a channel to voice the concerns of our community and to use the platform to give a voice to those who needed it the most.

Annamie Paul - Green Party of Canada

1. Will you commit to strengthening CBC’s independence by updating the Broadcasting Act to categorically end political appointments to the CBC's Board of Directors?

Yes, the Green party of Canada believes it is long overdue to reform the governance structure of CBC/Radio Canada to remove the potential for political interference in board appointments.

3. Would you support measures to reduce CBC's dependence on advertising?

Yes, the Green party of Canada believes it is long overdue to reform the governance structure of CBC/Radio Canada to remove the potential for political interference in board appointments.

4. Would you support measures to require large companies like Google and Facebook to pay Canadian content producers a fair fee for their content?

Yes, the Green party of Canada believes it is long overdue to reform the governance structure of CBC/Radio Canada to remove the potential for political interference in board appointments.

5. Would you support measures that would enforce existing laws to hold Big Tech liable for hosting and recommending illegal content like child sexual abuse imagery, hate speech and death threats?

Greens will study options to regulate Facebook, Twitter, and other social media platforms to ensure that only actual people, with verifiable identities, are able to publish on those platforms. This will also help reduce the pernicious spread of disinformation campaigns, which have been undermining our democracy.

6. Will you commit to ending Silicon's Valley tax-free status, by requiring them to charge sales taxes and pay corporate income taxes like every other company?

The Green party will seek to close the loophole that exempts social media platforms from collecting taxes on advertising and ensure all government advertising is placed in Canadian publications.

7. Will you commit to closing the loophole in Section 19 so that foreign digital advertising expenses are no longer tax deductible?

The Green party will seek to close the loophole that exempts social media platforms from collecting taxes on advertising and ensure all government advertising is placed in Canadian publications.

Yes, Greens believe that we must ensure that Netflix and other foreign internet broadcasters are held to the same standard as any other Canadian broadcasters and subject to Canadian Content (CanCon) regulations. These important regulations support artists and content creators to ensure we continue to have a vibrant arts and culture industry in Canada.

Absolutely! Online hate is a serious concern for our party. Online harassment is illegal, the Green Party condemns it and believes that the perpetrators of such harassment or intimidation should be reported and held accountable.

10. Is there anything else you'd like our supporters to know about your views on public broadcasting, local news, Canadian content, or issues surrounding Big Tech?

The Green Party believes that few sectors have such a small ecological footprint but deliver such multi-faceted benefits to communities and our national identity as arts, culture, and media. A vibrant, diverse media sector is a prerequisite for a healthy democracy. Traditional media are withering and disappearing from small markets due to a combination of digital and on-line competition and corporate concentration of ownership. The federal government has a responsibility to address this issue.

Benjamin Sharma - Conservative Party of Canada

We received no response from Benjamin Sharma.