OTTAWA – More than 2,000 Canadians have contacted the CRTC to protest the CBC’s plans to shut down 620 analog over-the-air transmitters by the end of this month, according to the Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS).
The organization, which has urged communities and CBC viewers to demand that the transmission equipment be made available for local public use, said Friday that over 2000 of the requests specifically requested that CBC consult with the affected communities.
CACTUS has proposed that some of the affected communities could not only use the equipment to maintain free access to CBC TV, but also for the provision of wireless high speed Internet, cellular service, and community radio and television.
Noting that CBC to date has not indicated any interest in community consultations about the transmitters, CACTUS called that “puzzling behaviour for a Corporation with a mandate to reach as many Canadians as possible”.
“Furthermore, given the strong interest in maintenance of the CBC’s existing analog infrastructure, and the fact that 250 of the transmitters must be removed from third-party towers by July 31st (if the CRTC approves the CBC’s application), it appears urgent for the CBC, Industry Canada, and the CRTC to streamline a process to transfer ownership of the transmitters and towers to communities that want them”, continues the statement.
