Share your thoughts about the Independent Local News Fund
Current status: Open
- Start date: July 23, 2024
- End date: September 6, 2024
The Independent Local News Fund (ILNF) helps independent television stations to produce high-quality local news programming. Following the CRTC’s decision on base contributions, we are seeking your views on how the ILNF can better support local news provided by independent television stations. Share your thoughts on how we should review the fund’s eligibility criteria and allocation method to ensure a fair, simple, and appropriate distribution of funds to current and future recipients.
This is a focused consultation on aspects of the ILNF. As per its regulatory plan, the CRTC plans to launch a broader consultation about supporting news in the Canadian broadcasting system in the future.
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 September 6, 2024 at 8 pm (EDT).
Submit a comment online
Use the intervention form.
You will have to agree to our privacy statement first.
Participate by mail
Send a letter with your ideas and comments to:
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 at hearing@crtc.gc.ca.
Who is the focus of this consultation
This consultation is of most interest to:
- Independent television stations
- Audio-visual broadcasters
- Journalists/newscasters
- Canadian audiences
Key topics for discussion
One key element of the modernization of Canada’ s broadcasting framework is that more companies will be required to contribute to the ILNF. It is paramount that more private independent television stations can benefit from this financial support. However, before considering any new recipients, the Commission needs to review the ILNF’s eligibility criteria and allocation process to ensure transparency and fairness in the distribution of funds. It also needs to ensure that the recipients of ILNF funding continue to cater to the evolving needs of Canadian audiences.
We invite you to provide your comments on:
- eligibility criteria
- fund allocation and distribution method
- support for underserved markets
- support for French-language local news
- impact of potentially allowing Corus stations to access the ILNF
Read the Notice of Consultation for more details.
Related information
- The Path Forward – Supporting Canadian and Indigenous content through base contributions, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2024-121, 4 June 2024
- The Independent Local News Fund – Revision to the allocation method, Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2021-203, 18 August 2020
- Policy framework for local and community television, Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2016-224, 15 June 2016
- Filing submissions for Commission proceedings in accessible formats, Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2015-242, 8 June 2015
- Guidelines on the CRTC Rules of Practice and Procedure, Broadcasting and Telecom Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-959, 23 December 2010
- Changes to certain practices for filing interventions – Expansion of filing practices to include the filing of joint supporting comments for broadcasting policy proceedings, Broadcasting Information Bulletin CRTC 2010-28-1, 10 December 2010
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