By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – The Senate transport and communications committee today unanimously adopted an amendment introduced by Senator Julie Miville-Dechêne that will add a right to privacy clause in the proposed Online Streaming Act, which would empower the CRTC to further regulate digital entities.
“This approach would be similar to that taken in the Telecommunications Act,” federal privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne said when he appeared in front of the committee in September. “It would ensure that privacy is fully taken into account in the interpretation and application of the bill, both by the CRTC…
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The telco also wants penalties charged against the cableco if it doesn’t pay
By Ahmad Hathout
OTTAWA – Bell has filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC today accusing Quebecor’s Videotron of failing to pay it fees related to the implementation of next-generation 9-1-1 networks.
Bell, as the legacy telephone company, provides to the cable company next-generation 9-1-1 services, which is intended to allow distressed callers to send texts, photos, streamed videos and medical information to first responders over the new internet protocol-based 9-1-1 network.
According to Bell, users of its 9-1-1 network must pay two bills – the existing 9-1-1 tariff…
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By Ahmad Hathout
The head of an organization that represents independent fixed-wireless providers said its members are being tangibly harmed by Innovation Canada’s lack of movement on processing their data in the federal broadband map.
Innovation Canada (ISED) told the Canadian Association of Wireless Internet Service Providers (CanWISP) in a January 2022 meeting that the department will not be accepting fixed-wireless coverage data for the federal broadband map, which the government uses to allocate federal funds, according to a letter sent earlier this month to Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings.
ISED officials told CanWISP, according to the letter, that the “data…
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CALGARY — Shaw Communications today released its financial results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year that ended August 31, 2022, reporting a 1.5% year-over-year (y-o-y) decline in quarterly revenue to $1.36 billion and a 1.1% y-o-y decrease in full-year revenue to $5.45 billion.
Shaw’s adjusted EBITDA increased by 1.6% to $624 million in Q4 2022 and by 1.4% to $2.53 billion in fiscal 2022, when compared to the same periods of fiscal 2021.
Funds flow from operations declined 5.3% to $487 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 and fell 11.4% to $1.99 billion…
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By Konrad von Finckenstein, former CRTC chairman from 2007 to 2012
Section 5.1 and 5.2 were added at the last minute, when Bill C-11 was passed by the House of Commons. There was no discussion or explanation as to why they were needed or how they were intended to function.
They provide:
English and French linguistic minority communities
5.1 In regulating and supervising the Canadian broadcasting system and exercising its powers under this Act, the Commission shall enhance the vitality of official language minority communities in Canada and support and assist their development.
Consultation
5.2 (1) The Commission shall consult with official language minority communities in Canada when…
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OTTAWA – The Senate Transportation and Communications Committee defeated five of six amendments introduced by a Conservative senator intended to define parameters in bill C-11, a proposed around proposed legislation that would allow the CRTC to further regulate online streaming platforms.
The bill, also known as the Online Streaming Act, went through a clause-by-clause process at committee on Wednesday.
Saskatchewan Conservative Senator Denise Batters introduced six amendments, five of which did not survive. The first was to amend the definition of community channel to use “language of their choice” rather than “language used in a…
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By Brad Danks, CEO of OUTtv Media Global Inc. (OMG) (pictured above); Monika Ille, CEO APTN; and Luc Perreault, strategic advisor of Stingray Group
The Senate Transport Committee is starting its clause-by-clause review of Bill C-11, an Act to amend the Broadcasting Act. Hours of Committee time have been spent on the scope of the Bill and how it would apply to digital first creators and social media platforms. This is understandable and appropriate.
Far less time has been spent on a weakness in the Bill that will have a much more profound impact on the Canadian broadcasting system and the content Canadians can access….
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By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – A Conservative amendment that would place monetary thresholds on which companies qualify for CRTC regulation under new legislation would allow those companies to skirt the rules, according to a Liberal MP Tuesday during a House Heritage committee hearing.
In its current form, Bill C-18, the Online News Act, would give the CRTC the ability to determine which companies must compensate news publishers to host on their platforms links to news articles.
But the Conservatives are proposing an amendment that would place limits on the application of this law by the…
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Will the USMCA become an issue for implementation of C-11?
By Denis Carmel
OTTAWA – Officials from Canadian Heritage told the Senate Transportation and Communications Committee Tuesday that they were in regular contact with their American counterparts about legislation that would give the CRTC enhanced authority to regulate online platforms.
Owen Ripley, associate assistant deputy minister of cultural affairs, said the government is navigating the United States-Mexico-Canada trade deal and must ensure it is not offside of the trade agreement with bill C-11, the Online Streaming Bill.
As for whether there would be possible retaliation for further regulating American firms, Heritage officials at…
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By Ahmad Hathout
TORONTO – The CRTC should look into the existing agreements and structures in place that deal with network reliability issues before it does anything hasty, according to panelists at the Canadian Telecom Summit, after the chairman said yesterday the commission plans to hold proceedings on the matter.
During his keynote speech on the first day of the conference yesterday, CRTC Chairman Ian Scott said the regulator will be planning proceedings that could examine issues related to reporting of major network outages, including enhancing network resiliency, access to emergency services, consumer communication and compensation, and penalties on providers.
But…
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