Q&A: Senator explains why Canada needs stronger penalties for copper wire thieves - The Wire Report Sen. Paula Simons also discussed how Bill C-14 incorporates some of her committee's recommendations for tackling copper theft, and why it was "refreshing" to work on a more pragmatic Senate report.

@senatorpaulasimons.bsky.social also spoke about how Bill C-14 incorporates some of the study’s recommendations, as well as why it was “refreshing” to contribute to a more pragmatic Senate report. #cdnpoli

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/04/17/q...

National Film Board resistant to possible merger with Telefilm, CMF - The Wire Report A rumoured proposal to merge Canada’s audiovisual agencies is receiving pushback from the National Film Board (NFB), according to a source familiar with the matter.

The rumoured proposal would see the NFB, which makes and distributes documentaries and animated features, combined with Telefilm Canada and the Canada Media Fund (CMF), both of which provide funding for entertainment projects.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/04/16/n...

Is what you’re watching AI? You have the right to know, says House committee - The Wire Report The heritage committee published its report on how AI could impact Canada’s creative industries. Among the 13 recommendations is a call for standardized labels on all AI-generated content.

Canadians should know if a social media post, television show or any other content was made by AI, according to a new report from the House heritage committee.
#cdnpoli #CHPC

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/04/14/i...

Cohere executive won’t confirm company would remain Canadian-owned amid merger rumours - The Wire Report After emphasizing the importance of AI sovereignty, Cohere executive Joëlle Pineau said it was not her place to comment on whether the company would stay headquartered in Canada following a potential ...

After emphasizing the importance of AI sovereignty, Cohere executive Joëlle Pineau said it was not her place to comment on whether the company would stay headquartered in Canada following a potential merger with Germany's Aleph Alpha.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/04/14/c...

Q&A: National Film Board chair wants her organization’s productions to air on CBC - The Wire Report In an exclusive interview, NFB chair Suzanne Guèvremont spoke about the how its partnership with the CBC could lead to more NFB productions airing on CBC, as well as other collaborative opportunities.

In an exclusive interview with The Wire Report editor @davislegree.bsky.social, NFB chair Suzanne Guèvremont spoke about how its new partnership with CBC/Radio-Canada could lead to more NFB productions airing on CBC, as well as other collaborative opportunities.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/04/10/q...

According to Liberal strategists, even if the resolutions pass this week, they are not likely to influence the current government’s approach to digital policy. #cdnpoli

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/04/10/l...

According to sources in the arts and culture sector, the minister said the upcoming review of North America's free trade deal will not affect the longstanding exemption for Canadian books, films, music, and other cultural outputs.
#cdnpoli

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/04/09/l...

Originally a vocal critic, floor-crossing MP changed tune on Liberal cybersecurity bill before joining government - The Wire Report Newly-minted Liberal MP Marilyn Gladu’s final appearance as a Conservative was spent defending Bill C-8 from Tory criticisms, including those which she had previously championed.

“There has been some misinformation put out about this bill,” said then-Conservative MP Marilyn Gladu, directly contradicting her own long-held criticisms of Bill C-8, almost two weeks before joining the Liberal caucus.
#cdnpoli

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/04/08/o...

CRTC could still force U.S. streamers to pay up, even if they lose court case: industry reps, lawyers - The Wire Report According to industry players, it’s likely a question of how, as opposed to whether, streamers will be forced to pay — effectively leaving the CRTC in a ‘can’t-lose’ situation.

According to industry players, it’s likely a question of how, as opposed to whether, streamers will be forced to pay — effectively leaving the CRTC in a ‘can’t-lose’ situation. 

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/31/c...

New NDP Leader Avi Lewis has proposed a national telecom option. Can he make it happen? - The Wire Report During his victory speech on Sunday, Lewis said Canada has "three telecoms corporations with mobile data rates that can cost a thousand times what people pay in Finland, and the worst customer service...

