Television broadcasters rely on food advertising to offset part of the expense of their newsrooms, says the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. The trade group petitioned senators against a private Liberal bill to ban food ads targeting children.

“When the ability to advertise with Canadian companies is constrained it directly impacts the ability for broadcasters to support essential democratic activities within their newsrooms and their ability to support the creation of Canadian stories,” said Kevin Desjardins, president of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. Testifying at the Senate social affairs committee, Desjardins said industry self-regulation was sufficient.

Bill C-252 An Act To Amend The Food And Drugs Act would grant the Department of Health new powers to restrict advertising to children under 13 any foods containing “more tha