The Public Interest Advocacy Centre today filed the attached Part I application regarding Quebec Bill 74, Loi concernant principalement la mise en oeuvre de certaines dispositions du discours sur le Budget du 26 mars 2015, and blocking of certain websites associated with online gambling.
The application argues that Bill 74 is outside Quebec’s jurisdiction by attempting to encroach on federal jurisdiction over telecommunications. The bill is also inconsistent with past CRTC decisions on website blocking under the Telecommunications Act and infringes on the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
“Bill 74 sets up a dangerous precedent where internet service providers would be responsible for policing the websites their customers access,” said John Lawford, Executive Director & General Counsel to PIAC. “If this is allowed, where will it stop?”
Electronic service of this application has been made to the respondent WSPs and ISPs operating, to our knowledge, in Quebec. Courtesy copies have been sent by e-mail to the Quebec Attorney General, Minister of Finance and Minister of Public Safety, as well as the Attorney General of Canada.
Cover letter filed with CRTC (26 July 2016) confirming service on attorneys-general of Notice of Constitutional Question (with proof of service), CRTC procedural letter, the PIAC application and appendices now effected.
For more information, please contact:
Geoff White
Counsel to PIAC
(613) 612-1190
geoff@geoffwhitelaw.ca
John Lawford
Executive Director & General Counsel to PIAC
(613) 562-4002 x25
lawford@piac.ca