Communications Governance Newsletter

Weekly News (July 9, 2019)

Compiled by Ian Steinberg with Sara Bannerman

McMaster University, Communications Governance Observatory

 

Communications Governance Observatory Monthly Podcast Series

• Podcast #6 with host and producer Sumana Naidu now available: Digital Economic Nationalism with Dr. Blayne Haggart (18 min)

Canadian News (July 2-8, 2019)

• [BROADCAST/CANCON] ‘If you benefit, you contribute:’ Heritage Minister expects digital giants to contribute to Cancon(Globe and Mail)
• [COPYRIGHT/INDIGENOUS RIGHTS] Culture, copyright collide in Indigenous communities(Winnipeg Free Press)
• [CYBERSECURITY] Canadian spies view new power as way to combat foreign influence(Star)
• [ELECTION SECURITY] Intelligence IDs foreign influencers(Spectator)
• [ELECTIONS] Foreign meddlers in our elections are safe(Spectator)
• [ETHICS OVERSIGHT] Senators urge review after learning Ethics Officer can view their e-mails(Globe and Mail, paywall)
• [NET NEUTRALITY] Opinion: Does federal panel threaten net neutrality?(Spectator)
• [PRESS FREEDOM] Vice reporter loses final bid to block RCMP demand for background material(National Post)
• [SMART CITY] Smart cities spark call for new privacy laws; Ontario’s watchdog asks for review(Star)
• [SMART CITY] Thirty business leaders pen letter in support of moving ahead on Sidewalk Labs project(Globe and Mail)
• [SURVEILLANCE] BC Civil Liberties Association plans to release CSIS papers(CP/CTV)
• [SURVEILLANCE] CSIS kept records on environmental groups, files show(Globe and Mail, paywall)
• [WIRELESS] Rogers, Shaw wireless disruption causes dropped 911 calls(Globe and Mail, paywall)

International News (July 2-8, 2019)

• [CYBERSECURITY] US suspends border-surveillance subcontractor after cyberattack(Washington Post, paywall)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION/PLATFORM REGULATION] France moves to make companies block hate speechonline (Washington Post)
• [JOURNALISM] Conference for press freedom receives mixed reaction(Globe and Mail, paywall)
• [PLATFORM POLITICS] Facebook ads funded by ‘dark money’ are the right’s weapon for 2020(Guardian)
• [PLATFORM REGULATION] Facebook US data transfer case goes to Europe’s top court(Washington Post)
• [PRIVACY/RELIGION] Pope insists on confession secrecy despite scandals(AP)
• [TAX] French parliament approves pioneering 3% tax on tech giants(AP)
• [WIRELESS/TRADE] Trump punches Huawei and US tech firms get bloody nose(WSJ)

 

Press Releases and Decisions (July 2-8, 2019)

Supreme Court of Canada

• [PRIVACY/SEARCH AND SEIZURE] Isaël Blais c. Sa Majesté la Reine (Qc) (Criminelle) (Autorisation) (38053) The motion for an extension of time to serve and file the application for leave to appeal is granted. The application for leave to appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Quebec (Québec), Number 200-10-003284-168, 2017 QCCA 1774, dated November 9, 2017, is dismissed.
• [PRIVACY/SEARCH AND SEIZURE] David Joseph Beairsto v. Her Majesty the Queen (Alta.) (Criminal) (By Leave) (38126) The application for leave to appeal from the judgment of the Court of Appeal of Alberta (Edmonton), Number 1603-0224-A, 2018 ABCA 118, dated March 28, 2018, is dismissed.

Canadian Heritage

• Statement by Minister Rodriguez on the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review What We Heard Report
• Backgrounder – Helping Citizens Critically Assess and Become Resilient Against Harmful Online Disinformation
• Helping Citizens Critically Assess and Become Resilient Against Harmful Online Disinformation

Competition Bureau Canada

• George McDonald joins the Competition Bureau as new Chief Digital Enforcement Officer
• Customer Loyalty Programs: What is your brand loyalty worth?

