On fixed outcomes

The CRTC's move to enable the dissemination of false news leads to a major public outcry:

Canada’s broadcasting regulator has received more than 3,000 responses from the public about its plan to change a regulation that prohibits the dissemination of false or misleading news, most of them passionately opposing the proposal.

The comments are posted on the website of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

So how do the Libs respond to the public's demand to keep some semblance of truth in broadcasting?

Despite the outcry, the joint committee for the scrutiny of regulations is unlikely to back down, said Liberal MP Derek Lee, a long-time committee member.

“The fact that a lot of Canadians are concerned about this means we will have to handle it carefully at committee. We represent them,” Mr. Lee said in a telephone interview Thursday.

“But our main function is to assure legal compliance of all government regulations. I think we will simply proceed with the files as they are, put on the record our response, and acknowledge the desire of the public to do everything we can to assure truth in broadcasting.…”

So for those who made a submission in response to the push for false news, rest assured that the Libs - who figure to hold the median vote on any committee decision - plan to proceed no matter what you say. (Though they will "acknowledge" your interest in the truth before declaring it inconsequential.)

And next time, the media will be free to report that all good Canadians agree with them - no matter what the submissions to the CRTC actually say.