C-354An Act to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act (Quebec’s cultural distinctiveness and French-speaking communities)
Private member's bill, introduced in the House of Commons on September 19, 2023
- Status
- At report stage in the House of Commons since October 2, 2024
What it does
Requires the CRTC to consult Quebec or provincial governments before regulating broadcasting matters tied to Quebec’s cultural distinctiveness or French-speaking markets.
What it does
- Requires the CRTC to consult the Government of Quebec about Quebec’s cultural distinctiveness, and other provincial governments about French-speaking markets, before exercising its powers on those broadcasting matters.
Who it affects
- Government of Quebec
- Provincial governments
- Canadian broadcasters
- French-speaking communities
Topics
Background
It amends section 12 of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act.
Where it is
House of Commons
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Completed.
Committee
Completed.
Report stage
Current stage. Now here
Third reading
Not reached.
Senate
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by an MP who is not a minister. These bills compete in a lottery for debate time, and most do not become law. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
2nd reading of Bill C-354, An Act to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act (Quebec’s cultural distinctiveness and French-speaking communities)
Vote 649,
Passed
167 yeato150 nay · 8 paired
Party breakdown for vote 649 Party Position Yea Nay Did not vote Liberal Nay 0 148 8 Conservative Yea 111 0 6 Bloc Yea 31 0 1 NDP Yea 23 0 2 Green Split evenly 1 1 0 Independent Split evenly 1 1 1 Total 167 150
What MPs said
Each party’s first speech on this bill in the House, from Hansard. Excerpts are the speaker’s opening sentences, unedited.
LiberalHelena Jaczek· November 30, 2023
“On September 19, Bill C-354, an act to amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act regarding the cultural specificity of Quebec and the Francophonie was tabled and read for the first time.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caConservativeGérard Deltell· November 30, 2023
“We also took the debate to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage at its meeting last March 10, when I moved a motion specifically asking that Quebec be heard on this bill. Unfortunately, but predictably, the Liberal Party refused.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caBlocMario Beaulieu· November 30, 2023
“This bill responds to an official request from the Government of Quebec during the debates surrounding Bill C‑11 for the federal government to set up a mandatory, formal consultation mechanism with the Government of Quebec. Quebec wants to have its say before the CRTC takes any action that could affect businesses providing services in Quebec or the Quebec market.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.caNDPAlexandre Boulerice· November 30, 2023
“The bill therefore includes francophone minorities outside Quebec. That is very important to us, too, because this is not exclusive to the Government of Quebec, and it could be just as important for the CRTC to consult francophone communities outside Quebec, such as New Brunswick Acadians.”
Read the full speech on openparliament.ca
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At report stage in the House of Commons. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.