Consultation on closed captioning of programming from online streaming services
Current status: Open
Key dates:
- June 19 to August 19, 2024: first consultation period
- September 10 to December 11, 2024: second consultation period to allow new participants to submit comments
Canadians who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing have the opportunity to participate by submitting a video in American Sign Language (ASL) or Langue des signes québécoise (LSQ).
See the “What we are learning” section to find the comments that were submitted.
As part of the CRTC’s work to modernize Canada’s broadcasting framework, we are seeking your comments on the closed captioning of programming provided by online streaming services operating in Canada. Share your views on how to ensure that Canadians who rely on closed captioning have access to barrier-free programming online.
How to participate
There are a few ways you can participate. Please note that we will make all comments public. The deadline to participate is December 11, 2024 at 8 p.m. (EDT).
We accept videos in ASL and LSQ for this consultation.
You must provide a working link to your video in the comments box in the “Submit an intervention” section of the Intervention form.
Submit a formal comment online
Use the intervention form.
We also accept comments in ASL and LSQ. You must submit a link to your video using our form.
You will have to agree to our privacy statement first.
Participate by mail
Send a letter with your ideas and input to the following address:
Secretary General
CRTC
Ottawa ON K1A 0N2
Send us a fax
Send a fax to 819-994-0218 with your comments.
If you need help submitting your comments, contact our public hearings group by email to hearing@crtc.gc.ca.
Who is the focus of this consultation
We are looking to learn from anyone with an interest in closed captioning.
This consultation may be of interest to:
- Canadians who are Deaf or hard of hearing
- Viewers and other interested members of the public
- Canadian and online streaming services operating in Canada
Key topics for discussion
The CRTC is looking to build a regulatory policy for closed captioning of programming provided by online streaming services operating in Canada.
We invite you to provide your comments on:
- what barriers persons who are Deaf or hard of hearing face when accessing online programming
- solutions to remove the current barriers and prevent new ones
- standards and quality of closed captioning of online programming
- how to implement appropriate reporting and monitoring mechanisms
- how to treat complaints related to closed captioning on online platforms
- industry engagement with the Deaf and hard of hearing community
- which online streaming services should be subject to any new rules
See Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2024-137 for more details.
What we are learning
- Interventions (comments we received online, by mail and by fax)
Related information
- TV access for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing: closed captioning
- Let’s Talk TV - Navigating the Road Ahead - Making informed choices about television providers and improving accessibility to television programming, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2015-104
- Standard conditions of service for licensed discretionary services, national news discretionary services and mainstream sports discretionary services and exemption order for exempt discretionary services, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2023-306
- English-language closed captioning mandatory quality standards relating to the accuracy rate for live television programming, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2019-308
- Quality standards for English-language closed captioning, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2012-362
- Quality standards for French-language closed captioning – Enforcement, monitoring and the future mandate of the French-language Closed Captioning Working Group, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2011-741-1
- Quality standards for French-language closed captioning, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2011-741
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