IN-DEPTH NEWS STORIES
Only foreign streamers should be paying contribution, CRTC told
Internet and Governance | 11/29/2023 10:48 am EST
Major broadcasters think that there should be a flexible contribution regime for Canadian programming – just so long as they don’t have to pay into it. The CRTC is continuing its hearings into the ramifications of the Online Streaming Act.
Tuesday’s session began...
Social media companies must be compelled to address safety concerns, research chair tells ethics committee
Internet and Governance | 11/28/2023 6:07 pm EST
The government needs to set clear standards of transparency and accountability that all social media platforms should be required to meet, if it hopes to address concerns...
Pending class action from prisoners’ families against Bell lands on CRTC desk
telecom | 11/28/2023 1:36 pm EST
On a day in July, 2016, a man received eight long-distance collect calls...
IATSE calls for variety of funds to promote Canadian broadcasting
Media | 11/28/2023 9:24 am EST
Renewal of the Canadian broadcasting system should not rely on one rigid...
APTN says funds needed to support public service broadcasters
Internet and Governance | 11/27/2023 4:56 pm EST
The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) on Friday called for the...
INDU hears Canada must not surpass European or Quebec privacy laws
Internet and Governance | 11/24/2023 5:06 pm EST
While the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and...
Community radio calls for new funding at CRTC
Internet and Governance | 11/24/2023 7:56 am EST
Representatives from several community radio stations emphasized their role as a third-pillar of the Canadian broadcasting system during the CRTC’s hearings on Thursday, urging the regulator to develop a new funding model that supports them.
As the regulator works out...
Regulation of AI necessary, HUMA committee told
Internet and Governance | 11/23/2023 12:50 pm EST
Canada will need to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) to protect workers while at the same time...
BQ says media is in crisis and needs immediate action
Media | 11/23/2023 8:40 am EST
Canada’s news media are in crisis and the government is taking too long to respond, the House of...
Indigenous content is distinct from CanCon: Indigenous Screen Office
Media | 11/23/2023 8:29 am EST
The Indigenous Screen Office (ISO), newly certified as an independent...
Bell lays out contribution framework proposal at CRTC
Internet and Governance | 11/22/2023 9:13 am EST
BCE Inc. revealed more details on Tuesday on its proposal for how base contributions from online...
Education key to combating foreign interference on social media, ETHI hears
Internet and Governance | 11/21/2023 5:12 pm EST
Canadians need to be educated about the dangers posed by foreign actors...
PKP proposes 20 per cent base contribution for foreign online platforms at CRTC hearings
Media | 11/21/2023 4:59 am EST
The long-awaited hearing on how the CRTC should...
UN sets up advisory body to investigate AI globally
Internet and Governance | 11/20/2023 3:17 pm EST
The United Nations (UN) has created an advisory body on artificial intelligence (AI). Even though Canada...
Bell appeals CRTC last mile fibre access decision, saying it will face irreparable harm
telecom | 11/17/2023 10:18 am EST
BCE Inc. is asking the Federal Court of...
CRTC reopens Rogers application seeking changes to Bell’s BNS services
Internet and Governance | 11/16/2023 6:47 pm EST
The CRTC has reopened a Part 1 application originally submitted by Rogers Communications Inc. back in 2019, asking the regulator to make changes to BCE Inc.’s billed number...
Eastlink competitors seeking compensation for “negligence” during outage, ask for investigation similar to Rogers outage
Internet and Governance | 11/16/2023 6:39 pm EST
City Wide Communications Inc., Frontier Networks...
Telecoms oppose remedies in NG911 Part 1 applications
telecom | 11/16/2023 2:37 pm EST
The major telecommunications companies in Canada oppose suggestions that they pay for pre-production...
Network upgrades and standards are needed to support Canadian public safety: Ericsson
telecom | 11/16/2023 12:12 pm EST
Public safety networks in Canada need to be...
Quebecor begins beta launch of Fizz in western Canada
telecom | 11/15/2023 3:39 pm EST
Quebecor Inc.’s Fizz will be available outside of Quebec in the “coming weeks”, CEO Pierre Karl...
