The Wire Report’s 2025 in review

As the busy year came to a close, our deputy editor Phalen Tynes-MacDonald took a look back at The Wire Report’s coverage throughout 2025 and put together this non-exhaustive list of some of the year’s most noteworthy developments. Whatever you were up to over the holidays — whether you spent time with loved ones around the dinner table, fled the cold to go relax on a sun-soaked beach, or just savoured some time for yourself at home — we hope this will help you catch up on all the action taking place in the telecom, broadcasting, and digital sectors as we head into 2026. Happy new year from our team! January Parliament's prorogation dominated the start of 2025 following then-prime minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, leaving four cyber bills dead and throwing digital policy initiatives into uncertainty. Questions were particularly raised about the future of cybersecurity laws, AI regulations, and privacy reforms that had been working their way through the legislature. Against this backdrop of political turbulence, the CRTC continued its regulatory work, launching consultations on the 988 mental health phone service, broadcasting market dynamics, and an internet subsidy for the Far North. The Competition Bureau also made waves by suing Rogers over alleged false advertising in unlimited data plans. More news from January: -- CAB local news plan draws support from industry, jeers from music firms -- Billing issues, wireless service complaints spike in CCTS annual report -- Starlink: Saviour of rural connectivity or threat to Canadian sovereignty? -- Political strife, production cuts challenge independent producers: CMPA head February Former heritage minister Pascale St-Onge’s long-promised proposals for CBC/Radio-Canada's future, including cutting ads from news content, were released in February as a looming election threatened to derail government plans for the public broadcaster. Several companies including Rogers, Corus, Bell, and Telus, saw continued staff cuts that month as well. More news from February: -- Meta's content moderation changes highlight challenges for Canadian digital regulation -- CRTC will not change temporary wholesale decision; final decision still on the table -- Digital divide persists in northern Ontario but is improving, study finds -- AI researchers call on governments to adopt safeguards ahead of elections -- CBC, foreign ministry both deny considering ‘transfer’ of international broadcaster as outlined in department memo -- Google refutes Competition Bureau’s claims in ad market suit -- Government releases framework on expanding wireless service by satellite -- CRTC delays migration to next generation 911 March In March, the Supreme Court of Canada rejected TekSavvy’s request for leave to appeal the CRTC’s reversal of a 2019 decision that would have slashed wholesale access rates for competitor internet providers. The ruling put to rest a fight that stretched on for almost four years. Meanwhile, Ontario Premier Doug Ford cancelled the province’s $100 million contract with SpaceX’s Starlink in response to tariffs imposed on Canada by United States President Donald Trump. The trade war — which is still ongoing — swiftly coincided with the federal election, called later that month, becoming a key issue for voters. Telus also confirmed plans to sell a minority stake in its wireless tower network, following Rogers’ lead in selling off infrastructure. More news from March: -- Privacy commissioner seeks court order against Pornhub parent company -- After months of dispute, Rogers & Corus take fight over channel placements, repackaging to Federal Court of Appeal -- Uncertainty over US tariffs persists for Canadian telecoms, broadcasters -- ‘Outdated’ regulatory tools unsuitable for online environment, streamers tell CRTC -- Millions of Canadians live in news deserts, CCPA finds -- Steelworkers accuse Telus of union busting in Turkey April The federal election reshaped Parliament in April, with key Liberal MPs concerned with the broadcasting and telecom sectors re-elected, while their NDP counterparts were shut out. The Supreme Court upheld the CRTC’s stance that it could not grant telecom companies access to public property to install wireless equipment, only wireline technology. The decision was made despite arguments by Telus and other carriers that excluding wireless tech such as small cells would hinder the deployment of 5G and potentially allow municipalities to act as barriers. More news from April: -- Rogers holds onto NHL broadcast rights for another 12 years -- Ontario prison long-distance rates case back at the CRTC -- Former CRTC chair John Meisel dies at 101 -- Videotron suing Rogers for $91M over