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ARCHIVED - Public Notice CRTC 2000-74

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Public Notice CRTC 2000-74

See also: 2000-74-1, 2000-74-2

Ottawa, 31 May 2000

Call for comments concerning Order in Council P.C. 2000-511 and Public Notice CRTC 2000-38
Order in Council 2000-511 addresses French-language broadcasting services in French linguistic minority communities and Public Notice 2000-38 addresses minority official language specialty services.
Summary
The Commission seeks public input for a report to the Governor in Council on measures to encourage and facilitate the provision of and access to the widest range of French-language broadcasting services possible in French linguistic minority communities in Canada. The Commission is also resuming the consultation process, initiated in PN 2000-38, on a proposed policy intended to increase the availability of minority official language specialty services for cable subscribers in the new digital environment. The deadline for written interventions is 31 July 2000.
Background

1.

On 5 April 2000, the Governor in Council issued Order in Council P.C. 2000-511, a copy of which is appended to this notice. The Order in Council (OIC) was issued pursuant to section 15 of the Broadcasting Act (the Act), which provides that the Governor in Council may request that the Commission hold public hearings or make reports on any matter within its jurisdiction under the Act.

2.

In that OIC, the Governor in Council recognizes the initiative undertaken by the Commission in Public Notice CRTC 2000-38 dated 10 March 2000 to bring more minority official language specialty services to cable subscribers. In this context, the Commission is requested to seek comments from the public and to report by 31 December 2000, with a view to:
  • assessing the availability and the quality of French-language broadcasting services in the French linguistic minority communities in Canada;
  • identifying any deficiencies and challenges in the above communities related to the provision of French-language broadcasting services, and the availability of French-language broadcasting services on the various broadcasting distribution systems; and
  • proposing measures to encourage and facilitate access to the widest range of French-language broadcasting services possible in French linguistic minority communities, and to ensure that the diversity of French-language communities across Canada is reflected in the Canadian broadcasting system.
Public Notice CRTC 2000-38

3.

In PN 2000-38, the Commission called for comments on a proposed policy with respect to the specialty services available to cable subscribers across Canada. Comments were to be received by the Commission not later than 10 May 2000.

4.

The intended effect of the proposals contained in that notice was to increase the availability of minority official language specialty services by taking advantage of the new digital environment.

5.

Because the proposed policy contained in PN 2000-38 and the issues raised in the OIC are complementary in their objectives, the Commission announced in Public Notice CRTC 2000-38-1 dated 20 April 2000 that it was suspending the proceeding initiated in PN 2000-38. It also indicated that it would announce the resumption of the proceeding at a later date, to take into account the additional issues raised in the OIC.
Consultative process

6.

This public notice initiates the consultative process on the issues raised in OIC 2000-511 and on the proposed policy contained in PN 2000-38. The Commission plans to proceed in three stages:
  • firstly, it will compile the information required to examine the issues raised and will consider the briefs submitted in response to this notice, including those received to date in response to PN 2000-38;
  • it will then hold a series of regional consultations early this fall to discuss the matter directly with as many interested parties as possible;
  • the Commission will conclude the process with a public hearing, the details of which will be announced at a later date.
Call for comments

7.

The Commission invites written comments that address the issues and questions set out in this notice. The Commission will accept comments that it receives on or before 31 July 2000.

8.

The Commission will not formally acknowledge written comments. It will, however, fully consider all comments and they will form part of the public record of the proceeding, provided that the procedures for filing set out below have been followed.
Questions

9.

Without limiting the scope of the consultation, the following are some questions that the Commission would like parties to address:
  • What are the deficiencies and challenges related to the provision of French-language radio and television services (including specialty television, pay television and pay-per-view television) in French linguistic minority communities in Canada?
  • What are the deficiencies and challenges related to the availability of French-language broadcasting services on the various broadcasting distribution systems in Canada?
  • How can technological developments help to meet these challenges?
  • How could access to the widest possible range of these services be encouraged and facilitated in French linguistic minority communities? Should the Commission adopt a different approach for the Ottawa region?
  • How is it best ensured that the diversity of French-language communities across Canada is reflected in the Canadian broadcasting system?

10.

As part of this public process, the Commission invites comments on the questions raised in OIC 2000-511 and on the proposed policy contained in PN 2000-38. The proposed policy seeks to increase the availability of minority official language specialty services to cable subscribers.
Other matters

11.