St-Onge releases Streaming Act direction to CRTC
Internet and Governance | 11/14/2023 5:09 pm EST
Tuesday Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge issued the final policy direction to the CRTC that will implement the Online Streaming Act. The bill was passed last spring and the commission has been holding consultations on the policy directions this summer. Over 500...
Satellite ready to integrate with cellular communications: TerreStar
telecom | 11/13/2023 5:11 pm EST
Earlier this month, TerreStar Solutions Inc. announced it successfully...
OPINION: CRTC must stay vigilant against potential appeals or delays by incumbent network operators
telecom | 11/10/2023 5:08 pm EST
by Paul Andersen, president and chair, The...
Quebec, E.U., provide templates for AI rules: INDU committee told
Internet and Governance | 11/10/2023 4:19 pm EST
Canada should look to other jurisdictions when it comes to regulating...
White to step down from CNOC
telecom | 11/10/2023 11:24 am EST
Geoff White of the Competitive Network Operators of Canada will be stepping down as executive director,...
PKP says CRTC interim FTTP access rates need to be reflective of Bell’s true costs; Freedom lifts Quebecor to profitable Q3
telecom | 11/09/2023 4:48 pm EST
Quebecor Inc. president and CEO Pierre Karl...
Staffieri applauds CRTC move to “level the playing field” in Ontario and Quebec; reports quarterly loss
telecom | 11/09/2023 4:40 pm EST
Rogers Communications Inc. CEO Tony Staffieri...
CTS 2023 regulatory panel react to CRTC mandated FTTP wholesale access
telecom | 11/08/2023 1:10 pm EST
UPDATED: CTS regulatory blockbuster react to CRTC FTTP decision...
Connected For Success program reflects key values: Rogers
telecom | 11/07/2023 5:23 pm EST
MISSISSAUGA, Ont.--Programs to bridge the digital divide experienced in...
TekSavvy says it is not up for sale day after CRTC fibre wholesale access decision
telecom | 11/07/2023 4:05 pm EST
TekSavvy Solutions Inc. is no longer up for sale, the independent telecom service provider confirmed to The Wire Report Tuesday.
In June it was reported that the ISP...
Bell responds to CRTC decision by cutting fibre investment
telecom | 11/06/2023 8:34 pm EST
BCE Inc. has announced its decision to cut capital expenditures and reduce...
Telecoms must reach out to next generation of customers: CTS keynote
telecom | 11/06/2023 6:11 pm EST
MISSISSAUGA, Ont.--There is a disconnect between telecom providers and...
BREAKING: CRTC mandates wholesale access to FTTP networks in Quebec, Ontario
telecom | 11/06/2023 4:45 pm EST
MISSISSAUGA, Ont.— The CRTC is mandating large incumbent telephone...
Don’t underestimate telecom in fighting climate change: CTS panel
telecom | 11/06/2023 4:29 pm EST
MISSISSAUGA, Ont.--Although media articles of sustainability tend to focus...
Facilities-based competition fuels Canadian telecom’s $77B contribution to GDP: CTA
telecom | 11/06/2023 2:15 pm EST
MISSISSAUGA, Ont.— The Canadian telecommunications sector has contributed nearly $77 billion in direct GDP and the support of 724,000 jobs in 2022, according to a report...
Telus posts record net customer growth, 75% decline in profits
telecom | 11/03/2023 6:23 pm EDT
Telus Corp. reported a 75 per cent drop in profits for the three months...
AIDA needs to be scrapped, civil society groups tell committee
Internet and Governance | 11/03/2023 5:14 pm EDT
A quartet of civil society groups appeared before the House of Commons...
Bill C-27 fails to protect rights of Canadians, say civil society groups
Internet and Governance | 11/02/2023 6:39 pm EDT
A coalition of civil society groups are calling on the government to make...
Cogeco MVNO operations still a ways away
telecom | 11/02/2023 5:54 pm EDT
Cogeco Inc. does not plan to roll out its Canadian MVNO operations anytime soon, president and CEO...
Bell fibre build progress threatened by regulatory uncertainty: Bibic
telecom | 11/02/2023 3:58 pm EDT
In a Thursday quarterly earnings conference call, BCE Inc.'s president and...
