ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Procedural Letter Addressed to Various Parties
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Ottawa, 8 October, 2015
File number: 2015-325 and 2015-325-1
BY EMAIL
Re: Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-325 – Call for comments on the English-language closed captioning quality standard related to the accuracy rate for live programming (2015-325); Request to extend the filing deadlines
Dear Sir/Madam:
On 18 September 2015, the Commission issued Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2015-325-1, which extended the comment deadline in the above-noted proceeding to 10 November 2015 and the reply deadline to 10 December 2015.
In a letter dated 16 September 2015, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (EBG) requested a 6-month extension to the filing deadline for comments for 2015-325. The EBG submitted that the extension is necessary to re-open the dialogue with users of closed-captioning and to engage in a positive and productive conversation on the accuracy standards for live programming. If approved, the new deadline for comments would be 22 March 2016 and for replies would be 21 April 2016.
In response, the Canadian Association of the Deaf – Association des Sourds du Canada (CAD-ASC) submitted that it did not oppose the EBG request, but was comfortable with the present deadlines.
Seeking comments on the EBG request
Interested persons wishing to comment on the appropriateness of the EBG’s request must do so by no later than 23 October 2015. Reply comments from the EBG are due no later than 3 November, 2015. Documents must be received, and not merely sent, by the date provided.
Request submitted by the CAD-ASC
In a letter dated 22 September 2015, CAD-ASC submitted that it was necessary for CAD-ASC to meet with other groups representing users of closed captioning in order to “coordinate their approaches” before filing comments. To that end, CAD-ASC requested that the Commission direct the EBG to pay $5000.00 to CAD-ASC, which would be used to hold such a meeting with representative from CAD-ASC, Media Access Canada, Canadian Hard of Hearing Association and the Canadian Hearing Society.
Commission staff notes that the Commission does not award costs related to participation in broadcasting proceedings under the Broadcasting Act. Commission staff further notes that the Broadcasting Participation Fund (BPF), which is independent of the Commission, operates pursuant to a mandate to provide costs support to public interest groups and consumer groups in broadcasting proceeding before the Commission. Commission staff would encourage any interested parties to contact BPF to gain a better understanding of the BFP processes (http://www.bpf-fpr.ca/en/home.html).
Notwithstanding the above, Commission staff observes that there is nothing precluding the EBG from providing support to user groups if the parties can come to a mutually acceptable arrangement.
Yours sincerely,
Steven Harroun
Director General,
Consumer Affairs and Strategic Policy
c.c. Canadian Association of the Deaf – Association des Sourds du Canada
Media Access Canada
Canadian Hard of Hearing Association
Canadian Hearing Society
English-language Broadcasters Group
Nanao Kachi, CRTC
Jennifer Eustace, CRTC
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