Cost of cameras in Senate likely to top $700,000
Plan doesn’t include any future costs
OTTAWA — It could cost the Senate at least $700,000 to bring in TV cameras.
The figure, which isn’t final, reflects an estimate for live-streaming the business of the upper chamber online. A full television-quality broadcast system, such as the one in the House of Commons, could cost much more.
The $700,000 plan, being considered by a small committee of senators, doesn’t include future costs for moving the cameras along with senators to a temporary home during renovations to Centre Block on Parliament Hill.
The Canadian Public Affairs Channel has told senators it is willing to spend an additional $600,000 to create a special Senate portal on the CPAC website.
“If you want to do it, there are only a few alternatives and you’ve got to pick one,” said Conservative Sen. Stephen Greene, who heads the four-senator working group reviewing options.
Sen. Doug Black, the second Conservative on the working group, called the decision an “investment issue” and “not a cost issue.”
“This is an issue of reputation,” said Black, an elected senator from Alberta. “Broadcasting of the Senate in a way that accesses all platforms is important.”
Senators plan to have the cameras in the chamber by the end of 2015.
The House of Commons began televising proceedings in 1977. Only in 2002 did the Senate receive time on CPAC to televise committee hearings. Cameras are in the Senate chamber only on certain occasions, such as throne speeches and royal assent ceremonies. The Senate started streaming-audio of debates online late last year. Many Canadians first listened in during the weeks of debate over suspending senators Mike Duffy, Pamela Wallin and Patrick Brazeau.
It’s unlikely, however, that CPAC will be able to carry proceedings live. In a meeting with senators, CPAC officials explained the channel is contractually required to carry live proceedings of the House of Commons ahead of the Senate.
However, Senate proceedings could be carried live by any of the networks, such as CBC, CTV and Global Television, if they wished.