An attack on free speech or a lifeline for Canadian culture?

It's Political with Althia Raj

This week on "It’s Political," we take a deep dive into the controversial Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act. Is it really about censorship and government control over what you see and listen to on the internet? Or is it about safeguarding and promoting Canadian culture and the French language in Quebec on new streaming platforms?

In this episode: Toronto Star reporter Raisa Patel, Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez, Saskatchewan Senator Pamela Wallin, Alberta Senator Paula Simons, Quebec Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne, Canadian Association of Broadcaster President Kevin Desjardins, University of Ottawa Professor Michael Geist, YouTuber J. J. McCullough, Carleton University Professor Dwayne Winseck, YouTube’s Director of Product Todd Beaupré, YouTuber ClydeDoSomethin, former heritage minister Steven Guilbeault, Independent Ontario Sen. Donna Dasko, Anthony Furey formerly of the Toronto Sun, Conservative MP Tim Uppal, TikTok Canada’s Steve de Eyre, and Canadian Association of Film Distributors and Exporters President Noah Segal. Hosted by Althia Raj.

Some of the clips this week were taken from Facebook, YouTube, the CBC, the House of Commons and the Senate’s Standing Committee on Transport and Communications.

“It’s Political” is produced by Althia Raj and Michal Stein. Sean Pattendon mixed the program. Our theme music is by Isaac Joel.