Letter to the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture regarding an amendment to the Broadcasting Act

September 5, 2025

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture
Minister responsible for Official Languages
15 Eddy Street
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B3

Dear Minister Guilbeault:

I am writing in regard to the apparent oversight in a coordinating amendment made to the Broadcasting Act by An Act for the Substantive Equality of Canada’s Official Languages (formerly Bill C-13) following the adoption of the Online Streaming Act (formerly Bill C-11) in the previous parliamentary session. This amendment inadvertently removed a new paragraph stipulating that the Act shall be construed and applied in a manner that is consistent with “the right to privacy of individuals” (formerly paragraph 2(3)(b)).

In my view, the requirement that the Broadcasting Act be interpreted and applied in a manner that is consistent with the right to privacy was an important guiding principle, together with the specification that the Canadian broadcasting system should be regulated in such a way as to protect the privacy of audience members (subparagraph 5(2)(g.1)).

I would therefore expect the Government to take steps to correct the error at the earliest opportunity by restoring the privacy-protective language in former paragraph 2(3)(b) so as to reflect Parliament’s intent.

Thank you for your attention to this matter; please do not hesitate to contact me should you require additional information.

Sincerely,

(Original signed by)

Philippe Dufresne
Privacy Commissioner of Canada

c.c.: Isabelle Mondou
Deputy Minister
Canadian Heritage
isabelle.mondou@pch.gc.ca