Weekly News (Feb. 5-11)

Communications Governance in the News

Compiled by Charnjot Shokar

Research Assistant, Communications Governance Lab

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

Canadian News: Jan. 29 – Feb. 4, 2018

• [PRIVACY] Globe editorial: When tech companies collect data, bad things can happen (Globe and Mail)
• [INTERNET REGULATION / IP] Industry calls on CRTC for anti-piracy action (Winnipeg Free Press)
• [BROADCAST REGULATION[ Super Bowl ad ban leaves Canadian broadcaster down but not out(Toronto Star)
• [SURVEILLANCE / CYBER SECURITY] Electronic spy agency watchdog asks for more powers(Toronto Star)
• [DATA REGULATION] Jim Balsillie: Canada needs a national data strategy (Star)
• [PRIVACY] Senators urge Liberals to act on privacy, security issues with automated cars (Financial Post)
• [PRIVACY] Military cites privacy concerns for slow progress in review of unfounded cases (CBC)
• [IP] AI’s challenge to businesses: patenting machine-created intellectual property (CTV)
• [DEFAMATION] Court upholds $700K libel award for relentless internet smear campaign (Sun)
• [PRIVACY] Island whistleblowers consider legal options after report on privacy violation (National Post)
• [ELECTIONS] This student is fighting the government in court for the right to vote ‘none of the above’ in federal elections (Star)
• [CYBERSECURITY] RBC to open $1.78 M cybersecurity lab at University of Waterloo (Star)

International News: Jan. 29 – Feb. 4, 2018

• [SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION] NSPCC calls for mandatory social media code of practice(Guardian)
• [SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION] Child experts: Just say ‘no’ to Facebook’s kids app (CNBC)
• [SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION] Gabriel Weinberg: Google and Facebook are watching our every move online. It’s time to make them stop (CNBC)
• [BROADBAND] FCC chief opposes Trump administration 5G network plan (CNN)
• [STREAMING] S. copyright board ensures songwriters get big bump in music streaming fees (Star)
• [PRIVACY] If Workers Slack Off, the Wristband Will Know. (And Amazon Has a Patent for It.) (NYT)
• [DEFAMATION] Cambodian Cabinet endorses amendment banning insulting king (ABC)
• [CENSORSHIP] Facebook denies censorship in closing of Paris user’s page (Herald News)
• [DEFAMATION] Israeli criticism sparks anti-Jewish remarks in Polish media (ABC)

Press Releases and Decisions: Jan. 29 – Feb. 4, 2018

Senate of Canada

• [Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications] Press Release: Federal government must pave the way for the future of transportation
  • 36-37; 51-52; 54-60: Privacy, cyber-security, data access & competition, spectrum allocation
• Bill C-50, An Act to amend the Canada Elections Act (political financing)

Canadian House of Commons

• Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage Report: Taking Action against Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination Including Islamophobia
  • 3.1.6 Social Media
  • 3.1.7 Fake news
  • 3.2.5 Media

Federal Court of Canada

• [TRADEMARKS] Advance Magazine Publishers, Inc. v. Banff Lake Louise Tourism Bureau: Appeal granted
  • The question in this appeal is whether an ordinary casual consumer, somewhat in a hurry, would look at a menu, notice or website advertising “Bon Appétit Banff” and likely be confused into thinking that the source of the services associated with the “Bon Appétit Banff” trademark was one and the same as the source of the goods or services associated with Advance’s BON APPÉTIT trademarks. If yes, Advance’s opposition to the registration of the Respondent’s trademark should be granted, and the TMOB decision should be overturned.

Canadian Heritage

• Minister Joly Co-Chairs the First Meeting of the Canada-China Joint Committee on Culture

Canadian Intellectual Property Office

• Release of CIPO’s Annual Report 2016-2017: Empowering innovation through IP: The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) Annual Report for 2016–2017 was tabled in the House of Commons on February 2, 2018
• New Patent Prosecution Highway pilot arrangement between the Canadian Intellectual Property Office and the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office: A new Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot arrangement, implemented by the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO), will commence on February 1, 2018, for a period of three years, ending on January 31, 2021

Competition Bureau Canada

• Federal Court rules in favour of the Competition Bureau in e-books case

CRTC

• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2018-39: Complaint regarding The Weather Network/Météomédia’s use of the term “30 Days”
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-453-1:Videotron Ltd. – Various locations in Quebec – The Commission corrects Videotron G.P. – Acquisition of assets (corporate reorganization), Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-453, 18 December 2017, by adding a new paragraph
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2018-36: DENIED – Access Communications Co-operative Limited – Regina (including White City), Saskatchewan – Application regarding the broadcasting distribution undertaking serving the above-noted locality, to relieve it from the requirement to contribute to the Independent Local News Fund
• [TELECOM] Telecom Decision CRTC 2018-44: Canadian Network Operators Consortium Inc. – Application for transitional access to incumbent carriers’ fibre-to-the-premises facilities through aggregated wholesale high-speed access services – Public record: 8663-C182-201702598
• [TELECOM] Telecom Decision CRTC 2018-37: Hay Communications Co-operative Limited – Application to modify the band assignment for the Grand Bend wire centre – Public record: 8663-H3-201709909
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2018-43: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the National Pensioners Federation, the Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of British Columbia, and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-182 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0116 and 4754-559
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2018-42: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of CNIB in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-182 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0116 and 4754-552
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2018-41: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Canadian National Society of the Deaf-Blind, Inc. in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-182 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0116 and 4754-563
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2018-40: Streamlined Order – The Commission approves the following tariff application: TELUS Communications Inc. TN 531
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2018-38: Streamlined Order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff applications: Northwestel Inc. TN’s 1006, 1007, 1008

