As a Senate committee continues to grapple with the federal government's controversial Bill C-10, which includes a provision that has riled Canada's creative community, the committee's chair appears to have let some behind-the-scenes perspective slip out.

On Thursday, prominent members of Canada's film and TV production community testified for hours before the Senate committee on banking, trade and commerce to ask for changes to Bill C-10.

The omnibus tax bill includes an amendment that allows the Heritage Department to deny federal tax credits to already completed film or TV production it deems offensive or "contrary to public policy."

Critics have argued that the proposed law would amount to de facto censorship by the government, but Heritage Minister Josée Verner says that the intention is to prevent films that include extreme violence or pornography from receiving tax credits.

At one point on Thursday, Conservative Senator David Angus, who is the committee's chair, adjourned the session, but — before his microphone was turned off — made remarks that are raising some questions.

"The minister agrees. She told me she hates the law," Angus, whose voice was still being carried on an internet audio stream of the hearing, was heard telling someone close by.

"What we want is a sort of moratorium…"

Just a few seconds of Angus's remarks were recorded before the microphone was turned off.

Questioned afterward, the senator denied the comments.

"I did not quote the minister because I did not even talk to the minister," he told CBC News.

"I haven't heard myself say [the comment] and I'm certainly not acknowledging that I said it." Angus added that whatever may or may not been recorded and streamed, he is simply trying to do his job.

The committee meets again April 16 and 17.