Weekly News (Oct. 30th-Nov. 5th)

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. 23-29, 2017

• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Prime Minister – Please close gaps in information law (The Star)
• [COPYRIGHT] Record labels plead for more radio royalties amid cultural policy review (Globe and Mail)
• [CULTURAL FUNDING] Digital companies should pay their fair share of tax (Toronto Star)
• [INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY] Live After NAFTA: Why No Deal May Free Canada on Intellectual Property Policy (Michael Geist)
• [SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION] Facebook to use Canada as testing ground for new ad transparency features (CBC News)
• [PRIVACY] Threat of Cyberattacks ‘more worrisome than all the other stuff’: Bank of Canada governor (The Star)
• [PRIVACY] Federal government tight-lipped about ‘serious flaw’ in Wi-Fi security protocol (National Post)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Dalhousie accused of ‘white supremacy’ amid escalating tensions over racism (National Post)

International News: Oct. 23-29, 2017

• [FCC] The FCC just ended a decades-old rule designed to keep TV and radio under local control (Washington Post)
• [SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION] ‘Downright Orwellian’: journalists decry Facebook experiment’s impact on democracy (Guardian)
• [SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION] Twitter bans ads from RT and Sputnik over election interference (Guardian)
• [PRIVACY] The Questions More Indians Ask – ‘Is My Phone Tapped?’ (NYT)
• [CENSORSHIP] A Peek Into the Future for Technology in Xi Jinping’s China (WSJ-Subscriber Access)
• [CENSORSHIP] Facebook censored me. Criticize your government and it might censor you too. (USA Today)
• [FCC] FCC chair to work with Congress on prison cellphone issues (National Post)
• [CENSORSHIP] How Twitter Killed the First Amendment (NYT)
• [PRIVACY] When it Comes to Surveillance, Watch the Watchmen (NYT)
• [PRIVACY] Ex-U.S. spy chiefs urge Congress to renew internet surveillance law (Reuters)

Press Releases and Decisions: Oct. 23-29, 2017

Senate of Canada

• [BANKING, TRADE & COMMERCE] Senators probe cybersecurity and cyberfraud in Canada
• [TRANSPORT & COMMUNICATIONS] Senators take a spin in the Autonomoose

CRTC

• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-387: Cogeco Connexion Inc. – Various locations in Ontario and Quebec – APPROVED – Application to delay until 31 March 2018 the requirement that the licensee’s broadcasting distribution undertakings in the above-noted provinces adhere to certain provisions of the Television Service Provider Code
• Compliance and Enforcement Decision CRTC 2017-385: Delegation of a National Do Not Call List Operator and delegation of Commission powers to the National Do Not Call List Operator as the Fees Collection Delegate
• [TELECOM] Telecom Decision CRTC 2017-389: CISC Emergency Services Working Group – Consensus report ESRE0076 – 9-1-1 Service Outage Notification Processes – File number: 8665-C12-201507008
• [TELECOM] Telecom Decision CRTC 2017-388: Clause 13(b) of the Municipal Access Agreement between the City of Hamilton and Bell Canada regarding the vertical location of underground facilities – File number: 1011-NOC2017-0066
• [TELECOM] Telecom Decision CRTC 2017-384: Sogetel inc. – Application to modify the band assignment for the four wire centres – File number: 8663-S4-201707019
• [TELECOM] Telecom Decision CRTC 2017-383: 9315-1884 Québec inc. – Application to modify the band assignment for the Lambton wire centre – File number: 8663-Q29-201707035
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-381: Notice of hearing – 11 January 2018 – Gatineau, Québec – Deadline for submission of interventions/comments/answers: 24 November 2017
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-386: Streamlined order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff applications: Independent Telecommunications Providers Association TN 116 ; TELUS Communications Company TNs 528 (TCC) and 630 (TCQ)
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-382: Streamlined order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff application: Bell Aliant Regional Communications, Limited Partnership TN TN 511
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-380: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Deaf Wireless Canada Consultative Committee in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-200 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0293 and 4754-560
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-379: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of Media Access Canada in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-200 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0293 and 4754-558
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-378: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Consumers Council of Canada in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-200 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0293 and 4754-557
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-377: Streamlined Order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff application: Groupe Maskatel LP TN 72
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-376: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of OpenMedia in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-104 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0192 and 4754-546
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-375: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of Media Access Canada in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-104 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0192 and 4754-550
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-374: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-104 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0192 and 4754-549

Canadian Heritage

• [CULUTRAL FUNDING] Federal Government Invests $5 Million in the Cape Breton Centre for Arts, Culture and Innovation: This project will create a new creative hub for residents of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and beyond

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• [BROADBAND/PUBLIC SAFETY] Targeted Stakeholder Engagement on potential Implementation Models for a Public Safety Broadband Network in Canada: Apr. 24, 2017-Dec. 20, 2017

