Bexley residents have compared the council removing a swathe of trees to fires tearing through the Amazon rainforest.

Lorraine Sheen, who has lived adjacent to the River Shuttle in Sidcup since 1964, said she was devastated to see Bexley council undertaking tree clearing work near her home this week.

Theyve completely cut them down to the ground, she said of the trees which had lined the River Shuttle along her street.

She added the vegetation acted as important cover for local wildlife such as kingfishers and hedgehogs, as well as adding much-valued privacy for residents along the road.

I moved here in 1964 they were what sold me the house, she said of the formerly leafy surrounds.

The houses here are sold as soon as they come on to market. Those trees were a major part of that.

A spokesperson for the council said the tree clearing work on Berwick Crescent, Sidcup, was essential and proactive work being carried outto remove and prune trees that are potentially dangerous or are growing in unsuitable locations.

Some of these trees require regular pruning (coppicing) to ensure they remain healthy and safe for many to years to come.

A small number of residents have expressed concern and we are always happy to discuss and explain why such works are both necessary and so important.

The council added that, following discussions with residents, additional trees would be planted at the site next year.

On 19 November arboricultural officers met on-site with residents and adjusted the programme to soften the visual impact of the remaining works. In addition a commitment was given to plant several new trees in suitable locations in this area early next year.

However, Mrs Sheen claimed the change in plans was due to the council realising theyve made a mistake.

It is like the fires in the Amazon, she said.

Its vandalismthe wildlife that is now gone, the trees that are never going to recoverthe trunks that are a metre around, they wont grow back in my lifetime.

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Bexley tree removal compared to 'Amazon rainforest fires' - News Shopper

The Tpuna Maunga Authority's plan for wairaka Photo: Tpuna Maunga Authority

Were now into the second week of protest over the removal of 345 exotic trees from the slopes of wairaka/Mt Albert, and theres no resolution in sight.

But this is not a surprise thats been sprung on locals. The Tpuna Maunga Authority (TMA) manages 14 of Aucklands volcanic cones returned to mana whenua in 2014 in a Treaty settlement. It has plans to restore and revegetate all the sacred maunga and those plans havent been done by stealth all the proper planning processes have been gone through, with the management plan publicly notified in April 2016. Public hui about the changes have been held over the last year.

Many locals though say they werent aware of the extent of the tree removal until workers arrived en masse, in the early hours of the morning, to start chopping.

And in a city thats lost a huge amount of its mature urban forest through the removal of protection legislation, who wouldnt protest?

Heres a twist in the tale The Tree Council isnt protesting, and nor is Forest & Bird. Both back the iwi.

Tree Council chair Sean Freeman says he spends all his spare time fighting for trees in the city.

Whether theyre individual trees, or groups of trees in parks, roadside trees so of course its difficult and its painful. But if were to manage the urban forest in a modern city, you have to take a rational and logical approach to the way in which you weigh up decisions about what youre going to do, and what youre going to say is fine, and is not fine.

I have that much respect for the passion that people demonstrate when they put themselves in jeopardy by breaking the law so I have no massive negativity towards the protesters at all.

But we stand with the iwi.

There is an opportunity through whats planned to make an immense difference to the environment in this city, and the Tree Council really hopes that that the Tpuna Maunga Authority has the ability to fulfil the plans that its put forward.

The cone of Mt Albert/Owairaka in a postcard from around 1910 Photo: C.O Hawke, New Plymouth

Freeman says if this plan goes to fruition the maunga will be beacons of natural ecosystems located within high density residential areas.

The tihi summit area - of the maunga will be predominantly free of large vegetation, and will be grassed.

One of the keystone elements of healing the maunga is to re-establish the visual connection between the maunga across the city from one maunga to another.

Freeman says communication about what the TMA wants to do clearly hasnt been totally successful.

Hindsights always wonderful its very difficult for any management authority to know with any certainty if it has communicated effectively, and the lack of response is often taken as acquiescence, whereas clearly this is not the case. Its merely the fact that people arent aware.

A letter drop is not the way the planning scheme works, but Freeman says in this case it might have been a good idea.

They certainly tried, with their public hui that they ran following the hearing approval in 2016. But clearly that wasnt effective either in communicating.

Freeman says the Tree Council has received as much support as it has detractors over this issue, but the nastiness on social media has been ridiculous.

Some individuals need to think very carefully about what it is theyre projecting when they say certain things about the Authority, and about their management plan and about their treaty settlement, he says.