Bletchley Declaration signals international efforts to tame AI risks
Internet and Governance | 11/01/2023 5:45 pm EDT
Leading countries in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) –...
CRTC takes action to ensure sufficient phone numbers
telecom | 11/01/2023 4:53 pm EDT
In response to growing concerns over the exhaustion of telephone numbers in Canada, the CRTC has...
Northern communities are being ill-served by Meta blocking news: Sen. Klyne
Internet and Governance | 11/01/2023 3:46 pm EDT
Northern communities are being ill-served by Meta Platforms Inc.’s...
CRTC changes should help overcome disappointing FY, Corus says
Media | 10/31/2023 5:22 pm EDT
A host of problems led Corus Entertainment Inc. to post a difficult fourth quarter and year end results, the firm’s president and CEO told an analysts’ call.
“I would use the term double whammy to describe the twofold blow we’ve been dealt in fiscal 2023,” Doug Murphy said Friday. “The first blow has been the meaningful decline in advertising revenues. The second has been the significant increase in required spending on Canadian programming.”
The...
Bell, Northwestel tell CRTC to leave billing dispute with Iristel in hands of the court
Internet and Governance | 10/30/2023 4:49 pm EDT
BCE Inc.’s Bell Canada and Northwestel have...
Rogers defends bulk MDU deals as competitive practice
telecom | 10/30/2023 4:24 pm EDT
In an answer submitted to the CRTC last Thursday, Rogers Communications Inc. defended its multiple...
Competitors rally behind Beanfield in fight against Rogers’ exclusive MDU agreements
telecom | 10/27/2023 6:46 pm EDT
Interventions coming in from the CRTC show...
Producers say French streaming regulations could serve as an example for Canada
Media | 10/26/2023 6:33 pm EDT
As the CRTC works out how it is going to wrangle streaming platforms and...
Bell, Northwestel, reach agreements with Iristel to suspend disconnection notices
telecom | 10/26/2023 1:26 pm EDT
Iristel Inc. and two BCE Inc. properties have reached separate agreements with Iristel to suspend disconnection notices in an ongoing dispute that is before the CRTC.
In...
CRTC addresses internet installation dispute between eastern Ontario township and small ISP
Internet and Governance | 10/26/2023 11:38 am EDT
The CRTC has denied an application brought forward...
AI a potential foreign security threat, Ethics committee tells House
Internet and Governance | 10/25/2023 5:35 pm EDT
A Parliamentary committee is calling for checks of artificial intelligence...
WGC report finds gains in member diversity but stagnant work opportunities
Media | 10/25/2023 5:02 pm EDT
The Writers Guild of Canada (WGC) published a comprehensive report on...
CRTC greenlights Northwestel Connecting Families packages
Internet and Governance | 10/24/2023 2:54 pm EDT
The CRTC has given the green light to BCE Inc. subsidiary Northwestel Inc....
CRTC considers regulatory relief for Corus as profits decline
Media | 10/20/2023 12:46 pm EDT
The CRTC is proposing to loosen some of Corus Entertainment Inc.’s...
Competitors oppose incumbents’ stance in second phase of FTTP access review
telecom | 10/19/2023 5:15 pm EDT
The debate over what the future of the wholesale high-speed-access (HSA)...
Tories continue attack on CBC over terrorism terminology
Media | 10/18/2023 5:06 pm EDT
The Conservative Party continued its attack on CBC/Radio-Canada Tuesday...
Downtown Ottawa pilot project for distress line to complement 988
telecom | 10/17/2023 5:13 pm EDT
A pilot project that will see community health workers dispatched to people...
Bell files leave to appeal over CRTC decision to renew its licence without hearing
Media | 10/16/2023 5:45 pm EDT
BCE Inc. filed an application with the Federal Court of Appeal for leave to appeal a CRTC decision which renewed its television and specialty channel broadcast licences...
Holistic approach is needed to fix Canada’s telecom troubles: 2023 Competition Summit
Internet and Governance | 10/13/2023 5:30 pm EDT
Sentiment among speakers at the 2023 Canada...
Iristel seeks quick resolution to Bell disconnection threat
telecom | 10/12/2023 3:59 pm EDT
Iristel Inc. has filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC against BCE Inc....
