By Connie Thiessen
The CRTC has published its updated Strategic Plan: Connecting Canadians through technology and culture on Friday, setting out “to be a modern, inclusive, and timely regulator.”
The commission says it’s continuing to prioritize areas that have the greatest impact, including modernizing Canada’s broadcasting framework.
“Canadians should have access to a wide range of programming, in both official languages, by a diverse range of creators, including those from Indigenous and official language minority communities (OLMCs),” the plan states.
To that end, the commission says it will continue to work toward:
- implementing the modernized Broadcasting Act to determine how broadcasters should support the broadcast system by establishing a sustainable model for the creation and discoverability of Canadian and Indigenous content, defining Canadian content for audio services, and finalizing individual contributions and requirements for broadcasters.
- helping ensure Canadians have access to timely local and national news on radio and television, including by re-evaluating supports like expenditure requirements.
- reflect the distinct cultural and language objectives of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples by co-developing the Indigenous broadcasting policy.
- foster inclusivity by helping ensure programming is accessible to persons with disabilities and supporting the creation of programming that reflects diverse perspectives.
The commission says it’s also continuing to take action to reduce the administrative burden, streamline processes, and improve transparency and accessibility “while leveraging technology and focussing resources to deliver on its priorities.”
Among its stated priorities are to speed up the publication of decisions, eliminate outdated requirements, and create “a more transparent and predictable environment by updating regulatory plans, such as the Regulatory plan to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework and the Consumer Protections Action Plan, and reporting on our progress to cut red tape.”
The CRTC has also taken steps to promote participation, specifically from under-represented groups, to help ensure a broad range of perspectives, including increasing engagement via its Indigenous Relations and OLMC Teams.