And the English-born New Zealand resident of seven years says we should be proud of our treaty settlements, and put them up on a pedestal.

That kind of justice is not common.

Photo: RNZ

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The battle over wairaka is about more than trees - RNZ

The National Capital Commission is vowing to come up with a uniform strategy to protect the trees that cover nearly three-quarters of its lands.

NCC staff told the board of directors Thursday there's currently only a "patchwork" of policies and practices to manage its forests, many of which are stressed by disease andextreme weather.

The emerald ash borer infestation forced the removal of70,000 ash trees since 2013, while thousands of elms have also been lost to Dutch elm disease since 2000.

Trees in the capital regionface other foes, too, including road salt and urban sprawl.

The NCC, along with the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau, recently produced a comprehensive tree survey of the region, and plans to do more mapping to figure out the right places to plant the right trees.

At Thursday's meeting, theboard heard the NCC does a decent job of protecting its forests with limited funds, especially in light of recenttornadoes and flooding.

"I can't tell you how important I think this is," said NCC board member Larry Beasley, who urged staff to make sure the urban areas are planted with diverse species of trees.

The NCC is planning further consultationwith Algonquin First Nations, and will conduct online public consultation in the spring. Its five-year forest strategy is expected to come to the board for approvalin September 2020.

View original post here:
NCC aiming to fix 'patchwork' approach to protecting trees - CBC.ca

Trees downed for the Stage 2 LRT project. (City of Ottawa photo)

Work for Stage 2 LRT is underway and that has meant tree-clearing in some areas to make room for rail and station construction. Many of these trees will be lost, although some will be relocated where feasible.

Heres a notice from the city detailing how the removal and mitigation is planned:

Area restoration, tree replacement and greenspace re-seeding will be completed as part of the final local area finishing works. An overall average tree replacement ratio of 2:1 (two trees for every one removed) will be replanted along the Stage 2 LRT alignment.

Tree Loss Mitigation and Replacement

The following measures will be taken to mitigate tree loss:

The removal work started in October and is continuing in November with plans to finish it all by the end of this year, to avoid the 2020 bird nesting season. The city said some trees can be relocated rather than destroyed, although most will have to be cut down and the loss compensated for with the replanting program. Tree removal/relocation has to be done before other key construction tasks can be accomplished, such as the cut-and-cover rail trench that will be built along the Sir John A. Macdonald Parkway.

You can see detailed maps of the tree-clearing boundary along the line on ottawa.ca.

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City looking to plant two trees for every one tree cut down for LRT extension project - OttawaStart.com

OTTAWA Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus new federal cabinet has grown by two spots to reach 36 members. Of those, four are from B.C., four are from Atlantic Canada, one is from Manitoba and the rest are from Ontario and Quebec. There are no spectacular surprises in the new cabinet, and many significant portfolios such as finance, defence, justice and Indigenous relations are staying the same. But there were also notable changes as the government retools for a minority parliament situation. Heres an overview of whos moving up, whos moving down and whos moving in.

Promotions

Chrystia Freeland, who as global affairs minister was perhaps the highest-profile minister last term, is now being clearly marked as Trudeaus right hand in cabinet. Shes been named deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs and its that second role that will be especially important as Trudeau grapples with regional grievances and combative premiers. Freelands replacement in global affairs is Franois-Philippe Champagne, who gets a promotion from infrastructure minister. His new job comes as trade tensions remain high and Canada seeks a security council seat at the United Nations.

B..C.s Jonathan Wilkinson takes over the contentious environment and climate change file, moving up from fisheries minister. Having a western-based environment minister who was raised in Saskatchewan may help Trudeau sell his climate policies, though Wilkinson certainly faces a tough task.

Meanwhile, Newfoundlands Seamus ORegan is moving from Indigenous services to natural resources, giving him oversight of the energy and pipeline file. On one hand, hes from an oil-producing province that is no stranger to falling on hard economic times. On the other, ORegan is close personal friends with Trudeau and may not get an easy ride on the prairies.

Another notable promotion is Quebecs Pablo Rodriguez moving from heritage minister to government house leader, a key role in a minority parliament where every legislative move will need careful negotiation with the other parties. Rodriguez will also be Trudeaus cabinet point person on all matters Quebec.

Demotions

Among the top ranks of last terms cabinet there are no massive demotions this time around. Most of the moves are essentially lateral, such as Catherine McKenna moving from environment to infrastructure. But there are still some noticeable steps down.