Global Affairs Canada

• Minister Freeland to participate in North American Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Mexico City: The importance of the Canada-United States-Mexico relationship is reflected in our strong diplomatic, cultural, educational and commercial relations. Canada remains committed to strengthening its multi-faceted relationship with its North American friends and allies
• Minister Champagne highlights benefits of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership: Diversifying Canada’s trade relationship with the fast-growing Asia-Pacific region is central to a progressive trade agenda and to the good, well-paying middle-class jobs that it will create

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• Responses to Clarification Questions on the Licensing Framework for Residual Spectrum Licences in the 700 MHz, 2500 MHz, 2300 MHz and PCS-G Bands

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• Commissioner appears before parliamentary committee to discuss online reputation
• Commissioner shares his views on privacy considerations related to Bill C-49
• Appearance before the Senate Committee on Transportation and Communications on Bill C-49

Microsoft

• The story behind Microsoft’s earnings: The intelligent cloud powers customer innovation across industries
• Microsoft acquires PlayFab, accelerating game development innovation in the cloud

Facebook

• Facebook Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2017 Results
• News Feed FYI: More Local News on Facebook

Apple

• Apple Reports First Quarter Results

Amazon

• Amazon Music makes the pitch for more music

Instagram

• Bringing Carousel Ads to Instagram Stories
• Now You Can Schedule Posts with the Instagram Graph API

Upcoming Events

Senate of Canada

• Planned and possible Senate sitting days this week: Feb. 5-9
• RIDR: Human Rights – Study on the issues relating to the human rights of prisoners in the correctional system: Feb. 7 at 11:30 am
  • Appearance by Daniel Therrien, Privacy Commissioner of Canada
• SECD: National Security and Defence – Canada’s national security and defence policies, practices, circumstances and capabilities: Feb. 5 at 1:00 pm
• SOCI: Social Affairs, Science and Technology – Study on issues relating to social affairs, science and technology generally: Feb. 7 at 4:15 pm and Feb. 8 at 10:30 am
• TRCM: Transport and Communications – Bill C-49, An Act to amend the Canada Transportation Act and other Acts: Feb. 6 at 9:30 am and Feb. 7 at 6:45 pm

Canadian House of Commons

• Planned House of Commons sitting days this week: Feb. 5-9
• ETHI: Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics – Briefing on Net Neutrality: Feb. 6
• INDU: Industry, Science and Technology – Broadband Connectivity in Rural Canada: Feb. 6
• CIIT: International Trade – Potential Agreement Between Canada and the Pacific Alliance: Consulting Canadians: Feb 6 and Feb. 8
• JUST: Justice and Human Rights – Counselling and Other Mental Health Supports for Jurors: Feb. 6 and Feb. 8
• SECU: Public Safety and National Security – Bill C-59, An Act respecting national security matters: Feb. 6 and Feb. 8

Supreme Court of Canada

• Official ceremony to mark the appointment of the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., as Chief Justice of Canada: Feb. 5 at 10:30am

Democratic Institutions

• Online consultation on political party leaders’ debatesDeadline: February 9, 2018

CRTC

• Anticipated releases for the week of 5 to 9 February 2018
  • Broadcasting Decisions
    • Applications by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporationto amend the broadcasting licences for CBSI‑FM Sept-Îles, CBTK-FM Kelowna and CBY Corner Brook
    • Application by VMedia Inc.to add English Club TV to the List of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution
  • Telecom Decision
    • CISC Canadian Steering Committee on Numbering – Consensus report CNRE121A regarding an update of unassignable NXXs in the Canadian Non-Geographic Code Assignment Guideline
      Public record: 8621-C12-01/08
  • Open Consultations

• • • [TELECOM] Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2018-5: Show cause proceeding and call for comments – Telecommunications service providers that have failed to become participants in the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services Inc. – Deadline for submission of interventions 22 February 2018
    • [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2018-16: Notice of hearing 27 March 2018 – Gatineau, Québec – Deadline for submission of interventions/comments/answers: 15 February 2018
    • [BROADCAST POLICY] Broadcasting notice of consultation 2017-359-2 Call for comments on the Governor in Council’s request for a report on future programming distribution models – New deadline for comments in the second phase of the proceeding: 13 February 2018

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• Consultation on the Spectrum Outlook 2018 to 2022Comments (and Reply Comments) deadline for the Spectrum Outlook Consultation have been extend until Feb 16 and March 16 respectively (http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/smt-gst.nsf/eng/sf11359.html).
• (with Public Safety) Targeted Stakeholder Engagement on potential Implementation Models for a Public Safety Broadband Network in Canada

Parks Canada

• Consultation: Signal Hill National Historic Site Draft Management Plancloses February 28 2018