The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has announced a public consultation on the market dynamics within Canada’s broadcasting system as a part of its work to implement the modernized Broadcasting Act.
The CRTC’s notice of consultation identified two main goals: a fair and competitive marketplace and a sustainable model for the delivery and discoverability of diverse Canadian and Indigenous content.
In its news release, the CRTC shared that it seeks to explore the dynamics among small, medium, and large radio and television broadcasters, television service providers, and online streaming services. It also intends to explore the tools for improving the growth and future of the country’s broadcasting system.
The consultation also aims to assist the CRTC in ensuring that the broadcasting system is fair, competitive, diverse, innovative, and sustainable. According to the CRTC, the system is sustainable if it can be resilient, can adapt effectively to change, and can support and promote access to Canadian and Indigenous content.
The consultation will consider the rules required to ensure a fair broadcasting system, the ways that current and new broadcasters can access the system and offer content to Canadians, and the ways that the existing market dynamics affect the industry’s ability to meet policy objectives under the Broadcasting Act.
The consultation focuses not only on radio and television broadcasters, television service providers, and online streaming services but also on Indigenous peoples, members of equity-deserving groups, and official language minority communities.
How to join consultation
The consultation is open for comments until Feb. 24 at 8 pm (EST). The CRTC welcomes comments relating to a sustainable model for the delivery and discoverability of diverse content, equitable access to the broadcasting system, a fair and competitive marketplace, and possible updates to the current dispute resolution framework.
Interested parties can submit their feedback by completing the online form, sending a fax, or reaching out to the secretary general. First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and Indigenous organizations needing assistance to participate can contact the CRTC’s Indigenous relations team.
All comments provided will be a part of the public record and will inform the CRTC’s decision. Those who have submitted comments can reply to issues raised during the comment period by Mar. 11. The CRTC will then hold a public hearing in Gatineau, Quebec beginning May 12.
According to the notice of consultation, after the hearing, participants can file brief final submissions, respond to interventions received or comments raised during the proceedings, and, if applicable, respond to undertakings.