Beginning 1 July 2000, the Commission will progressively make available to interested parties factual information on the French-language broadcasting services currently available in Canada's French linguistic minority communities. If briefs submitted to the Commission contain studies that supplement the data already available, the Commission will also make them available to the public. Interested parties are invited to regularly consult the public examination file and visit the Commission’s website for additional relevant information when preparing their comments.
Procedures for filing comments
Interested parties can file their comments on paper or electronically. Submissions longer than five pages should include a summary.
The "hard copy" should be sent to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, K1A 0N2.
Parties wishing to file electronic versions of their comments can do so by eMail or on diskette. The Commission eMail address is procedure@crtc.gc.ca 
Electronic submissions should be in the HTML format. As an alternative, those making submissions may use "Microsoft Word" for text and "Microsoft Excel" for spreadsheets.
Please number each paragraph of the comment. In addition, please enter the line ***End of Document*** following the last paragraph. This will help the Commission verify that the document has not been damaged during transmission.
The Commission will make comments filed in electronic form available on its web site at www.crtc.gc.ca in the official language and format in which they are submitted. This will make it easier for members of the public to consult the documents.
Examination of public comments and related documents at the following Commission offices during normal business hours
Central Building
Les Terrasses de la Chaudière
1 Promenade du Portage,
Room G-5
Hull, Quebec K1A 0N2
Tel: (819) 997-2429 -
TDD: 994-0423
FAX: (819) 994-0218
Bank of Commerce Building
1809 Barrington Street
Suite 1007
Halifax, Nova Scotia B3J 3K8
Tel: (902) 426-7997 -
TDD: 426-6997
FAX: (902) 426-2721
405 de Maisonneuve Blvd. East
2nd Floor, Suite B2300
Montréal, Quebec H2L 4J5
Tel: (514) 283-6607 -
TDD: 283-8316
FAX: (514) 283-3689
55 St. Clair Avenue East
Suite 624
Toronto, Ontario M4T 1M2
Tel: (416) 952-9096
FAX: (416) 954-6343
Kensington Building
275 Portage Avenue
Suite 1810
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3B 2B3
Tel: (204) 983-6306 -
TDD: 983-8274
FAX: (204) 983-6317
Cornwall Professional Building
2125 - 11th Avenue
Room 103
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 3X3
Tel: (306) 780-3422
FAX: (306) 780-3319
Scotia Place Tower Two
19th Floor, Suite 1909
10060 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5J 3R8
Tel: (780) 495-3224
FAX: (780) 495-3214
530-580 Hornby Street
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3B6
Tel: (604) 666-2111 -
TDD: 666-0778
FAX: (604) 666-8322
Secretary General

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

C.P. 2000-511

 

5 avril 2000

 

Attendu que le Conseil de la radiodiffusion et des télécommunications canadiennes (appelé ci-après « le Conseil ») est chargé de réglementer et de surveiller tous les aspects du système canadien de radiodiffusion en vue de mettre en oeuvre la politique canadienne de radiodiffusion énoncée dans la Loi sur la radiodiffusion;

 

Attendu que le paragraphe 5(2) de cette loi prévoit notamment que la réglementation et la surveillance du système devraient être souples et à la fois :
 

a) tenir compte des caractéristiques de la radiodiffusion dans les langues française et anglaise et des conditions différentes d'exploitation auxquelles sont soumises les entreprises de radiodiffusion qui diffusent la programmation dans l'une et l'autre langues;

 

b) tenir compte des préoccupations et des besoins régionaux;

 

Attendu que la politique canadienne de radiodiffusion énoncée au paragraphe 3(1) de cette loi prévoit notamment que :
 

a) les radiodiffusions de langues française et anglaise, malgré certains points communs, diffèrent quant à leurs conditions d'exploitation et, éventuellement, quant à leurs besoins;

 

b) la programmation offerte par le système canadien de radiodiffusion devrait puiser aux sources locales, régionales, nationales et internationales;

 

c) une gamme de services de radiodiffusion en français et en anglais doit être progressivement offerte à tous les Canadiens, au fur et à mesure de la disponibilité des moyens;

 

Attendu que la gouverneure en conseil reconnaît l'initiative que le Conseil entreprend actuellement pour accroître la disponibilité de services spécialisés dans la langue de la minorité pour les abonnés du câble au Canada dans le nouvel environnement numérique;

 

 

Attendu que la gouverneure en conseil est également d'avis et accorde une grande priorité au fait que :

 

 

a) les services de radiodiffusion devraient tenir compte du caractère unique de la culture québécoise ainsi que de la situation et des besoins particuliers des communautés francophones dans d'autres régions du Canada;

 

b) la présence de services de radiodiffusion de langue française dans les communautés de minorités francophones du Canada contribue non seulement à l'épanouissement et au développement des communautés francophones mais répond également aux besoins de tous les Canadiens qui souhaitent atteindre une meilleure compréhension des deux langues officielles;

 

c) la prestation des services de radiodiffusion de langue française aux minorités francophones pose des défis particuliers et considérables;

 

d) les progrès technologiques et autres pourraient contribuer à relever ces défis;

 

Attendu que le paragraphe 15(1) de cette loi prévoit que, sur demande de la gouverneure en conseil, le Conseil tient des audiences ou fait rapport sur toute question relevant de sa compétence;

 

 

Attendu que, conformément au paragraphe 15(2) de cette loi, la ministre du Patrimoine canadien a consulté le Conseil à l'égard de la présente demande,

 

 

À ces causes, sur recommandation de la ministre du Patrimoine canadien et en vertu de l'article 15 de la Loi sur la radiodiffusion, Son Excellence la Gouverneure générale en conseil demande au Conseil de la radiodiffusion et des télécommunications canadiennes de consulter le public et de faire rapport dans les meilleurs délais, au plus tard le 31 décembre 2000, l'objectif étant :

 

 

a) d'évaluer la disponibilité et la qualité des services de radiodiffusion de langue française dans les communautés de minorités francophones du Canada;

 

b) de faire ressortir les lacunes et défis que présente la prestation de services de radiodiffusion de langue française dans ces communautés -- radio, télévision et services spécialisés, à péage ou à la carte -- composés d'éléments publics, privés et communautaires, ainsi que de déterminer la disponibilité de services de radiodiffusion de langue française sur l'ensemble des systèmes de distribution de radiodiffusion;

 

c) de proposer des mesures afin d'encourager et de favoriser l'accès au plus large éventail possible de services de radiodiffusion de langue française dans les communautés de minorités francophones, en plus de s'assurer que le système canadien de la radiodiffusion reflète la diversité des communautés francophones dans tout le pays.

 

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