Pursuant to Standing Order 75(1), consideration of Clause 1 (short title) was postponed.

The Chair called Clause 2.

At 5:43 p.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 5:47 p.m., the sitting resumed.

The Chair presented the Fifth Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, which read as follows:

Your subcommittee met on Thursday, September 21, 2023, to consider the business of the committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

That, the Committee commence consideration of Bill C-27, An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts and that the Minister of be invited to appear on Tuesday, September 26, 2023.

That, in relation to its consideration of Bill C-27, An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts, the Committee invite the Privacy Commissioner of Canada, Mr. Philippe Dufresne to appear on Thursday, September 28, 2023.

That the Committee hear witnesses on Bill C-27 based on, but not limited to, the workplan submitted by the Library of Parliament.

It was agreed, — That the Fifth Report from the subcommittee be concurred in.

On motion of Sébastien Lemire, it was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on the modernization of the regulatory framework and the convergence of wired and wireless products to ensure that future decisions are informed by robust data and recommendations for the benefit of all consumers in terms of accessibility and affordability; that it examine this convergence with relevant stakeholders and what they can enable through technological advancements such as 5G, fiber optics, Wi-Fi 6, and many others; that it examine the need for ubiquitous connectivity, necessary data transmission speeds, and innovative opportunities for businesses and consumers in Canada and internationally; that it scrutinize the operating costs of these technologies and the maintenance of so-called critical infrastructure; that it examine the need for network resiliency in the face of climate change; that it specifically investigate unused spectrum in more remote and rural areas as well as deployment targets; that it examine the need to expand mobile connectivity to improve public safety, particularly along roads and highways; that it examine telecommunications tower construction programs and infrastructure deployment financing; that the Committee allocates a minimum of six meetings for conducting this study and that it report its findings and recommendations to the House .

The committee resumed consideration of Bill C-27, An Act to enact the Consumer Privacy Protection Act, the Personal Information and Data Protection Tribunal Act and the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act and to make consequential and related amendments to other Acts.

Mark Schaan answered questions.

Ryan Williams moved, — That this committee report to the House its disappointment with the government’s failure to reduce cell phone bills by 25 percent, as promised in 2019, while continuing to approve mergers of cell phone providers. Further, the committee report its concern about how some of the highest cell phone prices in the world are contributing to the cost-of-living crisis in general.

Debate arose thereon.

Francesco Sorbara moved, — That the debate be now adjourned.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Julie Dabrusin, Ken Hardie, Viviane Lapointe, Brian Masse, Francesco Sorbara, Tony Van Bynen — 6;

NAYS: Bernard Généreux, Sébastien Lemire, Rick Perkins, Brad Vis, Ryan Williams — 5.