Much at stake in TQS acquisition hearing

On Monday June 2, the CRTC will begin its hearing into the acquisition of TQS Inc. by Remstar Broadcasting Inc. from Cogeco Radio-Television Inc. and CTV Television Inc. Unlike past ownership hearings, the commission's determination may set off a battle to drastically change Canada's broadcasting regulatory structure. When Remstar announced its acquisition of TQS in April, it outlined drastic plans for reviving the bankrupt network - namely shutting down news operations in Montreal, Quebec City, Sherbrooke, Trois-Rivières and Saguenay on Sept. 1, cutting 270 jobs as a result. Quebec politicians reacted almost immediately - not only calling on the CRTC to either deny the transaction request or order Remstar to maintain TQS' local news operations, but also advocating that Quebec be afforded additional control over broadcasting in the province. First, Quebec Premier Jean Charest sent a letter to three federal ministers saying Quebec wants to begin negotiating the right to control telecommunications and cultural policies within the province. In fact, Charest's letter predated the Remstar announcement, but Charest held up the intended news cuts as further proof of why the CRTC's power should be devolved. But while Charest's goal is more input into CRTC decisions affecting Quebec broadcasters, other parties are calling for full autonomy to regulate broadcasting within the province. For instance, provincial parties Parti Québécois and Action démocratique du Québec are advocating for Quebec to have control over telecommunications in the province. And at the federal level, the Bloc Québécois is calling for the creation of a Quebec radio-television council, or the CQRT, which would have full control over issues such as licensing new Canadian and foreign channels in the province. "This body will ensure that Quebec culture will be predominant in the face of foreign culture - a protection for Quebec culture and not a laxity for foreign culture," said Maria Mourani, Bloc MP for the north-end Montreal riding of Ahuntsic, at a news conference earlier this month. "What Mr. Charest is asking for is a type of regional branch office. What we are asking for is really a devolution of powers."The Bloc's devolution vision isn't limited to Quebec; it believes Ottawa should entrust the power to regulate broadcasting to any provinces interested in doing so. Such a situation would not be a world first. Germany delegated control of broadcasting to its states following World War II, but the action was motivated by reducing central control over broadcasting after years of abuse by the Nazis. Hardly the situation in Canada. Quebec residents speak up on proposed transactionQuebec politicos aren't the only ones concerned about the proposed cancellation of TQS' local news operations. Many of the 240 interventions received on the application by the CRTC were from Quebec citizens, outlining the importance of the TQS news to their lives. "Please add our names to the list of supporters against the closing of the news department of TQS Quebec," writes Linda and Jean-Louis Johnston, from Valcartier Village. "We are a bilingual family and we have always watched both French and English newscasts in the morning and evening. Please do not accept the proposed changes to TQS."While the citizens concerned about the transaction will not be appearing before the commission, a large contingent of interveners will. The hearing begins Monday in Montreal, with seven interveners, including the Bloc's Mourani, appearing after TQS. On Tuesday the venue shifts to Quebec City, where 15 more interveners will testify before the CRTC.

Much at stake in TQS acquisition hearing

News | 05/30/2008 1:47 pm EDT

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