Freedom Mobile sale contract -- Rogers saga goes from the page to the stage in December debut -- Parties differ on plans for CBC, digital policy in federal election platforms -- Google asks court to reverse Streaming Act contribution decision -- Media companies get $22 million in funding from Online News Act cash May Despite the many returning faces at Parliament the previous month, May saw a new Liberal cabinet under Prime Minister Mark Carney take shape. First-time MP Evan Solomon (Toronto Centre, Ont.) was appointed the newly created federal artificial intelligence and digital innovation minister, Melanie Joly (Ahuntsic-Cartierville, Que.) took over as minister of industry, and Steven Guilbeault (Laurier–Sainte-Marie, Que.) stayed on as minister of Canadian identity and culture. The government of Quebec also introduced a bill that would allow for the creation of French-language content quotas on streaming services’ platforms, the bill passed at the end of the year. More news from May: -- Wireless ISPs meet urban spectrum deadline, but face higher costs from looming rural transition -- Canadian stakeholders wonder if television production in Trump’s sights -- Telesat ‘bullish’ on government contracts as NATO allies consider increasing defence spending -- Telecom providers spend months preparing for climate disasters, hoping their infrastructure makes it through unscathed -- Court orders Copyright Board to issue new distant signal tariff following dispute -- Changing CanCon rules might benefit from broader consultation, CRTC panel told -- Appeals court dismisses Rogers’ challenge against CRTC’s choice of Quebecor MVNO rates -- Man’s death during Telus 911 outage raises concerns from Manitoba minister June In June, the Federal Court of Appeal heard arguments from the Canadian broadcasting sector on whether or not the CRTC can require online streaming companies to contribute to certain funds aimed at supporting CanCon production. Streamers such as Apple, Spotify, and members of the Motion Picture Association-Canada — including Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Paramount, Crunchyroll, Universal, and Warner Bros. Discovery — are trying to overturn the requirement. Also that month, major telcos pushed back on the CRTC’s decision to continue allowing large incumbents to sell wholesale high-speed internet service to each other, calling on the federal cabinet to overturn the regulator’s policy. More news from June: -- CTA's Ghiz urges feds to treat telecom infrastructure as nation-building pillar, calls for lighter regulation & pro-investment policies -- Telecoms denounce American-style labels for internet providers - The Wire Report -- Ontario government plan to connect everyone to high-speed internet by end of 2025 might be too lofty a goal: CRRBC panel - The Wire Report -- Supreme Court agrees to review Facebook’s arguments in privacy case -- CRTC looking at more options for botnet blocking at carrier level July July saw mixed reaction to the federal government's last-minute decision to scrap its digital services tax (DST), which was issued at the end of June. The move, aimed at reviving trade talks between Canada and the United States, raised questions about the durability of other Canadian digital policies that carry financial implications for U.S. tech companies, such as the Online Streaming Act, Online News Act, and pending online harms legislation. More news from July: -- Wire Report editor Hannah Daley in conversation with CRTC -- Cogeco and Eastlink file joint court appeal of wholesale fibre access decision -- From chatbots to translation: How the public service is using AI -- CRTC, Privacy Commissioner asked to launch inquiries into alleged privacy breach in Niagara phone call misconnections August Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced in August that the federal government would not be overruling the CRTC’s wholesale decision. Telus, which supported the policy, was delighted by the move; other players in the sector were not. Meanwhile on the broadcasting front, Wildbrain announced it was dropping its TV broadcast business, bringing an end to Family Channel, Family Jr., WildBrain TV and French-language service Télémagino. The move followed disputes with Rogers and Bell over allegations of undue preference. The CRTC dismissed both of Wildbrain’s complaints. More news from August: -- Bell finalizes purchase of Ziply -- UPDATED: CRTC approves production funds eligible to receive payments from online streamers -- FRPC report calls for greater transparency, accountability from CRTC -- Crosstalk phone incident in Niagara region potentially caused by lightning strike, Rogers says -- Google violating privacy law by refusing ‘right to be forgotten’ in search