VANCOUVER – CRTC chairman Charles Dalfen spoke to the broadcast industry for the last time on Friday in his position as chair, from which he steps down as of December 31st.
He was given a rousing standing ovation after his speech to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters convention, which touched upon the highlights of his five years at the helm of the Commission. Given the tectonic shifts in the media landscape during Dalfen’s tenure as head of the CRTC, few broadcasters envied his position as the regulator struggled to make Acts written in another time fit today’s media age.
He recognized the shift in thinking, a "growing demand for choice and less regulation," he added. This growing demand is coming from all sectors, especially online, he acknowledged, which boosts competition for broadcasters, he said.
Dalfen affirmed what most in the industry believe: that Canadian content rules will continue to apply through the Broadcast Act, but have to be modified to serve today’s consumer.
The rumor mill as to who might be taking over for Dalfen has centred on one name, Fernand Belisle, who was mentioned when Cartt.ca first broke the story in September.
The CRTC’s radio review policy report will be released well in advance of Dalfen’s departure.