During his victory speech on Sunday, Lewis said Canada has "three telecoms corporations with mobile data rates that can cost a thousand times what people pay in Finland, and the worst customer service on earth."

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/30/n...

Canadian internet companies say their livelihood depends on changes to Copyright Act, but Ottawa hasn’t taken action

www.hilltimes.com?p=497288

Canadian internet companies say their livelihood is dependent on changes to the Copyright Act — but Ottawa hasn’t taken action - The Wire Report For more than two years, the ISP Coalition has been lobbying to alter a part of the Copyright Act they argue leaves them vulnerable to massive annual penalties without any recourse.

For more than two years, ISPs have lobbied the government to alter a specific part of Canada’s copyright legislation, which they argue leaves them vulnerable to massive annual penalties (potentially totalling billions of dollars)

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/26/c...

‘Second-classness’ in wholesale internet: Independent ISPs hope Bell-Telus dispute will prompt service standards reform - The Wire Report Now, smaller competitors say they are not the only ones struggling with the quality of service they receive.

Although the dispute between Bell and Telus over how they provide wholesale services to each other has been settled, smaller competitors say they are not the only ISPs struggling with the quality of service they receive

By @phalentm.com

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/24/s...

‘It’s a success for Canada’: Oscar winner for The Girl Who Cried Pearls urges Ottawa to maintain support for National Film Board

www.hilltimes.com/2026/03/20/i...

Canada-EU digital trade deal could set global standard for data, privacy regulations: experts - The Wire Report Talks of a DTA between the two jurisdictions officially kicked off earlier this month — but Canada’s lack of modern digital policy is the elephant at the negotiating table.

Talks of a DTA between the two jurisdictions officially kicked off earlier this month — but Canada’s lack of modern digital policy is the elephant at the negotiating table.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/20/c...

Ottawa open to merging National Film Board, Telefilm: government source - The Wire Report The Liberal government plans to appoint a panel tasked with modernizing the country’s audiovisual sector. Part of the group’s mandate will include deliberating the proposal, The Wire Report has learne...

BREAKING: The Liberal government will appoint a panel tasked with modernizing the country’s audiovisual sector, The Wire Report has learned. Part of the group’s mandate will include deliberating a proposal to merge various organizations that support CanCon.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/19/o...

‘It’s a success for Canada’: Oscar winner urges Ottawa to maintain support for National Film Board - The Wire Report “The National Film Board is such a unique institution and so important and has such an incredible history. We would not have made this film without it...," said The Girl Who Cried Pearls co-creator Ch...

"The National Film Board is such a unique institution and so important and has such an incredible history. We would not have made this film without it, and Canada would not have had this moment culturally," said The Girl Who Cried Pearls co-creator Chris Lavis:

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/19/i...

Government advisors expect online harms law to reintroduce digital regulatory body - The Wire Report Emily Laidlaw, who co-chaired the original advisory group, said the regulatory structure in Bill C-63 was “sound,” and should not change in the forthcoming bill.

Emily Laidlaw, who co-chaired the original advisory group, said the regulatory structure in the Online Harms Act was “sound,” and should not change in the forthcoming bill.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/19/g...

Ottawa forecasts fewer Canadian TV shows, movies; slashes heritage budget amidst cost-cutting efforts - The Wire Report Over the next three years, Canadian Heritage’s budget is expected to decline by $750 million (34 per cent), with a significant portion impacting the department's work related to “creativity, arts an...

The federal government is anticipating fewer Canadian creative outputs over the next fiscal year, while simultaneously making wide-spread budgetary and personnel cuts to the heritage department.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/18/o...

Q&A: Liberal MP introduces new bill to update spectrum framework, improve cell service in rural areas - The Wire Report In an exclusive interview with The Wire Report, Marianne Dandurand spoke about the impact of poor cell service in rural communities and how she hopes to fix it through her private member's bill C-268.

