The CRTC has informed the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) via a letter that the commission will not rescind and reissue its Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2025-52 on modernizing its policies for radio and audio streaming in Canada.
Earlier this month, the CAB had asked the CRTC to start over on the consultation, saying the commission’s preliminary views expressed in its call for comments effectively affirmed a regulatory status quo, including maintaining existing music quotas on commercial radio stations, while also increasing their obligations with respect to emerging and indigenous artists and possibly news. This will deepen a “competitive imbalance between traditional and digital platforms” as it doesn’t appear online undertakings will be subject to similar content quotas, based on the CRTC’s initial views in its consultation notice, the CAB asserted.
In a March 18 letter addressed to CAB president Kevin Desjardins, the CRTC’s vice president of broadcasting, Scott Shortliffe, wrote that the notice of consultation (NoC) was launched as part of the commission’s broader regulatory plan to implement the modernized Broadcasting Act.
“The objective of this proceeding serves to review many policies and regulatory tools that support Canadian and Indigenous audio content. NoC 2025-52 is broad in scope, covering many complex and interrelated issues, including those of importance to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and its members,” Shortliffe’s letter said.
He noted that preliminary views expressed in the NoC “are intended to stimulate discussion and no decisions have been made.” He also pointed out that several questions in the NoC provide an opportunity for stakeholders to make proposals regarding commercial radio stations and traditional audio undertakings, specifically:
- Q11. Should content requirements for the broadcast of Canadian and French-language musical selections be maintained for commercial radio stations? Please explain.
- Q12. Would reducing the administrative and financial burden on commercial radio stations while maintaining content requirements represent an equitable and sustainable approach to contributions? Would this approach help level the playing field? Please explain.
- Q30. Does the Commission’s preliminary view for a renewed annual financial contribution framework, which includes online and traditional audio undertakings, align with various business models found within the current broadcasting system? Please explain.
- Q31. How can the Commission ensure that traditional audio undertakings (radio stations, satellite and pay audio services,) and online audio services contribute equitably to the development and promotion of Canadian content? Should the financial contribution level be the same or different for various types of undertakings? Please explain.
Shortliffe said in his letter that all submissions to the proceeding will be given due consideration by the commission, and he reiterated the deadline for submitting interventions is April 7. Replies to comments are still due by April 22. A public hearing is scheduled to start June 18 in Gatineau.
Photo via CAB