Both sides react to MVNO decision from CRTC
telecom | 10/11/2023 5:17 pm EDT
Both BCE Inc. and Quebecor Inc. have reacted to the CRTC’s decision that Bell Mobility's offer on...
CRTC chooses Bell over Quebecor in MVNO decision
telecom | 10/10/2023 11:15 pm EDT
BCE Inc. came out the winner in a dispute with Quebecor Inc. over mobile virtual network operator (MVNO)...
Canada joins Global Coalition on Telecommunications
telecom | 10/05/2023 3:04 pm EDT
Canada is a founding member of the Global Coalition on Telecommunications (GCOT), it was announced Thursday. Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States are the other signatories to the agreement.
The bloc has four key objectives: to increase cooperation...
CRTC must be flexible to deal with future landscape, Eatrides says
telecom | 10/04/2023 7:47 pm EDT
Those looking to predict the future of broadcasting and telecommunications...
Communication association proposes ‘safe harbor’ provision to retain tech giants in Canadian news market
Internet and Governance | 10/03/2023 6:18 pm EDT
International communications trade association,...
Digital transformation and connectivity key to Canada’s climate goals: CTA
telecom | 10/03/2023 6:07 pm EDT
Digital transformation of Canadian businesses can play a fundamental role...
APTN defends new structure proposal from broadcaster criticism
Media | 10/03/2023 4:29 pm EDT
APTN says its proposal to shift the terms of its licence will be good for...
Telus says CRTC strayed from accounting principles in spectrum revenue and contribution decision
telecom | 10/02/2023 6:20 pm EDT
Telus Corp. says the CRTC should review its...
OPINION: Bulk MDU deals no longer a rare occurrence
telecom | 09/29/2023 6:20 pm EDT
by Todd Hofley, vice-president, Policy and Communications, Beanfield
Like many industries,...
Social media and podcast services must register with CRTC, not users, under new regime
Internet and Governance | 09/29/2023 5:48 pm EDT
The CRTC has determined that online services that...
Dufresne recommends changes to Digital Charter Act
Internet and Governance | 09/29/2023 5:45 pm EDT
The Privacy Commissioner of Canada is happy the government is open to altering the Digital Charter...
Infrastructure investments could see cuts due to wholesale rates: Bibic, French
telecom | 09/28/2023 6:54 pm EDT
BCE Inc. and Telus Corp. reiterated their concerns around the CRTC’s ongoing review of the wholesale high-speed access framework, warning regulators of the delicate balance...
Big tech antitrust crusade continues as U.S. sues Amazon
Internet and Governance | 09/27/2023 5:18 pm EDT
The United States has just chosen a new target in its ongoing campaign...
Champagne to introduce amendments to Digital Charter Act
Internet and Governance | 09/27/2023 3:57 pm EDT
Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry François-Philippe Champagne...
Beanfield accuses Rogers of breaking MDU access rules with bulk agreements
telecom | 09/26/2023 7:11 pm EDT
Beanfield Technologies Inc. has called out Rogers Communications Inc. over...
Telcos double down on assertion that CRTC needs to forgo further broadband fund collections
telecom | 09/25/2023 8:08 pm EDT
As the CRTC’s review of its broadband fund...
Senators debate efficiency of Online News Act
Internet and Governance | 09/22/2023 5:13 pm EDT
Even though the Online News Act has become law, it is still the subject of debate in Parliament. Thursday saw a back and forth between two Senators about the provisions of the legislation.
Conservative senator Leo Housakos, a fierce opponent of the bill when it was before...
TekSavvy wants access to MDU building in Chatham-Kent
telecom | 09/21/2023 5:41 pm EDT
TekSavvy Solutions Inc. filed a Part 1 application with the CRTC requesting that a real estate...
BC government seeks higher standards for NG911 deployment
telecom | 09/21/2023 1:41 pm EDT
The province of British Columbia has filed a Part 1 application with the...
CRTC directs CBC to hold Indigenous consultation by March
Media | 09/20/2023 4:36 pm EDT
The CRTC denied an application by CBC/Radio-Canada to delay consultations...
Responsible AI regulation needs to come faster, says tech lobby group
Internet and Governance | 09/20/2023 2:53 pm EDT
The Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI) is urging the federal government...
