The chair of Canada91裸聊视频檚 broadcasting regulator says a controversial online streaming bill will not result in the policing of user-generated content or the mandating of specific algorithms on platforms.

Ian Scott told the Senate committee studying the bill on Wednesday that his previous comments about the federal Liberals91裸聊视频� controversial online streaming legislation, Bill C-11, were 91裸聊视频渢aken out of context.91裸聊视频�

The bill is an attempt to bring Canada91裸聊视频檚 broadcasting rules into the 21st century by creating a policy framework that would apply for the first time to giants such as YouTube, TikTok and Spotify.

Scott had previously suggested at a meeting of the same committee that the CRTC could require platforms to 91裸聊视频渕anipulate91裸聊视频� their algorithms to produce certain results 91裸聊视频� a statement that all three companies raised as a serious concern in their own parliamentary testimony.

91裸聊视频淯nfortunately, my previous remarks have been taken out of context by some witnesses that have appeared before you,91裸聊视频� Scott told senators.

91裸聊视频淭he CRTC91裸聊视频檚 objective is to ensure that Canadians are made aware of Canadian content and that they can find it. It is not about manipulating algorithms,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淲hat the bill will not do is allow the CRTC to mandate the use of specific algorithms or source code to achieve the objective of promotion and discoverability. And we have no issue with that limitation.91裸聊视频�

Scott added that any regulatory obligations put on online platforms would be subject to public consultations first. That would include the definition of 91裸聊视频淐anadian content,91裸聊视频� which he said should evolve over time.

Asked whether the bill91裸聊视频檚 Canadian content rules mean that the regulator will be looking to push the content on Canadian users, he said: 91裸聊视频淭he CRTC is not, has not, and will not be trying to direct what consumers watch.91裸聊视频�

He said it91裸聊视频檚 not about making Canadians eat 91裸聊视频� it91裸聊视频檚 about making sure that there are Canadian dishes in front of them.

Scott acknowledged during a question-and-answer period with senators that a platform could choose to change its algorithm as one way to meet their new obligations.

But he said there are other ways to achieve the legislation91裸聊视频檚 goals, and these could include internal or external ad campaigns, curated lists or promotional reels, he said.

Amid concerns that the bill leaves room for the CRTC to regulate user-generated content, Scott said there is no intention to do so.

91裸聊视频淭he CRTC is not being given the power to regulate individual users in relation to the content they create,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淎nd I wish to assure you and Canadians more broadly that the CRTC has no intention of regulating individual TikTokers, YouTubers or other digital content creators.91裸聊视频�

But some senators pushed back, saying that a lack of clarity in the bill could leave room for future CRTC officials to interpret the act differently. As the bill is written, there is no explicit prohibition on the regulation of such content.

Scott repeated that the CRTC is 91裸聊视频渘ot interested91裸聊视频� in conducting such regulation and 91裸聊视频渋t makes no sense,91裸聊视频� even if there is jurisdiction.

As senators suggested various amendments to the bill that would address concerns, Scott made it clear that he was 91裸聊视频渘ot trying to defend the legislation.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淭hat91裸聊视频檚 the job of the minister and the department,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t is for you as lawmakers to decide on the ultimate content, not me.91裸聊视频�

Asked whether it91裸聊视频檚 important for legislation to be clear so that the affected stakeholder community has clarity, Scott answered: 91裸聊视频淵es.91裸聊视频�

Several senators asked about a provision in the bill that some critics are concerned would give the government extraordinary new powers to influence how the bill is applied.

Scott insisted that the CRTC is independent and he doesn91裸聊视频檛 think that the government discretion would apply to its individual rulings. 91裸聊视频淭here is a very bright line. I have never and I will never discuss a matter in front of us with a minister or anyone else,91裸聊视频� he said.