ARCHIVED - Broadcasting Procedural letter addressed to Lui Greco (CNIB)

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Ottawa, 5 December 2017

Our reference: 2017-1028-6

BY EMAIL :

Lui Greco
National Manager of Advocacy 
CNIB
1929 Bayview Avenue
Toronto, Ontario
M4G 3E8

Re: Extension of deadline for submission of interventions regarding the application by Québecor Média inc. with respect to the provision of described video

Dear Mr. Greco:

On 1 November 2017, Québecor Média inc. (Québecor), on behalf of Groupe TVA inc. (Groupe TVA), filed a Part 1 application with the Commission regarding the provision of described video as set out in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2016-436, Standard requirements for television stations, discretionary services, and on-demand services.

In its application, Québecor requested that only first-run programming be subject to the standard condition of licence imposed on Groupe TVA television stations and discretionary services in Broadcasting Decision 2017-147, Group-based licence renewals for French-language television stations and services. The condition of licence states the following:

The licensee shall, by 1 September 2019, provide described video for all English- and French-language programming that is broadcast during prime time (i.e., from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.), and that is drawn from program categories 2(b) Long-form documentary, 7 Drama and comedy, 9 Variety, 11(a) General entertainment and human interest and 11(b) Reality television, and/or is programming targeting preschool children (0-5 years of age) and children (6-12 years of age).

On 20 November 2017, in response to Québecor’s application, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) filed a procedural request to extend the deadline for the submission of interventions to 19 January 2018. CNIB stated that it would need more time to obtain an English-language version of Québecor’s application, which would enable it to better evaluate the application and prepare its comments.

Staff considers it essential for groups and associations representing persons who count on described video to access programming broadcast to be heard in connection with this application. Staff also considers that a procedural request such as this one is in the interest of the very principle of accessibility, and that an extended deadline for the submission of interventions will enable more groups and associations to be heard.

Accordingly, the request to extend the deadline for the submission of interventions has been approved.

Interventions regarding the application must be filed with the Commission by 19 January 2018, and Québecor’s subsequent reply must be filed with the Commission by  29 January 2018.

Sincerely,

(Original signed by)

Nanao Kachi
Director, Social and Consumer Policy
Consumer Affairs and Strategic Policy

c. c.:       Rémi Savard, CRTC

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