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• [PRIVACY] Sweep of educational apps finds some fall short on privacy
• [PRIVACY] Appearance before the Standing Committee on Industry, Science, and Technology (INDU) on the review of Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)
• [PRIVACY] Appearance before the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI) on Bill C-58, An Act to amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Copyright Board Canada

• [COPYRIGHT] Notice of the Board: Online Music Services (SOCAN: 2014-2018; Re:Sound: 2013-2018; CSI: 2014-2018; CMRRA: 2014-2018; SODRAC: 2014-2018; Artisti: 2016-2018) / Internet – Audiovisual Content and User Generated Content (SOCAN: 2014-2018; CMRRA: 2016-2018; SODRAC: 2015-2018)
• [COPYRIGHT] Order of the Board: Online Music Services (SOCAN: 2014-2018; Re:Sound: 2013-2018; CSI: 2014-2018; CMRRA: 2014-2018; SODRAC: 2014-2018; Artisti: 2016-2018) / Internet – Audiovisual Content and User Generated Content (SOCAN: 2014-2018; CMRRA: 2016-2018; SODRAC: 2015-2018)

Microsoft

• Optimizing Outlook.com to ensure data is close to our customers
• DOJ acts to curb the overuse of secrecy orders. Now its Congress’ turn

Twitter

• Announcement: RT and Sputnik Advertising
• New Transparency for Ads on Twitter

Facebook

• Update on Our Advertising Transparency and Authenticity Efforts

Upcoming Events: Oct. 30-Nov. 5, 2017

Senate of Canada

• Planned and possible Senate sitting days this week: Oct. 30-Nov.3
• TRCM: Transport Communication – Study on the regulatory and technical issues related to the deployment of connected and automated vehicles: Oct. 31

Canadian House of Commons

• Planned House of Commons sitting days this week: Oct 30-Nov. 3
• ETHI: Access to Information, Privacy & Ethics – Bill C-58, An Act to Amend the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts: Oct. 30 & Nov. 1
• CHPC: Canadian Heritage – Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination: Oct. 30 & Nov. 1
• 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. 31
• CIIT: International Trade – Multiculturalism and International Trade: Oct. 30

Supreme Court of Canada

• [CBC] Canadian Broadcasting Corporation v. Her Majesty the Queen(Alta.) (Criminal) (By Leave) (37360): Appeal to be heard on Nov. 1

CRTC

• Anticipated Releases for the week of 30 October to 3 November, 2017
  • Broadcasting Decisions
    • Applications by RNC MEDIA Inc.to renew and to amend the broadcasting licence for the French-language commercial radio station CHXX-FM Donnacona and its transmitter CHXX-FM-1 Sainte-Croix-de-Lotbinière
    • Application by Radio Markham York Incorporatedto change the authorized contours of the commercial radio station CFMS-FM Markham, Ontario
    • Application by 8384860 Canada Inc.to amend the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CHLG-FM Vancouver
    • Application by DARR FM Radio Ltd.to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial specialty (Christian music) radio station CJRP-FM Saint John
    • Application by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporationto amend the broadcasting licence for the English-language radio station CBZF-FM Fredericton
  • [BROADCASTING] Toronto, Ontario – Nov. 28, 2017 – Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-316: The Commission will consider the following applications:

1. Dufferin Communications Inc.
   Grimsby/Beamsville, Ontario
   Application 2014-1355-9
2. Durham Radio Inc.
   Grimsby/Beamsville, Ontario
   Application 2017-0257-2
3. Byrnes Communications Inc.
   Grimsby/Beamsville, Ontario
   Application 2017-0261-3
4. My Broadcasting Corporation
   Georgina, Ontario
   Application 2015-0361-5
5. Frank Torres, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
   Georgina, Ontario
   Application 2017-0561-7
6. Radio Markham York Incorporated, on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated
   Georgina, Ontario
   Application 2017-0568-3
7. TELUS Communications Inc.
   Kelowna, Nanaimo, Penticton, Prince George, Terrace, Vancouver (including Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley, Whistler and surrounding areas), Vernon and Victoria, British Columbia; Calgary, Edmonton (including St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove and Stony Plain), Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie and Red Deer, Alberta; Rimouski, Saint-Georges, Sept-Îles, Baie-Comeau, Gaspé, Montmagny, Sainte-Marie, Mont-Tremblant and surrounding areas, Quebec; and across Canada
   Applications 2017-0446-1 and 2017-0592-2
8. Videotron Ltd.
   Various locations in Quebec
   Application 2017-0613-6
9. Byrnes Communications Inc.
   Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, Ontario
   Application 2017-0445-3
10. 2044577 Alberta Ltd.
    Strathmore, Alberta
    Application 2017-0478-4
11. Kenneth Collin Brown
    Barriere, British Columbia
    Application 2017-0437-0