ARCHIVED -  Public Notice CRTC 1999-31

Public Notice

Ottawa, 22 February 1999

Public Notice CRTC 1999-31

Call for comments on a proposed Order respecting the distribution of the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network

1.  In Decision CRTC 99-42 released today, the Commission approves the national distribution of the proposed television service of Television Northern Canada Incorporated to be known as the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN). APTN will offer a high-quality, general interest television service with a broad range of programming that reflects the diverse perspectives of Aboriginal peoples for viewing by all Canadians. The Commission has determined that distribution of APTN's service will be required for Class 1 and Class 2 distribution undertakings (including multipoint distribution system undertakings) as well as for direct-to-home distribution undertakings. Class 3 distribution undertakings are encouraged to distribute APTN's service.

2.  The Commission also concluded that the most direct and effective way to implement this decision would be to issue an Order pursuant to section 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act.

3.  The Commission has authorized APTN to charge a maximum monthly fee of $0.15 per subscriber.

4.  The Commission invites interested parties to submit comments regarding the terms and conditions of the proposed Order. The Commission notes that the purpose of this Public Notice is to seek comments on the proposed Order itself and not on the issues which were considered in the proceeding which resulted in Decision CRTC 99-42. Interested parties may forward submissions by 15 March 1999 to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, K1A 0N2. APTN shall have until 22 March 1999 to file any comments in reply. Although the Commission will not acknowledge the submissions received, it will consider and include them in the public record of this proceeding.

5.  When this consultation is completed, the Commission intends to release its final Order without delay to allow Decision CRTC 99-42 to be implemented in the most timely manner.

6.  All submissions must be filed in hard copy format. The Commission, however, also encourages parties to file electronic versions of their submissions (email or diskette). Such submissions should be in the HTML format. As an alternate choice, "Microsoft Word" may be used for text and "Microsoft Excel" for spreadsheets. Each paragraph of the document should be numbered. In addition, as an indication that the document has not been damaged during electronic transmission, the line ***End of Document*** should be entered following the last paragraph of each document. The Commission's Internet e-mail address for electronically filed documents is public.broadcasting@crtc.gc.ca

Secretary General

This document is available in alternative format upon request, and may also be viewed at the following Internet site: http://www.crtc.gc.ca

Appendix to Public Notice CRTC 1999-31

Proposed Order respecting the distribution of the programming service of Television Northern Canada Incorporated to be known as Aboriginal Peoples Television Network (APTN) by persons licensed to carry on certain types of broadcasting distribution undertakings

The Commission hereby orders, pursuant to section 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act, persons licensed to carry on broadcasting distribution undertakings of the types identified in paragraph a. below to distribute APTN's programming service as part of the basic service, effective 1 September 1999 (or when the service begins operation, should this be after 1 September 1999), on the following terms and conditions :

a.  This Order applies to Class 1, Class 2 (including multipoint distribution system undertakings) and direct-to-home distribution undertaking licensees not otherwise required to distribute APTN's programming service pursuant to the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations. These licensees are collectively referred to in this Order as distribution licensees.

b.  Distribution licensees offering more than one basic service shall distribute APTN's programming service on each basic service.

c.  Class 1 and Class 2 licensees shall not distribute APTN's programming service on a restricted channel unless APTN consents in writing to its distribution on such a channel.

d.  Distribution licensees are authorized to increase the basic monthly fee to be paid by their subscribers by no more than the amount authorized under the terms of APTN's licence.

e.  Distribution licensees who remove a service in order to comply with this Order may only remove a service carried on an available channel.

For the purposes of this Order, available channel, basic service, Class 1 licensee, Class 2 licensee, Class 3 licensee, DTH distribution undertaking, licensed, programming service and restricted channel carry the meanings assigned to them in the Broadcasting Distribution Regulations, as amended from time to time.