Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do
Raison d’être
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is an administrative tribunal that regulates and supervises Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications in the public interest, as well as enhances the privacy and safety of Canadians.
The CRTC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.
Mandate and role
The CRTC's main responsibilities include the following:
Regulatory Policy, Legislative Implementation and Regulation
- Developing regulatory policies for Canada’s communication system
- Approving tariffs and agreements for certain telecommunications services
- Issuing, renewing and amending licences for broadcasting distribution and programming undertakings
- Approving mergers, acquisitions and changes of ownership of broadcasting undertakings
- Resolving competitive disputes
Outreach and Engagement with Canadians
- Consulting and informing Canadians
- Responding to enquiries and complaints from Canadians
- Collaborating with domestic and international partners on issues
- Facilitating industry co-regulation and self-regulation through consultations, committees and working groups
Monitoring, Compliance and Enforcement
- Monitoring and reporting on the Canadian communication system
- Promoting and enforcing compliance with legislation, regulation and rules such as the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (UTRs), Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) and the Voter Contact Registry (VCR)
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