Consultation on improving public interest participation

We sought your comments on how the CRTC can better support public interest participation in its proceedings.

The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal responsible for regulating the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. It encourages people with a diversity of perspectives to participate in its proceedings.

People that represent the public interest can apply for funding to cover some of their costs of participating in proceedings, for example to commission expert research, conduct surveys of Canadians, or receive legal advice. Through this public consultation, the CRTC aims to make funding more predictable and faster by simplifying the application process.

Who was the focus of this consultation

This consultation was of interest to:

• public interest groups, individuals, and academics
• members of equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous peoples, racialized Canadians, and persons with disabilities
• official language minority communities (OLMCs)
• past applicants for public interest funding
• members of the public

Key topics for discussion

We invited you to provide your comments on:

• simplifying the application process
• making funding easier to access and more available to more interested persons and parties
• ensuring timely reimbursement of funds and appropriate cost coverage
• expanding eligibility to support broader participation, including for Indigenous groups and OLMCs
• determining how funding should be allocated and who should contribute
• ensuring funding is used effectively in the public interest

Read the Notice of Consultation for more details.

How are costs awards different for broadcasting and telecommunications proceedings?

Both types of proceedings

• Individuals and public interest groups can be reimbursed for their participation.
• The same rules are used to decide who can be reimbursed.

Broadcasting and Online News proceedings

• The Broadcasting Participation Fund (BPF) is an independent, not-for-profit organization that reimburses individuals and public-interest groups for their participation using the money it has in its fund.
• The BPF is funded, in part, by broadcasters ordered by the CRTC to contribute to the fund.
• The BPF reviews applications to determine who will be reimbursed.

Telecommunications proceedings

• The CRTC orders telecommunications companies to reimburse the costs of individuals and public interest groups through a process that is similar to when a court requires one party to pay the other party’s costs.
• Participants who want to be reimbursed for their costs apply directly to the CRTC.
• The CRTC reviews applications to determine who is awarded costs for their participation and which companies must provide it.

What we learned

• Interventions (comments we received online, by mail and by fax)

Related information

• November 2023 Secretary General Letter related to funding the BPF

Date modified:

2025-09-09