Bardish Chagger was government house leader last term, but shes been moved out of that role ahead of the minority parliament when it becomes a much trickier job. Instead Chagger has been given the portfolio of diversity, inclusion and youth a vague-sounding title that did not exist in the last cabinet (aside from the fact Trudeau himself had take on the role of youth minister).

Two cabinet ministers have been dropped from cabinet entirely, Kristy Duncan (previously minister for science and sport) and Ginette Petitpas Taylor (previously minister of health). Both are taking on non-cabinet roles, Duncan as deputy house leader and Petitpas Taylor as deputy government whip.

Petitpas Taylor leaves the health portfolio as its about to take on more importance, with Trudeau promising to develop a national pharmacare program. Instead it will be Patty Hajdu, previously labour minister, who shepherds that process.

Cabinet rookies

There are seven newcomers to this cabinet, and the two newly-elected MPs Anita Anand and Steven Guilbeault are also getting two of the toughest jobs.

Anand, a former law professor at the University of Toronto, is now the minister of public works and procurement. Its a complex job that doesnt get a lot of attention outside Ottawa until a major problem arises, such as the Phoenix pay system debacle or the troubled procurement of new fighter jets.

Guilbeault, a well-known environmentalist from Montreal, is taking on the heritage file, a sometimes precarious job for a Quebec politician just ask Mlanie Joly, who was earlier hounded out of that office largely over Qubcois concerns that Netflix got a sweetheart deal over local media production. Guilbeault is also now in charge of the controversial $595-million subsidy package for newspapers, better known as the media bailout.

Other cabinet rookies include Mona Fortier, who becomes minister of middle-class prosperity and associate finance minister; Marco Mendicino, who will be immigration minister; Marc Miller, the new minister of Indigenous services; Deb Schulte, the new minister of seniors; and Dan Vandal, who becomes minister of northern affairs.

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Who's up, who's down and who's new in Trudeau's expanded cabinet - National Post

Cyril Ramaphosa is going to be haunted by the phrase new dawn until he leaves office. The president has used the two-word term extensively since his appointment to the top job, but instead, his administration has been blighted by a series of dark mornings and never-ending nights. The fact that a cabinet reshuffle is allegedly in the works tells you everything you need to know about life in the ANC right now.

According to the Mail and Guardian, several key figures are convinced that Ramaphosa is ready to shuffle his pack, and there could be some high-profile casualties. Were taking a quick look at who may be in the firing line, and where the president wants to put them instead.

This would mark a thinly-veiled demotion for Sisulu, and shoud this go ahead, it would be a damning statement on Cyrils faith in her to solve the water crises currently plaguing South Africa. Once on Ramaphosas slate for the 2017 ANC leadership battle, the minister doesnt enjoy the same cosy relationship with CR any more.

Lindiwe Sisulu still harbours leadership ambitions, and apparently, that doesnt sit too well with the presidents inner circle. Plus, her decision to give the disgraced Bathabile Dlamini a route back into frontline ANC business hasnt endeared her to many. Dlamini, who was made chair of the Social Housing Regulatory Authority this week, is largely blamed for crippling SASSA and the social benefits network.

The KZN ANC stalwart would be tasked with regulating South Africas intelligence unit if the cabinet reshuffle rumours are to be believed. He was appointed to the role shortly after the 2019 Elections concluded, but it looks like he could be on the move again, giving up his office for Sisulu and replacing Ayanda Dlodlo.

And thus, our circle is complete. Dlodlo is being lined up to take Sisulus job. It would seem that, despite retaining both politicians in his cabinet, Ramaphosa is attempting to consolidate his party power.

It would be remiss to complete this list without mentioning the tragic death of former Deputy Minister of Energy Bavelile Hlongwa. She lost her life in a motor vehicle accident back in September, and the president is set to pick her replacement soon. Ramaphosas spokesperson says she expects any cabinet reshuffle would only take place when the new deputy minister is chosen.

Read more:
Cabinet reshuffle rumours: Three ministers who may be on the move - The South African

Local Conservative MP Cathy McLeod and Thompson River University political scientist Derek Cook agree the new federal cabinet unveiled this week will have its challenges.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled a larger cabinet that aims to advance Liberal campaign promises to tackle climate change and promote middle-class prosperity, while attempting to soothe regional tensions worsened by last months minority government election outcome.

