Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Strategic Plan

Connecting Canadians through technology and culture

Who we are

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the telecommunications and broadcasting sectors in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations and makes decisions based on the public record. The CRTC has a wide range of responsibilities, including under the Telecommunications Act, the Broadcasting Act, the Online News Act, and Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL).

The CRTC has nine members, including a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson for Telecommunications, a Vice-Chairperson for Broadcasting, and six regional Commissioners who are located across the country. Each is an expert in their field and brings a unique perspective to the CRTC’s work. Supporting the nine decision-makers is a team of expert staff.

Vision

To be a modern, inclusive, and timely regulator.

Purpose

Connecting Canadians through technology and culture.

Priorities

The CRTC is committed to delivering tangible results for Canadians. We are focussing our resources to deliver on three key areas:

1. Promoting competition and investment to deliver reliable, affordable, and high-quality Internet and cellphone services;
2. Modernizing Canada’s broadcasting framework and creating the bargaining framework for the Online News Act; and
3. Investing in the CRTC to better serve Canadians.

What we are doing

Promoting competition and investment to deliver reliable, affordable, and high-quality Internet and cellphone services

Desired outcomes

• Increased choice and affordable telecommunications services.
• Investment in high-quality networks.
• Connectivity for rural, remote and Indigenous communities.
• A safe communications system.

Actions

The CRTC will continue to:

• Implement a renewed approach to Internet and cellphone competition, which includes ensuring the rates that competitors pay to access the networks of the large Internet and cellphone companies are just and reasonable.
• Monitor the markets for Internet and cellphone services to ensure the right balance between increased competition and continued investment in high-quality networks.
• Work with government partners to help connect rural, remote and Indigenous communities to high-speed Internet, including by: approving projects as part of the Broadband Fund’s third call for applications; launching a process to create an Indigenous stream of the Broadband Fund; and issuing a decision to help improve the reliability, affordability, and competitiveness of telecommunications services in the Far North.
• Support and protect consumers, including by: making cellphone use more affordable when Canadians travel internationally and within Canada; making shopping for Internet services easier; enhancing protections for outages; and consulting on new measures to help reduce online spam and nuisance calls.
• Work with provinces, territories and municipalities to help support the implementation of next-generation 9-1-1.

Modernizing Canada’s broadcasting framework and creating the bargaining framework for the Online News Act

Desired outcomes

• Continued production of high-quality Canadian and Indigenous content.
• Access to Canadian and Indigenous content through a variety of platforms. 
• Fair compensation for Canadian news organizations.

Actions

The CRTC will continue to:

• Implement the amended Broadcasting Act to reflect how each radio station, television service and online streaming service should support the broadcasting system, including by launching public consultations on: the definitions of Canadian and Indigenous content; the structural relationships between small, medium, and large players in traditional and online streaming services; and radio and audio streaming services.
• Co-develop the Indigenous broadcasting policy, including by: actively engaging with Indigenous communities to gather feedback and views; and establishing joint working groups to help ensure the framework is Indigenous-led and anchored in Indigenous self-determination.
• Implement the Online News Act, including by: building the bargaining framework; setting up a process to address complaints; creating a code of conduct to support fair negotiations; and making determinations on any exemption requests.

Investing in the CRTC to better serve Canadians

Desired outcomes

• A tribunal that is efficient and transparent.
• An organization that better engages with Canadians, and domestic and international partners.
• An organization that invests in its people and that represents Canada’s diversity.

Actions

The CRTC will continue to:

• Issue timely and clear decisions; address the historical backlog of Part 1 applications and post new ones as they are received; and inform Broadband Fund applicants of the status of their application once a decision has been made.
• Enhance engagement with stakeholders and partners, including by: meeting with Canadians from across the country; supporting Indigenous participation in proceedings through the Indigenous Relations Team; creating a dedicated team to support engagement with Official Language Minority Community groups; and working with members of the Canadian Digital Regulators Forum to share expertise and approaches to address emerging issues.
• Recruit people from diverse groups to help ensure the CRTC has a wide range of perspectives.

Date modified:

2024-10-21