The company wants a broader review of off-tariff agreements
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The largest independent telecom in Canada has filed an application today for the CRTC to review whether Rogers could provide Videotron wholesale access to its network at below market rates, a deal that was struck between the two companies as a sweetener for regulators to approve Rogers’s purchase of Shaw.
TekSavvy had already asked Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne this month to block the deal on the grounds that the wholesale deal was not allowed. And the Competition Bureau filed arguments to be heard in front of the…
Continue Reading
TORONTO – Corus Entertainment announced today it suffered losses in revenue and profit for its fiscal first quarter due in part to advertisers shying away as a result of the pandemic and supply chain issues.
But despite the concern, executives at the pure-play media company said on a conference call this morning they are optimistic about a future of stabilized advertising revenue as more of that supply moves from social media to trusted linear television products. They also expressed optimism about “regulatory change…on the horizon” as a new-look CRTC with new responsibilities means bringing wealthy competitive foreign streamers more under…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – In a wide-ranging interview with Cartt, outgoing CRTC chairman Ian Scott hinted at work at the commission arriving “in the coming months” to drive down broadband prices.
In 2021, the CRTC reversed its 2019 decision to lower the rates at which smaller providers purchase network space from the large incumbents, which stunned the industry. The industry was left with 2016 rates that are higher than the proposed rates that never ended up taking effect.
Acknowledging that the decision “was not beneficial” to small wholesale internet service providers, Scott said in a podcast interview with Cartt contributing editor…
Continue Reading
With nearly three decades of communications policy and regulatory experience under his belt, Ian Scott has quite a bit to say as he leaves his CRTC leadership post today. Listen in as Scott asserts his “vision” for the commission and what it truly means to serve the public interest.
Scott doesn’t hold back on accomplishments, such as narrowing the digital divide, consensus building, and the biggest challenges faced on the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications fronts since 2017.
Scott, never a media-hound, is blunt and frank when addressing criticisms of his tenure. This is a no-holds-barred conversation that includes a few personal…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA — Former CRTC chair Konrad von Finckenstein was appointed last week to the Order of Canada, announced the Governor General of Canada.
He was recognized for “his distinguished and multifaceted career in law and federal public service,” which includes being the chair of the CRTC from 2007 to 2012.
He is listed on his LinkedIn page as an arbitrator for mediation firm JAMS.
A lawyer by training, von Finckenstein was a judge on the Federal Court from 2003 to 2007, commissioner of competition from 1997 to 2003, and before that assistant deputy attorney general in the Justice Department,…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Bell on Wednesday filed a Part 1 application asking the CRTC to strike a decision it made this month that would allow the regulator to collect millions more dollars for a $750-million Broadband Fund that allegedly has yet to distribute the majority of existing funds it has.
The CRTC said in a 2022 revenue-percent charge decision on December 15 that it will collect from service providers $150 million next year for the fund intended to connect more underserved areas with high-speed internet. Increasing amounts of money for the fund is collected on an…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA — The Attorney General of Canada has told the Federal Court of Appeal that it intends to file an application for the court to hear its arguments against a decision by the CRTC forcing CBC/Radio-Canada to apologize for a program’s use of the slur, saying the regulator was not in its statutory right to do so.
Last month the public broadcaster appealed the June 29 decision, stating in arguments filed to the court that the CRTC had no jurisdiction under Section 3 of the Broadcasting Act and failed to take into consideration Charter values…
Continue Reading
OTTAWA – The CRTC said today it has selected the wholesale rate proposed by WildBrain for Rogers to carry its discretionary channels.
“With regards to rates paid by non-Rogers BDUs for the Services, the Commission considers that both offers are competitive,” the commission said in its decision. “Factoring in the ownership composition of the market for Canadian linear youth and children’s services and the Commission’s related public policy objectives, the Commission finds that WildBrain’s offer better reflects the Service’s relative market value.”
Rogers filed an application this summer for the commission to initiate a final offer arbitration process after the two…
Continue Reading
Note: This story has been updated on Tuesday morning with comments from the Competitive Network Operators of Canada and former CRTC Chairman Konrad von Finckenstein
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA — Heritage Minister Pablo Rodriguez announced today the appointment of lawyer Vicky Eatrides as chairwoman of the CRTC for five years, effective January 5.
Eatrides will replace outgoing chairman Ian Scott, who leaves the post on January 4.
Eatrides is a lawyer who has worked since 2005 in various federal positions, including for the Competition Bureau, Natural Resources Canada, and Innovation Canada. Over a 12-year period at the Competition Bureau, she held senior positions…
Continue Reading
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Videotron parent Quebecor has filed a Part 1 application to the CRTC arguing that it is unfair that Bell can charge fees for both the existing 9-1-1 system and the next generation emergency system at the same time.
The cable company must pay a monthly rate to Bell – which is responsible for the operation of 9-1-1 networks – to connect it with emergency services. But because Canada is transitioning to an internet-based system in which distressed callers can send videos, photos and medical information to first responders, the CRTC has ordered that ISPs also pay…
Continue Reading
