Operating context
Canada’s communications sector touches every aspect of our daily lives. It’s the pathway that connects us to each other, to our communities and to the world around us. We have heard many stories from people across the country about how important this is. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) plays an important role as the regulator for the communications sector.
In early 2023, the government directed the CRTC to renew its approach to telecommunications policy. Among other things, we needed to act quickly to provide clarity to the market and consider how our decisions would promote competition, affordability, consumer interests and innovation.
The CRTC got to work immediately.
As we worked to improve the affordability and quality of telecommunications in Canada, we also made progress towards ensuring that every Canadian has access to these services. The CRTC plays an important role as part of a larger government effort to bring affordable and high-quality telecommunications services to all Canadians.
Over the past year, we also implemented changes to the Broadcasting Act. The changes needed for a modernized framework are substantial, complex and interconnected. The launch of the consultation on base contributions followed by a three-week public hearing in November and December 2023, were key steps towards modernizing Canada’s broadcasting framework. This was the longest appearing hearing in our history, with over 120 presentations from individuals and groups representing a broad range of interests. The CRTC also received more than 360 detailed submissions.
We also began our work to implement the Online News Act, which came into force in June 2023, to enhance fairness in the Canadian digital news market.
We have heard directly from Canadians that the CRTC needs to move quickly and transparently, given the impact our decisions have on consumers, businesses and the Canadian economy.
We have listened and we are becoming faster and more transparent. We are doing more to engage with Canadians and are reviewing our internal processes to be more efficient and timely. We made important progress in 2023-24 and will continue to improve to better serve Canadians.
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