Broadcasting - Secretary General Letter addressed to Jon Cohen (Amazon Music)
Ottawa, 11 June 2024
BY E-MAIL
Reference: 1011-NOC2023-138
Jon Cohen
Senior Corporate Counsel – Amazon Music
joncoh@amazon.com
RE: Procedural request to extend the filing of comments by one month in the context of the Base contributions Policy (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2024-121)
Dear Jon Cohen,
Thank you for your request regarding the deadline for filing comments on the proposed orders identified in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2024-121 (the Policy). As you know, in that Policy the Commission determined that online undertakings will be required to make base contributions to the creation of Canadian and Indigenous content starting in the 2024-2025 broadcast year, which begins on 1 September 2024.
On 6 June 2024, you filed a procedural request on behalf of Amazon Prime and Amazon Music to extend, by one month, the deadline to file comments on the proposed orders contained in the Policy.
The determinations it made in the Policy have broad implications for the Canadian broadcasting industry. This important decision sets the foundation for meaningful participation by online streaming services in the Canadian broadcasting system.
The Commission greatly values the participation of online streaming services in its proceedings to implement the Broadcasting Act. At the same time, the Commission is aware that every extension delays the modernization of the Canadian broadcasting system. The record of this proceeding emphasizes the need to move quickly. The Commission believes that it is in the public interest to receive comments and to finalize the proposed order as soon as possible.
These orders seek to implement the Commission’s determinations, which were made following extensive public consultation and, under the Broadcasting Act, are final and conclusive. The Commission is seeking to ensure that the proposed conditions of service contained in these orders accurately reflect the determinations made by the Commission in the Policy. For clarity, the Commission is not seeking comments on the determinations set out in the Policy. As such, the Commission is only seeking comment on the wording of the proposed orders and, therefore, considers the deadlines set out in the Policy provide parties with sufficient time to make their comments.
In light of the above, your request for an extension is denied and the deadlines for comment set out in the Policy remain the same.
The Commission thanks you for your participation in the process and it is looking forward to receiving comments from parties, including Amazon, regarding the proposed orders.
Yours sincerely,
Marc Morin
Secretary General
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