Singh says NDP 'will take a close look' at supporting Liberal internet broadcasting bill amendment

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh told media on Tuesday that he may be open to supporting the Trudeau Liberals' amendment to the broadcasting bill.

The bill would make it so that user-generated content on social media would be open for government regulation.

Bill C-10 would regulate the internet and social media in the same way that it regulates national broadcasting.

The bill, spearheaded by Heritage Minister Stephen Guilbeault, has drawn criticism from the Conservatives, who have said they would not support the amendment or any compromise, as well as a spokesperson from YouTube, who according to the National Post said:

"Like many, we were surprised to see the Heritage Committee extend Bill C-10 to include social media and user-upload services and apps. This potentially extends CRTC regulation to all audio and audio-visual content on the internet, which has profound implications for not just social media, but virtually all websites, podcasting, online hosting and much more."

On Tuesday, however, Jagmeet Singh said that he would explore the possibility of voting for the bill, saying, "We will take a close look at the amendments and a close look at the bill before giving our final position."

A statement from the NDP's deputy critic for heritage, Heather McPherson, told the Post that the NDP are seeking to even the playing field "between web giants and Canadian companies," and that the NDP "will always stand up for freedom of expression and we will ensure as this bill goes forward that the government presents a strong plan to defend it in the context of the new law."