Transparent measure follows Telus
By Ahmad Hathout
MONTREAL – Bell Canada may begin formally separating its mobile phones from tablets and other connected devices in future financial reporting, which will better isolate subscriber figures for 5G-connected peripherals and enhance transparency and comparability with competitors in the industry.
Back in 2018, Telus – which had trailed its competitors on paper when it came to new wireless subscribers – declared that it actually had similar, if not better, smartphone-specific new additions in its base versus its major competitors for certain quarters. The problem was that it, and its competitors, didn’t separate the “quality” smartphone…
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And can we please deal with all the delays?
By Lynn Greiner
TORONTO – The regulatory world is a strange and often not-too-wonderful place, and annually the ISP Summit’s regulatory panel takes a look at its current state. The panel’s theme this year: To Compete or Not Compete in Canada’s Telecom Sector – That is the Question.
This year, moderator Greg O’Brien, editor and publisher of Cartt.ca was joined by panelists Christian Tacit, principal, Tacit Law; Dr. Michael Geist, Canada Research Chair in Internet and E-Commerce Law, University of Ottawa; Laura Tribe, executive director of OpenMedia, a community-driven organization that…
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Briefing call shows urgency, sticking points, for large players on broadcast changes
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – As major Canadian broadcasters fired off rote responses to media requests saying they are still reviewing proposed changes to the Broadcasting Act announced Tuesday, Cartt.ca has obtained early reactions to potential landmark amendments that could see the CRTC enforce foreign online contributions to the benefit of Canadian content.
On Tuesday, Heritage held separate technical briefings with reporters and industry about the proposed amendments under Bill C-10, with Cartt.ca obtaining audio of the latter. The comments and questions in that call suggest an industry in relief,…
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By Greg O’Brien
GIVE THE DEPARTMENT OF Canadian Heritage and Minister Steven Guilbeault some credit for coming up with amendments to the Broadcasting Act which seem, at least upon first reading, like they can actually be turned into law in a minority Parliament.
This is something Guilbeault said would be coming some weeks ago, knowing there is only so much change for which the federal government can marshal support from its political rivals. He told an industry town hall in September: “One of the things we had to think long and hard about is do we go with this massive…
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By Denis Carmel
GATINEAU and TORONTO – There is a general rule in Ottawa that one should not steal the spotlight from public officials, especially Ministers of the Crown. They, of course, had to be elected while officials are merely appointed. And the chairman of the CRTC, a distinguished official, did not derogate from that rule.
As luck would have it, while Ian Scott was addressing the Competitive Network Operators of Canada’s 10th annual ISP Summit being held virtually Tuesday and Wednesday, Steven Guilbeault, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, was in Ottawa introducing significant changes to the Broadcasting Act at the…
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OTTAWA – While tomorrow’s news will be utterly dominated by the U.S. election, November 3, 2020 will be the launch day of a new Broadcasting Act as Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault is expected to table the long-awaited amendments (and some other Acts, too, apparently) to the law.
While things could change at the last minute, the Heritage Ministry has scheduled technical briefings for the new proposed amendments with the both the press and the industry – and the federal government doesn’t do that unless and until it has first tabled the bill in the House of Commons.
According to the Continue Reading
Applications for pre-eligibility open October 30
MONTREAL — Telefilm Canada today issued an industry advisory announcing the details and criteria for applying to the government of Canada’s Short-Term Compensation Fund (STCF) for Canadian audiovisual productions are now online.
The STCF was created as a temporary measure to fill the void left by the lack of insurance coverage for filming interruptions and production shutdowns due to Covid-19 in the Canadian audiovisual production sector. As we reported here, the fund will make up to $50 million available to the industry.
“Through the Fund, Telefilm Canada will indemnify eligible producers for Canadian…
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By Catherine Tait
IN ANOTHER CRUEL TWIST of this pandemic, just when trusted local news has never been so important, its survival is in peril.
If there’s one thing this COVID crisis has shown us, it’s that accurate information can literally be a matter of life and death. And the most critical information is often the news that is closest to home: Is my child’s school safe? What businesses are open or closed in my community? Where can I get a COVID test? What can I do, safely, to support my parents in their retirement home?
Since this pandemic officially began in…
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OTTAWA — The federal government announced Tuesday Justice Luc Martineau (above) has been appointed as chair of the Copyright Board of Canada. The announcement was made by Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Navdeep Bains.
Martineau’s five-year appointment as chair was effective October 2. In his new role, he will “help further realize reforms to the Board and eliminate backlogs in decision making to ensure a transparent and predictable marketplace,” reads the government’s press release.
Martineau was a lawyer for 24 years, eventually establishing his own firm in 1996, before being appointed judge of the Federal Court of Canada and…
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TORONTO — The Canada Media Fund (CMF) announced today it is investing $40.6 million in the development, production and marketing of 94 Canadian audiovisual projects through seven of CMF’s funding programs.
“In addition to administering over $120 million in Government of Canada Covid-19 Emergency Support Funding, the CMF has over the past several months continued to deliver funding though its various programs,” said Valerie Creighton, CMF’s president and CEO, in a press release.
“We have made — and will continue to make — every effort necessary to ensure Canada’s creators take their stories to screens here at home and around the…
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