Following the Oct. 21 election, Trudeau said Canadians voted to pull together the country, to focus on issues of economic growth for the middle class, to fight climate change and to keep Canadians and their communities safe.

That is our focus and this is the team to do that, Trudeau said on Wednesday, flanked by his 36 ministers outside Rideau Hall in Ottawa.

McLeod said there are many critical issues that will need to be top priorities for cabinet, with the Canadian National Railway strike at the forefront of Labour Minister Filomena Tassis agenda.

For B.C., McLeod stressed the need to renew the softwood lumber agreement with the U.S.

Cook views Catherine McKennas shuffle from Environment and Climate Change to Infrastructure and Communities as a move to an important portfolio that can impact her previous role.

If we want to do something about climate change, we have to put in infrastructural investments, Cook said, adding people need to be given an alternative to working in the fossil-fuel industry.

He said there is plenty of work in a green economy, in which infrastructure plays a big role.

North Vancouver MP Jonathan Wilkinson is McKennas replacement as environment minister, moving over from his last position as minister of fisheries and oceans.

Cook said the appointment is a smart move politically, but noted a conflict is inevitable for Wilkinson in that role as he represents a constituency that is has concerns about the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which the government is committed to completing.

His job will be to convince B.C.ers to support the pipeline or to at least stand aside, Cook said.

Wilkinson and three other Vancouver-area Liberal MPs were retained in Trudeaus cabinet and McLeod hopes they will be advocates for the forestry industry in B.C. regardless of their portfolios.

Harjit Sajjan (Vancouver South) remains minister of national defence, Joyce Murray(Vancouver Quadra) moves from president of the treasury board and minister of digital government to minister for digital government and Carla Qualtrough (Delta) is now minister of employment, workforce development and disability inclusion, transferring from minister of public service.

Among the biggest moves, former foreign affairs minister Chrystia Freeland was replaced by former infrastructure minister Franois-Philippe Champagne, a move Cook views as an upgrade.

The person whos taking over for her is basically a trade expert and, if you want to do well economically, then international trade is important, he said.

Freeland was promoted to deputy prime minister and minister of intergovernmental affairs.

In her new role, Freeland will be the point person dealing with provincial leaders and is also the first deputy prime minister the country has had in more than a decade.

McLeod believes Freeland has been given a tough task, describing the deputy prime minister role with a focus on intergovernmental relations as a necessary portfolio.

Cook said Freeland will have a lot of work to do when it comes to dealing with the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan, where the Liberals were shut out in the election.

Theyre simply offside on the Liberal agenda and I dont see what could be done to bring them back, Cook said.

The Toronto MP, who has roots in Alberta, won praise as a tough, canny negotiator during the NAFTA trade talks. Her diplomatic and negotiating skills will be put to the test in dealing with Albertas Jason Kenney, Saskatchewans Scott Moe and Ontarios Doug Ford.

McLeod noted Canadian unity, the rise of the Bloq Quebecois and challenges facing Alberta and Saskatchewan are among the other issues Trudeaus minority government will have to address.

McLeod was most recently the Conservative Indigenous Affairs critic. The party will be confirming its new shadow cabinet to be named before Parliament resumes on Dec. 5.

McLeod said she does not know if she will retain the critic portfolio.

I havent had any conversations with him, she said of Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer.

Cook said the chairs of cabinet committees, where decisions are typically made, will be telling of who has power in the new cabinet.

Those are the people you write to if you want to lobby the cabinet, he said.

with files from Canadian Press

Chrystia Freelandbecomes Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs

Anita Anandbecomes Minister of Public Services and Procurement

Navdeep Bainsbecomes Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Carolyn Bennettremains Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations

Marie-Claude Bibeauremains Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Bill Blairbecomes Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

Bardish Chaggerbecomes Minister of Diversity and Inclusion and Youth

Franois-Philippe Champagnebecomes Minister of Foreign Affairs

Jean-Yves Duclosbecomes President of the Treasury Board

Mona Fortierbecomes Minister of Middle Class Prosperity and Associate Minister of Finance

Marc Garneauremains Minister of Transport

Karina Gouldbecomes Minister of International Development

Steven Guilbeaultbecomes Minister of Canadian Heritage

Patty Hajdubecomes Minister of Health

Ahmed Hussenbecomes Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

Mlanie Jolybecomes Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages

Bernadette Jordanbecomes Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

David Lamettiremains Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Dominic LeBlancbecomes President of the Queens Privy Council for Canada

