GATINEAU – The CRTC announced yesterday that it has junked its idea to allow limited access to confidential information between parties in a dispute.
As first reported by Cartt.ca, the Commission said about a month ago it was “of the view that there may be instances where, in order for a party to be able to participate meaningfully in a proceeding, it must receive some access to confidential information. In order to allow for meaningful participation while respecting the confidential nature of certain information, the Commission proposes to grant confidential access under certain conditions in broadcasting and telecom proceedings, as well as make provision for in camera proceedings.”
But after seeing comments from the industry players – all of it negative – the CRTC abandoned the idea yesterday, saying: “The Commission received comments on the proposed Practice Direction from the following parties: The Alliance of Canadian Cinema Television and Radio Artists; a joint submission from Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership and Bell Canada; Bragg Communications Inc, carrying on business as EastLink; the Canadian Association of Broadcasters; the Canadian Conference of the Arts; the Canadian Film and Television Production Association; CanWest MediaWorks Inc.; the Directors Guild of Canada; Friends of Canadian Broadcasting; Goodmans LLP, on behalf of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, Providence Equity Partners and Madison Dearborn Capital Partners; MTS Allstream Inc.; Public Interest Advocacy Centre; Quebecor Media Inc.; Saskatchewan Telecommunications; Shaw Communications Inc.; TELUS Communications Company; and the Writers Guild of Canada.
“All parties expressed concerns with the proposed Practice Direction and almost all opposed its adoption,” reads the release.
