Broadcasting - Secretary General Letter addressed to Charles Rushing (Digital Media Association (DiMA)) and Katie McAuliffe (Information Technology Industry Council (ITI))
Ottawa, 13 June 2024
BY E-MAIL
Reference: 1011-NOC2023-138
Charles Rushing
EVP and General Counsel – Digital Media Association (DiMA)
colin@dima.org
Katie McAuliffe
Senior Director, Telecommunications Policy – Information Technology Industry Council (ITI)
KMcAuliffe@itic.org
RE: Procedural requests to extend the filing of comments and replies in the context of the Base contributions Policy (Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2024-121)
Dear Charles Rushing and Katie McAuliffe,
Thank you for your requests regarding the deadlines for filing comments and replies 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 7 June 2024, you filed distinct procedural requests to extend the deadlines to file comments and replies on the proposed orders contained in the Policy, which would delay the close of record by approximately one month.
The determinations the Commission 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 all parties 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. For the consultation on the proposed orders, the Commission is only seeking comments on the wording of the orders and, therefore, considers the deadlines set out in the Policy provide parties with sufficient time to make their comments and replies.
In light of the above, your requests for extensions are denied and the deadlines 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 DiMA and ITI, regarding the proposed orders.
Yours sincerely,
Marc Morin
Secretary General
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