CISC Administrative Guidelines
6. Dispute Resolution Process
6.1 Meaningful discussion to resolve disagreements
The WG Chair should make all efforts to resolve issues before they escalate to the dispute level. Parties should refrain from developing entrenched positions, and should explore the viability of all reasonable options put forward at a meeting.
When a disagreement among WG members emerges, parties should attempt to resolve it among themselves without becoming entrenched in a position. If the issue is not resolved within a reasonably short period of time, parties should set out their positions in writing for discussion at subsequent meetings.
If the disagreement persists, parties may ask CRTC staff to participate in the discussions to facilitate resolution, and possibly to provide a staff opinion.
6.2 Dispute identification and DIF process
- Early identification of disputed issues within a WG
To avoid wasting time and resources, it is important to terminate discussion on an issue and to initiate a dispute once it is apparent that consensus cannot be reached. To this end, at any time, if a WG party considers that a consensual resolution of the disagreement is not possible, the party has the option to initiate a formal dispute by completing a dispute information form.
- DIF Process
A dispute may be initiated by a party or a group of parties of the CISC.
A DIF shall be completed for each dispute initiated in accordance with Appendix 4. The DIF shall clearly set out the specific issue in question. The DIF shall be distributed to the appropriate WG at least five full business days before the WG meeting at which it is to be discussed. At the WG meeting, if the dispute cannot be resolved, the WG chair shall forward the DIF with dispute position papers attached to the SC chair and members 10 business days before the SC Meeting. The dispute position papers must be forwarded to the WG chair no later than seven business days from the date of the WG meeting (refer to Appendix 5).
Parties should be prepared to discuss comments orally at the SC meeting. They should also be prepared to negotiate a resolution and make a decision on the outcome at the SC meeting.
6.3 Disagreements on reports at the SC
A party of the SC could disagree with a consensus report. In this case, the SC could:
- Try to solve the disagreement;
- Send the report back to the WG with recommendations;
- Forward the report to the Commission identifying the consensus or disputed;
- Defer; or
- Otherwise as the SC sees appropriate.
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