Weekly News (Oct. 16th-22nd)

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: Oct. 9-15, 2017

• [CULTURAL FUNDING/CRTC] CRTC asks how digital platforms can support CanCon, Joly repeats no internet tax (National Post)
• [CULTURAL FUNDING/CRTC] ‘No negotiation about a tax exemption,’ Joly says of Netflix pledge to build production facility (Globe and Mail)
• [CULTURAL FUNDING] In the era of Netflix, what do we want Canadian Content to be? (National Post)
• [CULTURAL FUNDING] Governments can regulate culture. The question is should we?(Globe & Mail)
• [PRIVACY] Security concerns rise as police find surveillance device intercepted private text messages (Globe and Mail)
• [INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY] BlackBerry settles patent dispute with smartphone maker Blu Products (CTV News)

International News: Oct. 9-15, 2017

• [FCC] FCC Head Silent on Trump Comment About Pulling Broadcast Licenses (New York Times)
• [FCC] Congress calls on FCC to silence cellphones in prisons (Financial Post)
• [BROADBAND POLICY] Ofcom chair raises prospect of regulation for Google and Facebook (Guardian)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Africa: U.S. Withdrawal from UNESCO ‘Loss for Multilateralism,’ Says Cultural Agency’s Chief (allAfrica)
• [PRIVACY] After second bungle, IRS suspends Equifax’s “taxpayer identity” contract (Ars Technica)

Press Releases and Decisions: Oct. 9-15, 2017

CRTC Decisions

• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-359: Call for comments on the Governor in Council’s request for a report on future programming distribution models
  • Press Release: Share your views on the future of programming in Canada: The CRTC is inviting Canadians to share their views on how they will access audio and video content in the coming years and its impact on the Canadian market. The CRTC is accepting comments until November 24, 2017
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-160-1: Notice of hearing – 16 October 2017 – Gatineau, Quebec – Renewal of the broadcasting licences for terrestrial broadcasting distribution undertakings that will expire in May 2018 – Deadline for the filing of undertakings: 27 October 2017 – Deadline for the filing of final written submissions: 3 November 2017 – Deadline for the filing of final written replies: 10 November 2017
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-358: Avenue Radio Ltd. – Kelowna, British Columbia – APPROVED – Application for authority to acquire the assets of the English-language commercial radio station CJUI-FM Kelowna from Vista Radio Ltd. and for a broadcasting licence expiring 31 August 2024 to continue the operation of the station – DENIED – Request for an exception to the requirement to pay tangible benefits
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-360: Cochrane Christian Radio – Cochrane, Ontario – APPROVED – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language low-power commercial specialty (Christian music) radio station CFCJ-FM Cochrane

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada

• [CULTURAL FUNDING] Helping Northern Ontario grow its creative economy and cultural tourism: Greater Sudbury will soon be home to a new multi-disciplinary arts centre thanks in part to a Government of Canada investment of $3 million. The arts complex will include state-of-the-art 300-seat performance hall, an art gallery, studios and multi-purpose spaces
• [INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY] Parliamentary Secretary Lametti discusses how intellectual property is critical to fostering innovation: The strategic use of intellectual property rights helps firms grow and compete in a modern and global economy. That was the message delivered by David Lametti, Parliamentary Secretary to the Mnister of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development, at the 91^st Annual Meeting of the Intellectual Property Institute of Canada (IPIC)—a gathering of professionals who specialize in intellectual property rights including trademarks, copyrights, industrial designs and patents
• [BROADBAND POLICY] Bridging the digital divide in six northwestern Ontario communities: Canadians in six northwestern Ontario communities will be able to connect with friends and family across Canada and around the world, participate in distance education, seize new business opportunities and search for jobs online, thanks to Government of Canada funding of up to $4.03 million for high-speed Internet

Canadian Heritage

• [CULTURAL FUNDING] Creative Canada: Minister Joly Reiterates the Government’s Vision for the future of Canada’s Creative Industries at and Event in Toronto: Creative Canada is a roadmap that focuses on supporting Canadian creators, delivering their content to audiences at home and abroad, and ensuring that there is always a space for diverse, Canadian voices

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• [PRIVACY] OPC submits views on draft data breach regulations
• [PRIVACY] Office of the Privacy Commissioner submits views to two Department of Finance Canada consultations

Upcoming Events: Oct. 16-22, 2017

Senate of Canada

• Planned and possible Senate sitting days this week: Oct 17-20
• TRCM: Transport Communication – Study on the regulatory and technical issues related to the deployment of connected and automated vehicles: Oct 17 & 18

Canadian House of Commons

• Planned House of Commons sitting days this week: Oct. 16-20
• ETHI: Access to Information, Privacy & Ethics – Drafting instructions for a Report on the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) and Privacy of Canadians at Airports, Borders and Travelling in the United States: Oct. 16
• CHPC: Canadian Heritage – Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination: Oct. 16
• INDU: Industry, Science and Technology – Statutory Review of An Act to Promote the Efficiency and Adaptability of the Canadian Economy by Regulating Certain Activities that Discourage Reliance on Electronic Means of Carrying Out Commercial Activities, and to Amend the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act, the Competition Act, the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act and the Telecommunications Act: Oct. 17
  • Appearance by Michael Geist 11:00-1pm
• CIIT: International Trade – Drafting instructions for a Report on the Priorities of Canadian Stakeholders Having an Interest in Bilateral and Trilateral Trade in North America, Between Canada, United States and Mexico: Oct. 16

Supreme Court of Canada

• Symposium – The theme of the Symposium is the Supreme Court of Canada: Looking to the Future. An impressive selection of speakers will address four broad themes: Different Models of Supreme Court Judging; the Supreme Court, the Executive and Parliament; the Public Presence of the Supreme Court and the Role of the Media; and the Supreme Court of Canada of the Future: An Open Discussion. In order to ensure public access to this event, the Supreme Court of Canada plans to webcast the Symposium on its Website starting at 8:45 a.m. EDT (Ottawa time): Oct. 26

CRTC

• Anticipated releases for the week of 16 to 20 October, 2017
  • Broadcasting Decisions
    • Application by 8159203 Canada Limitedto change the authorized contours of the English-language commercial AM radio station CKNT Mississauga
    • Applications by Rogers Media Inc.to renew the broadcasting licence for the commercial radio station CJAQ-FM Calgary and its transmitters CJAQ-FM-1 Banff and CJAQ-FM-2 Invermere and to amend the broadcasting licence for CJAQ-FM by deleting its conditions of licence relating to the Oldies music format
  • Telecom Decision
    • Canadian Telecommunications Contribution Consortium Inc. – Request for designation of the administrator for the National Contribution Fund
      File number: 8695-C211-201706350
  • [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