results, watchdog finds -- Candidates ‘unchallenged’ and ‘uncovered’ in federal election as a fallout of dying local media: report September The CRTC issued new notification and reporting requirements in September for major telecom service outages, aimed at boosting transparency and consumer protection. The following month, some telecom companies suggested changes, saying the new rules are going to be too burdensome for them to take on, and in too short an amount of time. Also in September, federal and provincial privacy commissioners found that TikTok has not been doing enough to keep children off of its platform or to avoid collecting their personal information. The commissioners' report notes that TikTok “generally disagreed with the findings” of their investigation, though the company did commit to making several changes. More news from September: -- Cogeco, Eastlink further their challenge of cabinet refusal to overrule CRTC wholesale decision -- Telus finalizes wireless tower deal with La Caisse -- Ericsson lays off 100 Canadian employees in move Steelworkers allege is union busting -- Indigenous data sovereignty takes centre stage at connectivity summit October New cybersecurity legislation, Bill C-8, faced criticism from privacy and intelligence commissioners who called for independent oversight, while civil society groups warned the bill strikes at privacy rights despite its stated aim of protecting telecom infrastructure. More news from October: -- Strategic task force looking for ‘bold’ ideas on Canadian AI -- Online News Act undermines outlets’ ability to prevent AI scraping, copyright violations, Parliamentary committee told -- Don’t slack on protecting artists’ work from AI, music industry reps tell heritage committee -- Cogeco, Eastlink get court hearing in appeal of CRTC wholesale access decision -- CRTC overhauls regulations for commercial radio stations -- CBC sues information commissioner over order to disclose Gem subscriber numbers -- ‘Culture is not on the table’ in trade talks amid film tariff threats & domestic digital policy uncertainty, says Guilbeault -- Competition Tribunal hears arguments on ‘public interest’ in online search monopoly case against Google, Apple November The CRTC expanded the definition of Canadian content and set a minimum level for copyright ownership, marking a significant shift in how CanCon is recognized. The decision aimed to modernize decades-old rules for the streaming era, attempting to balance the needs of traditional broadcasters with the realities of global digital distribution. Also that month, then-minister of Canadian identity and culture Steven Guilbeault resigned from cabinet following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. Despite his cultural portfolio, Guilbeault — who was environment minister during the Trudeau government — said environmental issues remain front and centre for him. More news from November: -- UPDATED: Federal budget aims to boost affordability, productivity in Canadian telecom, AI, cultural sectors -- Ericsson and union fight battle over worker jurisdiction as jobs offshore to India -- Stakeholders not worried by Ontario’s delay of total broadband connectivity -- New online harms bill coming soon with other departmental buy-in, Fraser states -- CPAC CEO concerned about funding after CRTC deferral, says organization is ‘emaciated’ -- Court upholds Quebecor capital gains tax strategy, dismisses government appeal -- CRTC directs working group to issue 988 routing plan by next May December Liberal MP Marc Miller returned to cabinet at the end of the year, taking over as the new minister of culture and identity following Guilbeault's departure. Before the holidays, the federal government tabled amendments to the Criminal Code resembling the ghost of the online harms bill. A government source also told The Hill Times that the Liberals are preparing to bring forward new standalone legislation to address harmful content found online in the new year. More news from December: -- Competition Commissioner Matthew Boswell announces Jeanne Pratt as interim replacement as he prepares to step down - The Wire Report -- App store age verification not a silver bullet for protecting children online, experts say - The Wire Report -- CRTC to impose described video, audio requirements on streamers -- Streamers challenge CRTC decision to publicly disclose financial information -- Trump’s trade rep targets Online Streaming Act, Online News Act, raising questions about future of Canada’s cultural exemption phalentm@thewirereport.ca

The Wire Report’s 2025 in review

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By Phalen Tynes-MacDonald
|January 5, 2026

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