CCA Bulletin 10/11 - An alliterated update: CRTC, C-470 and CETA

Just the Facts

CRTC - On March 7, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) approved BCE’s acquisition of CTVglobemedia (CTVgm) and laid out the benefits package and conditions linked to its approval. In its submission to the consultation on the sale of CTVgm to BCE, the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) had 1) asked for a robust public benefits package for Canadians commensurate with the magnitude of the transaction; 2) raised concerns about the vertical integration of the Canadian broadcasting and multi-platform distribution companies which puts the latter in the driver’s seat. 

Bill C-470 (charitable status) is heading for second reading in the Senate today. It may reach Royal Assent before the writ drops… if an election is called at all! 

CETA negotiations are progressing but at a slower pace. The next round is set to take place in Ottawa on April 11. (more)

CCA Bulletin 31/10 - Of this and that and other things: A pre-holiday wrap up (Part 1)

Well, it’s that time of the year again. Parliament Hill is ablaze with holiday lights, the House of Commons is in recess until January 31 and we are all fretting for a well deserved break after a remarkably busy fall. 

Before wrapping the season’s gifts, it is time to wrap-up a number of issues before we all take off.  In this first bulletin, you will find the latest on:

• C-32 - Revision of the Copyright Act
• The next federal budget: no input from the parliamentary committee!
• Where is Bill C-470 at? 

C-32 – Revision of the Copyright Act: The political battle lines are drawn

Parliamentarians have been at it since November 25, when the newly formed legislative committee began its public hearings with both Ministers Moore and Clement. So far, 14 individuals or organizations have appeared in front of the committee, whose work is set to resume on February 1, the date at which the CCA has been invited to appear. The list of expected witnesses is long and still growing.(more)

CCA Bulletin 30/10 - Why Bill C-470 should be defeated

Just the facts

As reported in CCA Bulletin 22/10, Bill C-470 has passed second reading in the House of Commons and is now heading for study by the standing committee on finance. Introduced by the Hon. Albina Guarnieri (Liberal, Mississauga East – Cooksville), this private member’s bill would allow the Minister of National Revenue to deregister any charitable organization, public foundation or private foundation that has paid any employee $250,000 or more in total compensation. This would put an unprecedented compensation cap on charitable organizations and foundations. It would also allow the minister to publish the names and compensation details of a charitable organization’s or a foundation’s five highest earning employees, regardless of their compensation level.

While many cultural workers in Canada need not lose sleep over having their salaries capped at a quarter million dollars, Bill C-470 has consequences not only for a number of major arts organizations, but also for the smaller ones. This is why the Canadian Conference of the Arts (CCA) has asked to appear in front of the committee and at the request of the committee’s clerk, has sent, like many other charitable organizations in Canada, a one pager which outlines the reasons for its opposition to the bill, at least in its current form. (more)

CCA Bulletin 22/10 – Remuneration for charity staff: the CCA joins chorus of concern over Bill C-470

Just the Facts

As reported in CCA Bulletin 16/10,  Bill C-470 passed second reading in the House of Commons in April and is now on its way to hearings by the Standing Committee on Finance. Introduced by the Hon. Albina Guarnieri, Liberal MP for Mississauga East – Cooksville, this bill would allow the Minister of National Revenue to deregister any charitable organization, public foundation or private foundation that paid any employee $250,000 or more in total compensation (including salary, paid benefits and unpaid benefits). Effectively, this would put a compensation cap on charitable organizations and foundations. It would also allow the Minister to publish the names and compensation details of a charitable organization’s or a foundation’s five most highly paid employees, regardless of their compensation level. (more)