A federal government that only a few years ago spoke brightly about innovation and embracing the 21st century has sadly lost its way.
That was made apparent this week when – smuggled in on U.S. election day when it would get the least attention possible – Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault unveiled legislation giving the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) sweeping new powers.
Those powers would crush consumer freedom, tax and regulate content on the internet, and ultimately stifle investment, while increasing the cost of Netflix and other subscriptions.
In a nutshell, the legislation ends 25 years of CRTC net neutrality and signals the end of an era of unprecedented prosperity for the Canadian film and television industry.