Wireless lobby sues Quebec over Bill 74

Canada’s wireless telecom lobby declared that the new Quebec Internet law that would ban access to some online gambling sites is unconstitutional.

Canada.- Canada’s wireless telecom lobby filed court papers on Wednesday challenging Bill 74, which aims to ban access to a number of online gambling sites, for deeming it unconstitutional.

Marc Choma a spokesman for the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association explained that the rules governing the country’s telecom industry fall strictly under federal jurisdiction and Quebec’s new law violates the Telecommunications Act by forcing Internet companies to control or influence content. The lobby called on Quebec Superior Court to declare the new law invalid.

On the other hand, Quebec Finance Minister Carlos Leitao has said his law, which was passed last May, is necessary to ensure online gambling companies maintain responsible gaming rules. Bill 74 grants provincial gaming authority Loto-Quebec the right to draw up a list of online gambling companies operating outside provincial rules. Internet service providers would then be compelled, under threat of financial penalty, to block Quebecers’ access to these sites.