Diane Lebouthillierremains Minister of National Revenue

Lawrence MacAulayremains Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Catherine McKennabecomes Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Marco E. L. Mendicinobecomes Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Marc Millerbecomes Minister of Indigenous Services

Maryam Monsefbecomes Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

Bill Morneauremains Minister of Finance

Joyce Murraybecomes Minister of Digital Government

Mary Ngbecomes Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade

Seamus OReganbecomes Minister of Natural Resources

Carla Qualtroughbecomes Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion

Pablo Rodriguezbecomes Leader of the Government in the House of Commons

Harjit Sajjanremains Minister of National Defence

Deb Schultebecomes Minister of Seniors

Filomena Tassibecomes Minister of Labour

Dan Vandalbecomes Minister of Northern Affairs

Jonathan Wilkinsonbecomes Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Cabinet Committee on Agenda, Results and Communications

Cabinet Committee on Operations

Cabinet Committee on Global Affairs and Public Security

Cabinet Committee on Reconciliation

Cabinet Committee on Economy and the Environment

Cabinet Committee on Health and Social Affairs

Treasury Board

Incident Response Group

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Peering into the new Trudeau cabinet - Kamloops This Week

A POTENTIAL 20million replacement school for rundown Doon Academy is still on the table despite a funding knock back.

East Ayrshire Council leader Douglas Reid has been in touch with Scottish Cabinet Secretary Derek Mackay to make the case for the new Dalmellington high school.

The campus proposal would also see the construction of a new primary school for the town.

SNP Councillor Reid said he has written and spoken to the finance minister and received a positive response.

He said: The council have put quite a bit of money towards a new school. We are hoping the Scottish Government will assist with funding as well.

It is hoped another wave of potential Holyrood funding would include cash for the new secondary.

Council officials now plan to submit a second bid since the first one was rejected.

Councillor Reid continued: Fingers crossed for Doon Academy. This would ensure a secondary provision in the Doon Valley.

There are hopes for a definitive answer in the new year, he added.

He described the secondary plans as the final piece of the jigsaw for the area considering Patnas new school and the construction of Bellsbank Primary getting underway.

Highlighting the importance of the high school, he stressed it shouldnt miss out on facilities just because it is small.

Doon Valley Councillor Drew Wilson said it would be one of the largest investments in the area.

The independent politician said: It will be a new modern facility that can only boost the attainment of our young people for the future.

A paper presented to cabinet councillors recently said the Doon Academy building continues to deteriorate.

It saidthe initial bid for Scottish Government funding (for the school) has been unsuccessful.

It is understood refurbishment is not a feasible option because of asbestos.

The secondarys main building has been rated as amber by the council which means it needs work.

The race is now on to get the cash secured and the new school plan back on track.

The councils property management plan report said: progress to finalise a schemewill be required within 2020 with a further bid for funding to be submitted at the next stage of the New Learning Estate Investment Programme.

The new school could cost between 15 million to 20 million.

Read this article:
A 20m replacement school for Doon Academy still on the table - Cumnock Chronicle

41 percent of national parliaments, like the UK, use a bicameral system, meaning that Parliament contains two separate chambers. It is another democratic innovation, started in England, developed over time within the UK and then exported worldwide. However, according to many, it is an aspect of British democracy that has barely progressed from the century it was set up to.

With its 776 members, it is the largest second chamber in the world France and Italy have 348 and 321 respectively and apart from Iran and Vatican City, the UK is the only state that allows clerics to play a part in lawmaking.

During a recent event attended by Express.co.uk, Lord Peter Hain, a former Labour Cabinet minister, called for the House of House of Lords to be scrapped and replaced with an elected US-style senate.

Explaining the radical reform, the peer said: The number of the people in the House of Lords is ridiculous.

It should be at least smaller than the House of Commons.

I believe in an elected House of Lords, or at least 80 percent elected 20 appointed.

I think the quality of debate in the Lords is far higher than the Commons, but I think that the second chamber should represent the country.

Lord Hain added: For example you could, at the same time you cast your vote for the general election, also elect a proportion of peers or senators from Wales or Yorkshire.

When asked whether it would make sense to use the European constituencies after Brexit, the peer said: Thats actually where the working model is.

To use the European constituencies. You would get a number around about 300.

JUST IN:How Conservative Party manifesto barely mentioned Irish border issue

When asked whether he would stand, if an election was tomorrow, Lord Hain responded positively.

Lord Hains comments came at an event organised by the London Grill Club last week..

