CRTC looking at dispute between local TV stations and Meta, after tech giant misses submission deadline

An ongoing dispute between a group of independent television stations and Meta Platforms Inc. has taken another twist after the Facebook parent company missed a deadline for responding to an application before the CRTC. On Feb. 4, the local independent television station group (LITS) filed an application asking the commission to allow collective bargaining with Meta, after it accused the tech giant of illegally posting content to Facebook and Instagram. If permitted, any bargaining would be part of the Online News Act provisions. Meta submitted a response to the application, in which the company argued any bargaining process would apply “only to ‘an operator, an eligible news business or a group of eligible news businesses’.” “Meta is not an operator, and is therefore not required to participate in the bargaining process,” the initial letter read. However, the U.S. tech company did not respond to a revised application from LITS submitted on Feb. 23. Meta had until March 30 to provide additional comments, but did not send its submission until April 16 — more than two weeks after the submission window had closed. In its latest letter, Meta reemphasized its original position, adding the remedy sought by LITS “is not properly the subject of the bargaining process prescribed by the Act,” and LITS does not “have standing to bring an application against or in respect of Meta in these circumstances.” Meta does not intend to take any further steps in relation to LITS’s “demands,” continued the letter. LITS subsequently wrote that Meta’s position is “unclear,” as the tech firm’s letter “contains largely familiar assertions, bereft of supporting argument or evidence.” “It serves to confirm, however, that Meta has reviewed the record of the proceeding, and even commented twice, but has chosen not provide a substantive response,” wrote LITS, which represents 15 television stations across the country. LITS also said Meta’s comments are “not prejudicial” to the organization, and therefore the group would have no objection if the CRTC chose to accept it, despite the fact it was submitted outside the filing deadline. “We are satisfied that the record of this proceeding – our application, interventions and reply – adequately addresses the matters raised in all Meta’s letters to the Commission, and in particular, Meta’s mistaken interpretation of the Act,” the letter said. Considering the most recent letters from Meta and LITS were submitted after the initial deadline, the CRTC is now taking comments on whether it should consider the comments as part of its broader examination into the application from LITS. The regulator is also open for comments on whether it should accept a reply from the National Campus and Community Radio Association, which replied to various interventions associated with the application, despite the fact that only applicants may reply to interventions, according to CRTC rules of procedure. A CRTC staff letter from April 24 said the regulator issued “several letters and requests for information (RFIs) to Meta,” in relation to the Online News Act between October 2024 and December 2025. The staff letter said Meta “may supplement its responses to the RFIs, in light of the current proceeding,” but that other parties will also have an opportunity to respond to Meta’s submissions. The letter said “comments must be filed within 15 days and responses within 10 days of the due date for comments.” but did not specify a day or time for the deadline. It added any documents must be received, not merely sent, by the deadlines. news@thewirereport.ca

CRTC looking at dispute between local TV stations and Meta, after tech giant misses submission deadline

Regulatory |
By Wire Report Staff
|April 28, 2026

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CRTC looking at dispute between local TV stations and Meta, after tech giant misses submission deadline

Regulatory | By Wire Report Staff |April 28, 2026

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