Weekly News (Oct. 2nd-Oct. 8th)

Communications Governance in the News

Compiled by Charnjot Shokar

Research Assistant, Networked Communications Governance Lab

M.A. Candidate, Communication and New Media, McMaster University

Canadian News: Sept. 25-Oct. 1

• [CULTURAL FUNDING] Producers seek answers as they digest Netflix’s $500M pledge to Canadian content (National Post)
• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Globe editorial: With Trudeau reform, information will be harder to access (Globe and Mail)
• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Liberals blame the Tories for poor audit results (Toronto Star)
• [CULTURAL POLICY] Parsing the policy (Globe and Mail)
• [CRTC] There’s a simple solution to outrageous wireless fees. Will the new CRTC chair have the guts to try it? Forcing Canada’s telecoms to share their wireless networks with competitors would finally bring our monthly bills down to earth. But will the new CRTC chair have the guts to do it? (Globe and Mail)

International News: Sept. 25-Oct. 1

• [FCC] FCC head, a critic of net neutrality rules, likely to be reconfirmed (CNet)
• [TELECOMMUNICATIONS] Apple Urged to Activate iPhone’s FM Radio Chip After Hurricanes (Bloomberg)
• [TELECOMMUNICATIONS] A Week After Maria’s Strike, Puerto Rico Remains Offline (WSJ)
• [TELECOMMUNICATIONS] FCC finds ‘effective competition’ in U.S. wireless market (Reuters)
• [PRIVACY] Freedom of information vs data privacy (Manila Bulletin)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Pro-democracy legislator guilty of desecrating Hong Kong and China flags (South China Morning Post)
• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] South Africa: SA Needs Greater Access to Information (allAfrica)
• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Access to information must be universal and inclusive: Unesco official (Business Recorder)
• [CENSORSHIP] Whatsapp Service Disrupted in Mainland as Censorship Tightens (Macau Daily Times)

Press Releases and Decisions: Sept. 25-Oct.1

CRTC Decisions

• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-346: Blackburn Radio Inc. – Wingham and Bluewater, Ontario – APPROVED – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CIBU-FM Wingham and its transmitter CIBU-FM-1 Bluewater
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017: 348: Total Change Christian Ministries – Campbell River, British Columbia – APPROVED – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language low-power non-commercial specialty (Christian music) radio station CHVI-FM Campbell River
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-344: Streamlined Order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: TELUS Communications Company TN 527
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-345: Streamlined Order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff applications: TELUS Communications Company TNs 525 and 526
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-347: Streamlined order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: Northwestel Inc. TN 1001

Senate of Canada

• [PRIVACY] Canada’s Aging Cybersecurity Strategy Needs an Update: Sen. Jaffer

Canadian Heritage

• [POLICY] Minister Joly Announces Creative Canada: A Vision for Canada’s Creative Industries in the Digital Age: Creative Canada is a roadmap for supporting Canadian creators, ensuring that our content can reach audiences both at home and abroad, and that there is always a space for diverse, Canadian voices
• [CRTC] New CRTC Chair’s Leadership Will Help Shape the Future of Canada’s Communication System: The Government of Canada reaffirms its commitment to the CRTC in a welcome letter to the new Chair of the independent agency
• [INNOVATION] Canada shows global leadership on innovations at G7 Industry and ICT Ministers’ Meeting: Minister Bains highlights Canada’s commitment to jobs, skills and business growth during talks in Italy September 27, 2017 – Ottawa – Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada The Government of Canada is positioning Canada as a world leader in innovation through the Innovation and Skills Plan, a multi-year strategy aimed at ensuring that Canada meets the challenges and seizes the opportunities of the modern and global economy

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Bill C-58 results in a regression of the rights of access to information: Failing to Strike the Right Balance for Transparency – Recommendations to improve Bill C-58: An Act to Amend the Access to Information Actand the Privacy Act and to Make Consequential Amendments to Other Acts

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• [PRIVACY] International data protection authorities endorse resolution on enforcement cooperation
• [PRIVACY/ACCESS TO INFORMATION] OPC’s ATIP Annual Reports tabled in Parliament

Upcoming Events: Oct. 2-8, 2017

Senate of Canada

• Planned and possible Senate sitting days this week: Oct. 2-6, 2017
• TRCM: Transport Communication – Study on the regulatory and technical issues related to the deployment of connected and automated vehicles: Oct. 4, 2017

Canadian House of Commons

• Planned House of Commons sitting days this week: Oct. 2-6, 2017
• CHPC: Canadian Heritage – Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination: Oct. 2, 2017
• CIIT: International Trade – Priorities of Canadian Stakeholders in Bilateral and Trilateral Trade in North America: Oct. 2, 2017
• JUST: Justice and Human Rights – Access to the Justice System: Oct. 2, 2017

CRTC

• Broadcasting Decisions:

  Application by THEMA Canada Inc. to add Canal+ International to the List of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution

  Application by CFPV-FM Radio Ltd. to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CFPV-FM Pemberton

  Application by International Harvesters for Christ Evangelistic Association Inc. to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-languagespecialty (Christian music)radio station CJLU-FM Halifax and its transmitter CJLU-FM-1 Wolfville

• [BROADCASTING] Gatineau, Quebec – Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-160: Renewal of the broadcasting licenses for terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings that will expire in May 2018: Oct. 16, 2017

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