Lord Hain is not the only peer who backs a reformed House of Lords.

Lord Salisbury, the former leader of the House of Lords, is currently advocating the Act of Union Bill the first attempt to devise a coherent plan for what should happen after many powers return from the European Union.

The blueprint proposes a federal structure for the continuation of the Union, establishing the principle of self-determination among all four parts, as well as radical reforms in Westminster.

One of the most fundamental reforms, the group says, concerns the upper house, the House of Lords.

The bill offers two alternatives, either reforming the House or abolishing it altogether.

Talking exclusively with Express.co.uk, Lord Salisbury explained: I have always thought the House of Lords needed reform.

In fact, its a bit of a family failing.

My great-great-grandfather wanted to reform the House of Lords in the 1860s.

I think that there are also sorts of ways you can reform the House. You get three people in the room, and there are at least four different solutions proposed.

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Lord Hain calls for the House of Lords to be SCRAPPED and replaced with US style senate - Express

Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault makes his way to his first cabinet meeting on Thursday November 21, 2019 on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

Peter Menzies is a senior fellow with the Macdonald-Laurier Institute and a former CRTC vice-chair of telecommunications. While he also advises tech companies, the opinions here are his own.

The first priority for Canadas freshly installed ministers responsible for the overhaul of broadcasting and telecommunications legislation will likely be to do no harm.

And in the short term, that might mean doing nothing at all.

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Veteran Navdeep Bains returns to cabinet as Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (ISI) along with rookie Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault. Early next year, they will receive the recommendations of the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislation Review (BTLR) panel established in 2018. In a less volatile political environment, the next step would be to create new legislation recognizing that much has changed since the current acts were put in place, and a country of spectrum scarcity has been replaced by a world of global access on infinite platforms.

But we have a minority government. That means framing sensible new legislation involving broadcasting will be a delicate matter because when a cultural discussion happens in Canada, language politics become involved, which means the issue of Quebecs cultural autonomy comes up. Keeping in mind Quebec has never really conceded its jurisdiction over communications matters, that means it will be extremely difficult to frame any new legislation that could not be used by the Bloc Qubcois and others to inflame francophone sensibilities.

Given that francophone creative work is already funded at about $1.50 per capita compared with 75 cents per capita for anglophone work along with the rise of sentiment favouring Western independence, it seems risky to poke that hornets nest of linguistic anxieties, existential angst and transfer payments/pipelines resentments. When it comes to broadcasting and cultural funding, the matter is quite simple: Quebec will be angry if it doesnt get more, and the West, already in an explosive state, will be even angrier if it does.

Mr. Guilbeault will be very aware that one of his predecessors and colleagues, Montreal MP and now Economic Development and Languages Minister Melanie Joly, was undone as Heritage Minister when her 2017 deal with Netflix failed to carve out a specific piece of the Netflix pie for francophone production in Quebec. (Despite the fact it took Netflix less than two years to invest the $500-million it promised to invest in five, that sentiment remains.)

Her replacement and now Government House Leader Pablo Rodriguez adamantly maintained that carriers of online video should be drawn into the broadcasting system an argument rejected by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) for two decades prior to its embrace of the same in its 2018 report, knowingly titled Harnessing Change.

That regulators and legislators would frame the internet as little more than the new cable betrays a very poor understanding of what is now the countrys most vital communications tool. The Federal Court, upheld by the Supreme Court in 2012, has already ruled that internet service providers are not broadcasting distribution units (BDUs), and yet this notion reminiscent of when automobiles were called horseless carriages persists.

New communications legislation, if it is to be progressive and capable of building a 21st-century foundation for economic success, must make it clear that the affordability and availability of the online world is vital to the productivity of all industries not just the 2.8 per cent of gross domestic product generated by the creative/entertainment sector. To do that, a new act must clearly dictate non-interference in the flow of legal content and sever the financial dependency between cultural financing and BDU revenue by funding creators directly. Principles of net neutrality must be embedded to remove the possibility the CRTC will one day, as it suggests, be measuring the percentage of online videos posted on news sites to ensure a sufficient percentage are Canadian.

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Mr. Bains has shown some sensible instincts in this regard and the government has spoken virtuously of net neutrality in the past, but all the policy talk through the election campaign was about preserving the 20th-century status quo. And that has the potential to take us all back to when the current Telecommunications Act was enacted: 1993. Its hard to imagine anyone wants to go there.

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Ministers must tread lightly with telecom industry - The Globe and Mail