OTTAWA – The CRTC on Monday published its plan to tackle the implementation of the new law that will require digital platforms to contribute to Canadian content.
As part of the first phase of its implementation of bill C-11, which became law late last month, the CRTC said it will publish an information bulletin “clarifying technical details for broadcasters” this spring, which ends June 21. In this phase it will also hold consultations including who should contribute, how much and how (the CRTC is proposing streaming services that have more than $10 million in annual revenues); which streaming services will…
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By Connie Thiessen
The CRTC has opened a Part 1 Application for the removal of Fox News from the list of non-Canadian programming services authorized for distribution.
The move comes following publication of an open letter to CRTC Chairperson Vicky Eatrides in early April from Egale Canada calling for the channel’s removal from Canadian airwaves. The LGBTQ advocacy group says the American news channel’s programming is known to incite hate, violence and discrimination, and is in clear violation of Canadian broadcasting standards.
The letter’s main target was former host Tucker Carlson, who has espoused anti-trans views. He was recently released by the network.
Egale notes that specifically,…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC has denied Bell a request for the CRTC to temporarily suspend its collection of money for the $750-million Broadband Fund until it makes a decision on its review and vary application.
Bell filed the Part 1 application in December – in response to a CRTC decision to collect $150 million this year – asking the regulator to immediately stop drawing money from the telecoms toward the fund until it has concluded its scheduled policy review of the fund, which it launched in March. It argued that the regulator…
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CRTC says it has “no intention” to regulate user-generated content
By Christopher Guly
OTTAWA — Following a legislative journey that involved back-and-forth amendments between the House of Commons and Senate since it was introduced in the House in February 2022, Bill C-11, the Online Streaming Act reached the finish line on Thursday when it passed the upper chamber and received royal assent.
“This new law will help ensure Canadian stories and music are widely available on streaming platforms, and will help to reinvest in future generations of artists and creators in Canada,” said the Department of Canadian Heritage in a news…
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By Ahmad Hathout
CALGARY – Rogers is preparing to make additional cuts to the Shaw team, which will include layoffs in the programming and communications departments, according to individuals with direct knowledge of the matter.
Vice president of programming Andrew Eddy and vice president of external affairs Chethan Lakshman are expected to depart the company this week, the individuals said. Katherine Emberly, president of business at Shaw, announced on her LinkedIn page Friday she was also leaving the company.
It is unclear to Cartt how many more are expected to be let go as part of Rogers’s integration of the cable company…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – The CRTC’s commissioner for Manitoba and Saskatchewan has been extended for a five-year term starting in July, according to an order in council dated Friday.
Joanne Levy, whose term was set to expire July 2, has already served one full term starting in 2018.
Levy, of Warman, Saskatchewan, was a television reporter for the CBC in a past life and was director of programming for the Aboriginal People’s Television Network. She was also the owner of television program producer Scorpio Productions.
Barring any early exits, Levy’s extension means the CRTC’s leadership is secured until next August, when the…
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By Christopher Guly
OTTAWA – Should Bill C-18 not pass Parliament, “there is no guarantee that the deals and the agreements that have been currently negotiated in the Canadian context would continue, because there is no obligation on platforms to continue to bargain in that way,” Thomas Owen Ripley, associate assistant deputy minister for cultural affairs at the Department of Canadian Heritage, said at a Tuesday hearing of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications studying the Online News Act.
“Over time, it would be perfectly open for platforms to stop entering into those agreements with Canadian news businesses.”
C-18, which…
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By Ahmad Hathout
TORONTO – Rogers CEO Tony Staffieri said Wednesday that the company’s side agreements with Videotron that are part of its deal to acquire Shaw are “not much different” than existing ones it has in place for other competitors.
The cable giant committed to providing favourable wholesale internet access and roaming deals to the Montreal-based company, which acquired Shaw’s Freedom in the deal, to appease regulators and allay fears that the combination would diminish competition.
But over the last several months, questions were raised by competitors as to the nature of the deals and whether they would significantly advantage Videotron…
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By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said his government supports a bill that would require telecoms to clearly state what internet speeds customers should expect during peak periods.
Bill C-288, which was introduced by Conservative member of Parliament Dan Mazier, requires that telecoms clearly state what “typical” speeds subscribers should see during high congestion periods. The providers typically market the theoretical top end of the range of what to expect.
“The Government of Canada supports Bill C-288 as it reinforces the actions underway to improve broadband performance transparency for Canadians,” Champagne said in response to a…
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Court wrestled with whether Ian Scott’s beer meeting with Bell CEO showed bias
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Lawyers representing TekSavvy argued in front of the Federal Court of Appeal on Monday that the CRTC reneged on its obligation to make just and reasonable wholesale internet rates when it decided in 2021 to fall back on interim costs it set five years prior.
The independent telecom challenged the CRTC’s May 2021 decision that disregarded the lower rates it proposed in 2019, arguing that the regulator breached its mandate to meet the legitimate expectation of the industry…
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