The chair of CanadaB次元官网网址檚 broadcasting regulator says a controversial online streaming bill will not result in the policing of user-generated content or the mandating of specific algorithms on platforms.

Ian Scott told the Senate committee studying the bill on Wednesday that his previous comments about the federal LiberalsB次元官网网址� controversial online streaming legislation, Bill C-11, were B次元官网网址渢aken out of context.B次元官网网址�

The bill is an attempt to bring CanadaB次元官网网址檚 broadcasting rules into the 21st century by creating a policy framework that would apply for the first time to giants such as YouTube, TikTok and Spotify.

Scott had previously suggested at a meeting of the same committee that the CRTC could require platforms to B次元官网网址渕anipulateB次元官网网址� their algorithms to produce certain results B次元官网网址� a statement that all three companies raised as a serious concern in their own parliamentary testimony.

B次元官网网址淯nfortunately, my previous remarks have been taken out of context by some witnesses that have appeared before you,B次元官网网址� Scott told senators.

B次元官网网址淭he CRTCB次元官网网址檚 objective is to ensure that Canadians are made aware of Canadian content and that they can find it. It is not about manipulating algorithms,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲hat the bill will not do is allow the CRTC to mandate the use of specific algorithms or source code to achieve the objective of promotion and discoverability. And we have no issue with that limitation.B次元官网网址�

Scott added that any regulatory obligations put on online platforms would be subject to public consultations first. That would include the definition of B次元官网网址淐anadian content,B次元官网网址� which he said should evolve over time.

Asked whether the billB次元官网网址檚 Canadian content rules mean that the regulator will be looking to push the content on Canadian users, he said: B次元官网网址淭he CRTC is not, has not, and will not be trying to direct what consumers watch.B次元官网网址�

He said itB次元官网网址檚 not about making Canadians eat B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 about making sure that there are Canadian dishes in front of them.

Scott acknowledged during a question-and-answer period with senators that a platform could choose to change its algorithm as one way to meet their new obligations.

But he said there are other ways to achieve the legislationB次元官网网址檚 goals, and these could include internal or external ad campaigns, curated lists or promotional reels, he said.

Amid concerns that the bill leaves room for the CRTC to regulate user-generated content, Scott said there is no intention to do so.

B次元官网网址淭he CRTC is not being given the power to regulate individual users in relation to the content they create,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd I wish to assure you and Canadians more broadly that the CRTC has no intention of regulating individual TikTokers, YouTubers or other digital content creators.B次元官网网址�

But some senators pushed back, saying that a lack of clarity in the bill could leave room for future CRTC officials to interpret the act differently. As the bill is written, there is no explicit prohibition on the regulation of such content.

Scott repeated that the CRTC is B次元官网网址渘ot interestedB次元官网网址� in conducting such regulation and B次元官网网址渋t makes no sense,B次元官网网址� even if there is jurisdiction.

As senators suggested various amendments to the bill that would address concerns, Scott made it clear that he was B次元官网网址渘ot trying to defend the legislation.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 the job of the minister and the department,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t is for you as lawmakers to decide on the ultimate content, not me.B次元官网网址�

Asked whether itB次元官网网址檚 important for legislation to be clear so that the affected stakeholder community has clarity, Scott answered: B次元官网网址淵es.B次元官网网址�

Several senators asked about a provision in the bill that some critics are concerned would give the government extraordinary new powers to influence how the bill is applied.

Scott insisted that the CRTC is independent and he doesnB次元官网网址檛 think that the government discretion would apply to its individual rulings. B次元官网网址淭here is a very bright line. I have never and I will never discuss a matter in front of us with a minister or anyone else,B次元官网网址� he said.