CRTC

 

News Releases:

• Broadcasting decision 2019-238
  [2019-07-03 11:00:00]
  APPROVED – North Superior Broadcasting Ltd. – Marathon, Nipigon/Red Rock, Hornepayne, Beardmore, Geraldton, Longlac, Nakina and White River, Ontario – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CFNO-FM Marathon and its transmitters
• Broadcasting decision 2019-237
  [2019-07-03 11:00:00]
  APPROVED – Radio Stingray Inc. – Marystown, Newfoundland and Labrador – Application for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language commercial FM radio station in Marystown, to replace the English-language commercial AM radio station CHCM Marystown
• Broadcasting decision 2019-236
  [2019-07-03 11:00:00]
  APPROVED – Arctic Radio (1982) Limited – Flin Flon, Manitoba – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CFAR-FM
• Broadcasting decision 2019-235
  [2019-07-03 11:00:00]
  APPROVED – HFX Broadcasting Inc. – Halifax, Nova Scotia – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the English-language commercial radio station CKHZ-FM
• Broadcasting decision 2019-234
  [2019-07-02 11:00:00]
  APPROVED – Canal Savoir – Montréal, Quebec – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the French-language educational television station CFTU-DT
• Broadcasting decision 2019-233
  [2019-07-02 11:00:00]
  APPROVED – Lewis Birnberg Hanet, LLP – Across Canada – Application to add the non-Canadian service REVEL TV to the List of non-Canadian programming services and stations authorized for distribution
• Telecom decision 2019-232
  [2019-07-02 11:00:00]
  Bell Canada – Elimination of the ex ante price floor test for retail tariffs – Public record: 8663-B2-201808544

Democratic Institutions

• Technical briefing on the Government of Canada’s plan to safeguard the election

Elections Canada

• Registered Political Parties Submit 2018 Financial Returns

Global Affairs Canada

• Canada to champion media freedom at global conference
• Canada announces support to improve access to quality education for women and girls in fragile, conflict and crisis situations

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

• Rural communities in British Columbia will benefit from faster Internet

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• Quebec, federal Privacy Commissioners investigate Desjardins breach

Facebook

• Addressing Sensational Health Claims

Upcoming Events

Senate of Canada

• No fixed and possible Senate sitting days this week; Senate reconvenes on September 17, 2019

Canadian House of Commons

• No fixed and possible House of Commons sitting days this week; House reconvenes on September 16, 2019

Supreme Court of Canada

• Judgements to be rendered in leave to appeal” releases:

o  [INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY] Sadhu Singh Hamdard Trust v. Navsun Holdings Ltd. (F.C.) (Civil) (By Leave) (38550)

 

Innovation, Science and Economic Development

• Consultation on a Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 3500 MHz Band

CRTC

• Broadcasting Decisions:

Applications by various licenseesto renew the broadcasting licences for various radio stations; Applications by various licenseesto renew the broadcasting licences for various television stations Decisions relating to the following applications considered under the Commission’s Part 1 process:

o  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
CBAF-FM-5 Halifax and its transmitter CBAF-FM-9 Yarmouth – Technical changes
Public record for this application: 2019-0296-6

o  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
CBHA-FM Halifax and its transmitter CBHY-FM Yarmouth – Technical changes
Public record for this application: 2019-0295-8

o  Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
CBAX-FM Halifax and its transmitter CBAX-FM-3 Yarmouth – Technical changes
Public record for this application: 2019-0297-4

o  Radio Humsafar Inc.
Ethnic commercial AM radio station in Brampton – Technical changes
Public record for this application: 2019-0040-8

• Telecom Decisions:

o  Senior Officials Responsible for Emergency Management – Application to modify the wireless public alerting visible test schedule
Public record: 8662-A197-201811216

o  Bell Canada – Application for forbearance from the regulation of retail analogue services
Public record: 8640-B2-201810846

o  Iristel Inc. – Application for final relief regarding Bell Canada’s rate increases for certain circuits
Public record: 8661-J64-201811159

o  Sogetel inc. – Application for forbearance from the regulation of business local exchange services
Public record: 8640-S4-201900837

Upcoming Public Hearings:

• • July 11, 2019 – Gatineau, Quebec
    To consider the broadcasting applications listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-127
    View hearing documents (2019-127)
  • September
    To consider the broadcasting applications listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2019-225. View hearing documents (2019-225)

• CRTC Open Broadcasting Proceedings
• CRTC Open Telecom Proceedings