Dufresne releases annual privacy report to Parliament
Internet and Governance | 09/19/2023 2:21 pm EDT
The Privacy Commissioner is warning that artificial intelligence (AI) could have an impact on...
CRTC denies TekSavvy application alleging undue preference from Rogers-Quebecor OTAs
Internet and Governance | 09/15/2023 5:20 pm EDT
The CRTC denied an application brought forward by TekSavvy Solutions Inc....
Google monopoly trial kicks off, Canada public policy head steps down
Internet and Governance | 09/15/2023 4:48 pm EDT
Colin McKay, head of Canada public policy and government relations at...
“WildBrain can’t have their cake and eat it to,” Bell tells CRTC in undue preference dispute
Media | 09/14/2023 6:10 pm EDT
BCE Inc. is arguing to the CRTC that WildBrain...
Meta’s fight with feds impacts emergency info sharing for southwestern Ont. municipality
Internet and Governance | 09/13/2023 5:46 pm EDT
The Online News Act standoff between the federal government and tech-giant Meta Platforms Inc. is negatively impacting emergency communications in Chatham-Kent, Ont....
CRTC orders Videotron to pay Bell 911 service fees despite protest over duplicative costs
telecom | 09/11/2023 4:50 pm EDT
The CRTC denied Quebecor Inc.’s request for...
All carriers to provide TTC services by October 3: ISED
telecom | 09/11/2023 1:07 pm EDT
All passengers on the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) subway system...
Bell sends letter to appeal court backing Rogers; PKP not surprised
telecom | 09/07/2023 5:09 pm EDT
BCE Inc. is backing Rogers Communications Inc. in its appeal over a CRTC...
Cogeco appoints Tim Dinesen as CTO
telecom | 09/07/2023 4:50 pm EDT
Cogeco Inc. is appointing Tim Dinesen, experienced tech executive and telecommunications consultant, as its senior vice president and CTO.
According to the company’s Thursday release, he will be taking up the new position at...
WildBrain animators taking part in union drive
Media | 09/07/2023 4:48 pm EDT
Animators at WildBrain Ltd.’s Vancouver studios are attempting to unionize. A drive by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) is currently underway. A union spokesman estimates that the company has anywhere from 600 to 1200 workers under contract,...
Tory convention takes aim at Streaming Act, CBC
Internet and Governance | 09/06/2023 4:29 pm EDT
Dissatisfaction with the Online Streaming Act and defunding the CBC are among the resolutions being...
Rogers countersues ex-CEO Joe Natale
telecom | 09/05/2023 6:37 pm EDT
Rogers Communications Inc. is countersuing ex-CEO Joe Natale, arguing he should pay back the severance...
No financial justification to increase skinny basic rate from $25 to $28: CRTC
Media | 09/05/2023 3:40 pm EDT
The CRTC denied an application by BCE Inc., Bragg Communication Inc.’s...
CRTC changes ad rules for discretionary services
Media | 09/05/2023 3:34 pm EDT
The CRTC said Tuesday that it was altering the rules for commercials on discretionary services. The...
OPINION: Canada’s spectrum framework is failing Indigenous peoples
telecom | 09/01/2023 6:00 pm EDT
By Mark Buell and Phil Steinhauer-Mozejko, Connect Humanity Fund
In its...
Canadian Heritage proposes Online News Act regulations, Meta’s not interested
Internet and Governance | 09/01/2023 5:59 pm EDT
Canadian Heritage announced its proposed regulations to implement the...
ISED releases spectrum outlook until 2027
Internet and Governance | 09/01/2023 5:44 pm EDT
The Department of Industry Science and Economic Development (ISED) released its Spectrum Outlook...
CRTC approves mandatory carriage for Francophone TV station despite incumbent opposition
Media | 08/31/2023 5:18 pm EDT
The CRTC added Natyf Inc., a Francophone station...
Class action suit against Facebook can proceed, SCC
Internet and Governance | 08/31/2023 5:03 pm EDT
A class action lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. over age discrimination can move forward, after the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear its leave to appeal Thursday. The motion to file the suit was initially dismissed in July 2021 but the Court of Appeal of Quebec...