In an exclusive interview with The Wire Report, Liberal MP
@madandurand.bsky.social spoke about the impact of poor cell service in rural communities and how she hopes to fix it through her private member's bill C-268. #cdnpoli

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/13/q...

Canadian media warns of ‘democratic deficit’ amidst local news closures, AI content ‘theft,’ and big tech’s capture of ad market - The Wire Report The House heritage committee held two hearings for its study on the “state of journalism and media sectors” this week.

The House heritage committee heard urgent pleas from Canadian media representatives this week, who warned the mass closure of local news outlets is creating news deserts and undermining civic engagement across the country.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/13/c...

Bell scraps broadcasting complaint against Telus, marks second recently-dropped dispute between telcos - The Wire Report Bell's withdrawn application argued Telus had given Rogers Communications Inc.’s Sports & Media division undue preference in the way it packaged the two companies discretionary services.

Bell has scrapped its undue disadvantage claim against Telus, making it the second dropped dispute between the two telcos in recent weeks.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/11/b...

A court challenge has put the streaming act on hold — but some U.S. companies are still sending money to Canadian funds (and no one knows why) - The Wire Report As the cultural sector awaits a court ruling that could force streaming companies to help produce Canadian content, money has already started to quietly flow to select Canadian funding agencies.

As the cultural sector awaits a court ruling that could force streaming companies to redirect millions of dollars to help produce Canadian content, money has already started to quietly flow to select Canadian funding agencies, The Wire Report has learned:

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/09/c...

Q&A: CRTC chair opens door to raising base contribution level following court ruling on Online Streaming Act - The Wire Report CRTC chair Vicky Eatrides has raised the stakes on a forthcoming court decision on the efforts of U.S. streaming companies to be absolved of mandated funding contributions for Canadian news and cultur...

CRTC chair Vicky Eatrides has raised the stakes on a forthcoming court decision on the efforts of U.S. streaming companies to be absolved of mandated funding contributions for Canadian news and cultural organizations.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/06/q...

Liberals discontinue temporary funding supports for CBC - The Wire Report Government funding for CBC/Radio-Canada is set to fall by $192 million during the 2026-27 fiscal year, as Ottawa opted not to continue provisional funding boosts for the public broadcaster.

Government funding for @cbcradiocanada.bsky.social is set to fall by $192 million during the 2026-27 fiscal year, as Ottawa opted not to continue provisional funding boosts for the public broadcaster:
#cdnpoli

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/02/l...

SpaceX receives support from Indigenous groups, Rogers to utilize E-band frequencies in Quebec and Alberta - The Wire Report The Native Women’s Association of the N.W.T. said, as the digital demand continues to grow, it is important providers serving rural and remote communities “have access to the spectrum required to meet...

The Native Women’s Association of the N.W.T. said, as the digital demand continues to grow, it is important providers serving rural and remote communities “have access to the spectrum required to meet future needs.”

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/03/02/s...

BREAKING: Telus, Bell drop wholesale fibre access dispute - The Wire Report The sudden change of pace, in an argument that has been escalating since January, was revealed in a staff letter addressed to both companies from the CRTC on Feb. 27.

BREAKING: BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. have dropped their dispute over wholesale fibre access on each others’ networks, as revealed in a CRTC staff letter.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/02/27/b...

Feds cut CRTC budget by more than $4M - The Wire Report A CRTC spokesperson said the regulator expected the cut, adding that it is not projected to impact the organization’s day-to-day business.

The CRTC’s year-over-year resources will drop by $4.3 million, as the federal government cut the regulator’s organizational funding by 20 per cent.

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/02/27/f...

‘Godfather of AI’ says Canada must align with medium-sized countries to force U.S. tech companies into regulation tent - The Wire Report Canadian Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton told a Senate committee that Canada does not have the resources to take meaningful steps in AI regulation – at least, not alone.

Canadian Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton told a Senate committee that Canada does not have the resources to take meaningful steps in AI regulation – at least, not alone. 

www.thewirereport.ca/2026/02/27/g...