OTTAWA – Three organizations representing community television and radio stations have applauded amendments made to clarify the role of “community” in Bill C-11, legislation which would give the CRTC enhanced powers to regulate content on internet platforms in support of Canadian productions.
The Canadian Association of Community Television Users and Stations (CACTUS), the Fédération des télévisions communautaires autonomes du Québec (the Federation), and the National Campus and Community Radio Association (the NCRA/ANREC) said in a press release today that the contentious legislation, which passed third reading in the House this week and is now before the Senate for pre-study, more…
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OTTAWA – In response to a report from the industry committee urging the federal government to block Rogers’s proposed takeover of Shaw Communications, Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne declined to comment on the matter specifically but pointed to a number of policy developments that he says will help alleviate concerns about telecom competition and prices.
In March, the committee recommended that the government block the proposed deal on the grounds that it allegedly would stunt competition. If ISED – which is reviewing the spectrum licensing portion of the deal – permits the merger, the committee urged the government…
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By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – On Tuesday, the Senate transportation and communications committee heard pointed opposition to a bill that would give the CRTC the ability to further regulate the online realm to support Canadian content.
The committee is currently in a pre-study phase in its examination of Bill C-11, the highly contentious legislation that drew strict rebuke from witnesses Tuesday.
The first hour was devoted to former CRTC Chair Konrad von Finckenstein and University of Ottawa law professor Michael Geist. The first formally proposed specific amendments to various sections to narrow the scope of the bill.
“(…) I certainly do not agree…
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Licencing decision gives CBC more latitude, concerning some commissioners about mandate
GATINEAU — Canada’s broadcasting regulator is taking a new approach to the objectives of the government-funded CBC/Radio-Canada Wednesday, as it shifts the focus on spending over certain hourly quotas in the hopes of supporting a broader range of diverse Canadian programming over more platforms.
Following a lengthy proceeding that included a 14-day public hearing in January 2021, the CRTC announced today the five-year renewal of CBC/Radio-Canada’s broadcasting licences until August 31, 2027, saying the commission is adopting a “modern approach”…
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GATINEAU — Following a lengthy proceeding that included a 14-day public hearing in January 2021, the CRTC announced today the five-year renewal of CBC/Radio-Canada’s broadcasting licences until August 31, 2027, saying the commission is adopting a “modern approach” for the public broadcaster’s traditional and digital services.
“The emergence of online platforms has changed the way Canadians consume audio and audiovisual content, including the CBC/Radio-Canada’s programming. The CRTC is adapting the way in which it regulates the national public broadcaster to provide it with more flexibility to fulfill its mandate across traditional and online platforms, while recognizing…
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OTTAWA — Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act, passed third reading in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon and cultural associations in the country were quick to celebrate.
The legislation, which heads to the Senate and is currently in a pre-study phase, seeks to amend the Broadcasting Act to give the CRTC the ability to regulate online content, including having large tech platforms contribute more to the promotion of Canadian content.
The Coalition for the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (CDCE) said in a press release it was “relieved and pleased” Bill C-11 passed the third reading.
“CDCE…
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BILL C-11, THE Online Streaming Act, rightly raises important questions about transparency and trust — but not necessarily the ones that its critics would have you think.
I believe that C-11 is generally a good law that does what it purports to do: modernize the Broadcasting Act to ensure that online streamers and platforms play by the same rules as Canadian broadcasters do when it comes to investing in and promoting Canadian content….
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By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act which has over the past several weeks gone through clause-by-clause review, is going to the Senate.
After a long process, the proposed bill — which seeks to amend the Broadcasting Act to give the CRTC the ability to regulate more online content — passed the report stage* after dealing with amendments — two Conservative ones were defeated and one, proposed by the government, was adopted unanimously.
Meanwhile, the Senate transport and communications committee will be starting the pre-study of the bill Tuesday June 21st with two panels, one…
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OTTAWA – It has been well over a year since the federal government sent the CRTC a letter asking it to come up with a three-digit suicide crisis support phone number.
Last June, the CRTC opened a proceeding asking for comments on the implementation of such a number. The original deadline for submissions was Sept. 1, 2022, but on Nov. 30, the Commission extended the deadlines for interventions to January 31, 2022, and the deadline for replies to March 17, 2022.
It is unclear at this point how much longer Canadians will have to wait to have the phone…
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By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – On Wednesday at 6:30 p.m., the Senate Committee on Transport and Communications met to consider a draft agenda to conduct a pre-study of Bill C-11 during which it was agreed that the department of Canadian Heritage, the CRTC, Konrad von Finckenstein, Michael Geist and Pierre Trudel will be heard in the week of June 20 to 22.
The Department of Justice and the Privacy Commissioner were also mentioned.
Last night, the Heritage Committee finished clause-by-clause review of the bill, and today the chair reported the bill back to the House with amendments.
After it passes third reading,…
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