OTTAWA – While acknowledging that it is still in “a transition and adaptation period”, the streamlined Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) highlighted its goal to focus on policy and copyright matters in an internal memo to members this week.
The private broadcasters’ lobbying group stressed that it will provide members with strategic analysis, research and information on CRTC and government proceedings in order to assist with members’ respective filings with the CRTC and/or government, rather than spend “Association and member resources discussing and preparing detailed written submissions and appearances in dozens of public proceedings each year.”
“As an illustration of the new approach, the CAB recently filed a CRTC submission regarding the Local Programming Improvement Fund, filed comments with the CRTC to move up certain regulations dealing with its new Distant Signals policy flowing from the BDU proceeding and also filed a response with Industry Canada on digital television transition issues,” the memo detailed.
Pledging to continue “on-going dialogue with decision-makers within the Parliamentary system”, the memo also clarified that “contrary to assertions made by some that the CAB will be focusing solely on politicians and not the CRTC, this was never the intent of the restructuring exercise, nor was it represented to members in this way.”
“Policy and regulatory processes do not operate in silos, and the Association continues to recognize the CRTC as the quasi-judicial body appointed by Parliament to oversee the regulation of broadcasting in Canada as clearly set out in Section 3 of the Broadcasting Act,” the memo continued.
The Association said members should expect CAB to deal with “priorities such as copyright, addressing new regulatory and policy obligations for broadcasters, and government fees (Part I and Part II)” in its 2009-2010 fiscal year.
It also announced that it has hired an executive search firm to help it find a new president. The organization has been without an official leader since past president and CEO Glenn O’Farrell left at the end of January.
