Here's what the candidates in York Centre have to say about our issues
We sent a questionnaire on our key issues to the candidates of the four major parties in York Centre who had published contact information. Two of the candidates answered. Below you'll find their unenedited answers.
On Monday, you'll have a chance to vote in York Centre. We hope these answers will be helpful to FRIENDS supporters as they make their choice.
Ya'ara Saks - 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.
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.
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?
One of the first things the Liberal government did after taking office in 2015 was to reverse the cuts made under the decade of the Harper government by reinvesting $675 million dollars in the CBC/Radio-Canada.
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.
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?
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.
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?
As a vocal Jewish woman, I am unfortunately familiar with the extent of online hate, from open racism and misogyny to threats of violence and intimidation of marginalized voices. No one should be subject to this. I will always support and defend those facing this unacceptable hate regardless of party, and will always work across party lines to improve the level of discourse in our politics and the strength of our democracy.
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?
I strongly believe in the importance of public broadcasting and local news for the civic health of our community, our discourse, and our democracy. The recent decline in local news presents issues that I'm proud the Liberal government is addressing through its support for independent journalism and public broadcasting.
Andrea Vásquez Jiménez - 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 take 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 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.
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.
Julius Tiangson - Conservative Party of Canada
We received no response from Julius Tiangson.
Sasha Zavarella - Green Party of Canada
We received no response from Sasha Zavarella.