OTTAWA – Perhaps a little lost in the explanation of the CRTC’s policy release on BDUs, specialties and fee-for-carriage was a warning from the chairman that the Commission’s pace may have to slow a little, due to a shortage or resources.
While introducing Konrad von Finckenstein Monday morning, Canwest’s head of regulatory, Charlotte Bell, noted the CRTC was “tackling many issues at a breathtaking pace,” and that he has “called as many hearings as any chair that I can remember.”
However, when he took the stage Monday morning for his highly anticipated explanation of how the Commission came to its BDU/Specialty/FFC decision, von Finckenstein referenced his address at last year’s CAB gathering (“It was not an entirely friendly talk…”), where he strongly lit into the broadcasters for being dead set against any increase in funding to the CRTC.
However, the speech had an effect since the Commission did get two years worth of additional funding, but not the three von Finckenstein had asked for. The new money has helped as the Commission has realigned its organizational structure, reduced times to release decisions and hired some additional expertise, among other things.
But then again, unplanned items – like the recent federal government request for a report into minority language broadcasting (with a January hearing), has to be wedged into the Commission schedule – and budget.
But, von Finckenstein wasn’t there Monday to again ask for more money, since he knew the answer. “We heard you absolutely crystal clear: ‘don’t bother’,” he said.
And with the way the economy has soured between last year and this, “everybody has to tighten their belts, including the Regulator,” he added.
So what does that means in practical terms (given that there is an accessibility hearing this month, new license application hearing in December, the new media review in February, major license renewal hearings for the private broadcasters in April and the CBC in September and three new proceedings arising just from last week’s policy announcement)?
“Our pace will have to slow down because of less resources,” said von Finckenstein.
