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…
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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…
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Regional carriers say no conflict with ISED’s spectrum licensing rules
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC’s decision last spring to mandate seamless roaming between networks should be struck down because the technical configurations of such a requirement falls exclusively in the domain of the Radiocommunications Act administered by Innovation Canada (ISED), the large telecoms argued today.
The regulator’s April 2021 decision, which broadly mandated wholesale access by regional players to the large wireless networks, also included the requirement that the host network ensure that calls are not dropped when the user on one network is switched to another when roaming. It…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Canada’s largest telecoms argued before the Federal Court of Appeal today that the CRTC was wrong when it ruled in its mobile wireless review last year that it did not have jurisdiction to address issues related to wireless access to municipal infrastructure.
The case stems from an August 2021 appeal by Telus against parts of the CRTC’s wireless review decision, which approved mandatory wholesale access to the large networks by regional service providers with facilities and spectrum.
But in the CRTC’s April 2021 decision, it also refused to wade into the issue of wireless…
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Regulator leaves open possible regulation on credit card fees more broadly in the future
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC said today that it will not allow Telus to charge credit card fees to customers in areas where its services are regulated, arguing that it would negatively impact service affordability for Canadians and said such fees could be examined more broadly under a new proposed policy direction from Innovation Canada.
In August, Telus asked the CRTC if it could charge a 1.5% fee to customers paying by credit card in areas of British Columbia and Alberta where services…
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OTTAWA — The CRTC yesterday denied an application by City Wide Communications to reverse a decision by the commission that declined to force Eastlink to move its point of interconnection (POI) from Pennant Point to a core location in Halifax.
City Wide had filed the original Part 1 application back in May 2020 after the Dartmouth-based telecom alleged that Eastlink misrepresented that the rural Pennant Point POI was carrier-neutral and served by competitive transport facilities when the CRTC approved Eastlink’s request in 2016. City Wide has said the Pennant Point POI has increased its transport costs because its further…
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By Connie Thiessen
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters blasted today’s CRTC review of commercial radio, saying it doesn’t do enough during a time when broadcasters are losing money and are having to compete against “unregulated options.”
The first commercial radio policy update since 2014, one of the review’s key changes offers greater flexibility to Common Ownership Policy. For markets with eight commercial radio stations or more operating in a given language, an individual may now be permitted to own or control as many as four stations, with a maximum of three stations within one frequency band (FM or AM) in…
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Laizner’s term was set to expire next summer
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Christianne Laizner, the CRTC’s vice chair of telecom, is retiring from the commission next month, according to a farewell note to colleagues.
Laizner’s retirement takes effect January 4, six months before her term was set to end in July. Her retirement also comes on the same day that chairman Ian Scott’s term – who was extended for four months in September – is ending.
“I know the Commission will benefit from an exciting new leadership team in 2023 and I look forward to following all the Commission’s successes and innovations in…
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TORONTO – Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor in Council has appointed former CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais as a member of the province’s land tribunal, according to a November 23 release.
Blais was one of seven appointed to the position, effective November 17, that will be responsible for adjudicating matters related to land use planning, environmental and natural features and heritage protection, and issues related to valuation and compensation.
A long-time civil servant and lawyer, Blais was the former chairman of the CRTC from 2012 to 2017, and was known for his consumer advocacy. Until earlier this month, he was assistant deputy minister to…
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OTTAWA and GATINEAU — The CRTC today launched its third call for applications to its $750-million Broadband Fund for projects to improve access to broadband internet and mobile wireless services across Canada.
The CRTC’s third call focuses specifically on transport infrastructure projects, mobile wireless infrastructure projects along major roads, and projects requiring operational funding to increase satellite transport capacity in satellite-dependent communities, a press release explains.
“The CRTC is placing increased emphasis on community consultation and resiliency,” the release reads. “This means that when assessing the projects submitted under this call, the CRTC will…
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