ARCHIVED - Letter
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Ottawa, 1 March 2012
File Nos. 8622-C193-201201110
8622-B80-201201194
By email
Norm Bolen
Canadian Media Production Association
601 Bank Street, 2nd Floor
Ottawa, Ontario K1S 3T4
Re: Applications by: (a) CIDG for dispute resolution, by way of an expedited hearing and subsequent final offer arbitration, with respect to a dispute with Bell Media; and (2) Bell Media for final offer arbitration with respect to a dispute with Cogeco – CMPA’s request to file comments
Dear Mr. Bolen:
This letter is to advise the Canadian Media Production Association (CMPA) that its request to file written comments in the above-noted proceeding is granted.
In its letter dated 15 February 2012, the CMPA submitted that, as an organization that represents the interests of screen-based media companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and new media, it has a clear and direct interest in ensuring that Canadian broadcasters meet their Canadian programming obligations.
The CMPA submitted that while it does not typically become involved in bilateral disputes between licensed broadcasting undertakings, it has a direct interest in matters relating to the distribution and packaging of specialty television services in circumstances where those matters could have a wide-spread and precedent-setting impact on the ability of licensed programming services to meet their Canadian programming obligations.
The Commission agrees with the CMPA’s view that it should not normally participate in bilateral disputes. However in this case, the CMPA has demonstrated that it has sufficient interest in an issue raised in Bell Media Inc.’s response dated 21 February 2012 (Bell Media Response).
The Commission considers that the CMPA’s submissions may assist the Commission in addressing this matter. Accordingly, the CMPA’s request to file written comments in respect of the CIDG application dated 17 January 2012, and the Bell Media Response, is granted. Should the CMPA decide to file comments, they must be no longer than 10 pages, not including attachments, and be received by the Commission within 5 days of the date of this letter, and served on the parties to this proceeding.
Sincerely,
John Traversy
Secretary General
cc. jay.thomson@cmpa.ca
jsalmon@ccsa.cable.ca
david.spodek@bellmedia.ca
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