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ASL – Understand the process

Video Transcript

There are typical steps taken during the course of any proceeding; however, each case is different. Most of the CRTC's proceedings are Written Proceedings, which means all information is submitted in written form. Some proceedings also have an oral component, where parties come in person and give a presentation in addition to their written comments. "Parties" are any individual or organization that participated in the written proceeding. Details about the proceeding will be listed in the CRTC's Notice of Consultation and/or on the All Public Proceedings Open for Comment. These details can include the topic being discussed, the process timelines and deadlines, any comments submitted, and any changes or updates made to the process.

1) A Written Proceeding

The process of each proceeding is often modified by the CRTC. However, we hope to give you a sense of how a typical proceeding unfolds. It usually follows these steps:

  1. The CRTC announces the start of a proceeding. To do so, the CRTC posts a Notice of Consultation or Part 1 application on its website.
  2. Anyone wishing to participate must file comments on the topic. They send in an explanation of their viewpoint, supporting evidence (if applicable), and any other relevant documentation. These individuals or organization are now called "parties".
  3. Parties may have the opportunity to reply to what others have said.
  4. All of this information is collected and analyzed by the CRTC to make its final decision, which will be posted on its website.

Chart inside the video

This flow chart, Written Proceeding, is uni-directional. It shows the four most typical steps involved in a written proceeding:

  1. Proceeding starts; Content: Parties read the Notice of Consultation or Application on the CRTC webpage
  2. Comments; Content: Parties send comments to the CRTC
  3. Replies; Content: Applicant replies (sometimes other parties)
  4. CRTC decision; Content: CRTC makes a decision and posts it on its website

2) An Oral Hearing

In addition to a written proceeding, some proceedings also include an oral component. This allows parties to communicate information to a Hearing Panel of CRTC Commissioners during a face-to-face meeting through an oral presentation. The members of the Hearing Panel is selected from the larger group of Commissioners and are responsible to review issues and to make decisions.

The process of an oral hearing starts very similarly to a written proceeding except that the CRTC always issues a Notice of Consultation. An oral hearing provides parties that request to appear with the opportunity to present in person, the comments filed in their original written comments. It also allows the Hearing Panel to ask questions. In some cases, the members of the Hearing Panel may invite parties to file final written comments to clarify points already made by other parties. No new information can be submitted during this final reply unless it is asked for specifically by the Hearing Panel. At oral hearings the CRTC may ask certain parties to attend: this is known as being invited to appear.

The following diagrams are again provided to give you a sense of how a typical proceeding unfolds. Remember that the process of each proceeding is often modified by the CRTC. There are two main typical proceedings for oral hearings: Application and Policy Proceedings. The dashed boxes are a common, though not typical, part of the proceeding.

Application Proceeding

Chart inside the video

This flow chart, Oral Hearing: Application, is a flow chart showing the seven most typical steps involved in an oral hearing for an application. The chart is uni-directional.

An oral hearing has two components: the written proceeding phase and the oral proceeding phase.

Written proceeding phase:

  1. Proceeding starts: Parties read the Notice of Consultation or Application on the CRTC website
  2. Comments: Parties send comments to the CRTC
  3. Replies: Applicant replies

Oral proceeding phase:

  1. Presentation by applicant: The applicant presents to the Panel
  2. Presentation by parties: Parties present to the Panel
  3. Final reply: Applicant may reply to interventions received
  4. CRTC decision: CRTC makes a decision and posts it on its website

Policy Proceeding

Chart inside the video

This flow chart, Oral Hearing: Policy, is a flow chart showing the six most typical steps involved in an oral hearing for a policy creation or review. The chart is uni-directional.

An oral hearing has two components: The written proceeding phase and the oral proceeding phase.

Written proceeding phase

  1. Proceeding starts: Parties read the Notice of Consultation or Application on the CRTC website
  2. Comments: Parties send comments to the CRTC
  3. (Optional) Replies: Applicant replies

Oral proceeding phase

  1. Presentation by parties: Parties presents to the Panel
  2. (Optional) Final comments: Parties may submit final oral or written comments
  3. CRTC decision: CRTC makes a decision and posts it on its website

At the end of a proceeding, once all of the comments are submitted, the Hearing Panel makes a decision, which is posted on the CRTC website. All CRTC decisions can be found on the Decisions, Notice and Orders index webpage. The CRTC aims to publish all of its decisions within the time frames specified in the appendix to the Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2011-222, which can take many months.

Online consultations can also form part of a proceeding. These are discussion forums where you can engage in conversations with other individuals about telecommunications and broadcasting issues. Current online consultations are posted on Consultations and hearings: have your say.

This video is intended for Canadians that use American Sign Language (ASL) as their primary language. This will help you identify the typical steps taken during the course of any proceeding and find the information that you need.

For more information, see the ASL - Roadmap to CRTC processes

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