Weekly News (Oct. 23rd-29th)

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. 16-22, 2017

• [BROADCASTING] Corus CEO says regulators may need to rethink stance on consolidation (Globe and Mail)
• [SOCIAL MEDIA REGULATION] Experts say Facebook’s ‘election integrity’ plan misses the mark (Toronto Star)
• [BROADCASTING POLICY] Government Rejects Call for an Internet Tax: “Conflicts With Principle of Affordable Access” (Michael Geist)
• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Opposition hammers proposed changes to Access to Information law (Globe and Mail)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Trudeau says it’s not up to Ottawa to challenge Quebec veil-ban law (CTV)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Dalhousie defends free expression as student faces hearing over Canada 150 post (Globe and Mail)
• [PRIVACY] Mother takes tech giants to court to get passwords for her dead son’s social media accounts (The Star)
• [PRIVACY] Canada’s ‘super secret spy agency’ is releasing a malware-fighting tool to the public (CBC)
• [PRIVACY] ‘I’m just so furious’: Mother and son fall victim to Equifax Canada hack (Globe and Mail)
• [DEFAMATION] Premier Kathleen Wynne serves PC leader with libel notice (CBC)

International News: Oct. 16-22, 2017

• [PRIVACY] Supreme Court agrees to take on US-Microsoft dispute over e-mails(AP/Boston Globe)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] The great Catalonian cyberwar of 2017(Washington Post)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] When the Price of Reporting Is a Car Bomb(NYT)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] Zimbabwe created a new ministry to monitor social media(Washington Post)
• [FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION] US tech giants may find their future shaped by Europe(AP/ABC)
• [FCC] Trump, NBC and Fake News: A plurality of voters agree it’s a problem, but don’t think punishing broadcasters is the solution(WSJ-subscriber access)
• [AD REGULATION] Facebook, Google might be one step closer to new regulations on ad transparency(Chicago Tribune)
• [SOCIAL MEDIA] Twitter further tightens abuse rules in attempt to prove it cares(Guardian)
• [PRIVACY] Case reveals legal rules of thumb tricky with iPhone sensors(AP/ Minneapolis Star Tribune]
• [FCC] Google parent turns on internet balloons in Puerto Rico(National Post)

Press Releases and Decisions: Oct. 16-22, 2017

Senate of Canada

• [FREEDOM OF INFORMATION] Protection of Journalists’ Sources: Sen. Carignan’s Bill is Adopted

Canadian House of Commons – Heritage Committee

• Government response to the “Disruption: Change and Churning in Canada’s Media Landscape” Presented to the House: October 16, 2017

CRTC Decisions

• [BROADCASTING] October 16, 2017 – Gatineau, Quebec – Hearings took place to consider the broadcasting applications listed in Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-160View hearing documents (2017-160)
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-371: 8159203 Canada Limited – Mississauga, Ontario – APPROVED – Application to change the authorized contours of the English-language commercial AM radio station CKNT Mississauga by relocating the transmitter site
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2017-372: Rogers Media Inc. – Calgary, Banff and Invermere, Alberta – APPROVED – Application to renew the broadcasting licence for the commercial radio station CJAQ-FM Calgary, Alberta, and its transmitters CJAQ-FM-1 Banff and CJAQ-FM-2 – APPROVED – Application to amend the broadcasting licence for CJAQ-FM Calgary to delete the conditions of licence relating to the Oldies music format
• [PRIVACY] Compliance and Enforcement Decision CRTC 2017-367: Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation 3510395 Canada Inc., operating as Compu.Finder – Constitutional challenge to Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation – File number: PDR 9094-201400302-001
• [PRIVACY] Compliance and Enforcement Decision CRTC 2017-368: Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation 3510395 Canada Inc., operating as Compu.Finder – Violations of Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation – File number: PDR 9094-201400302-001
• [TELECOM] Telecom Decision CRTC 2017-370: Canadian Telecommunications Contribution Consortium Inc. – Request for designation of the administrator for the National Contribution Fund – File number: 8695-C211-201706350
• [BROADCASTING] Broadcasting Notice of Consultation CRTC 2017-365: Notice of hearing – 30 April 2018 – Gatineau, Quebec – Applications for the renewal of services with mandatory distribution on the basic service pursuant to section 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act – Deadline for submission of interventions/comments/answers: 16 November 2017
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-361: Streamlined Order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff application: Northwestel Inc TN 1001
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-362: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Forum for Research and Policy in Communications in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-200 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0293 and 4754-564
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-363: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of l’Union des consommateurs in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-200 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0293 and 4754-562
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-364: Determination of costs award with respect to the participation of the Coalition in the proceeding that led to Telecom Regulatory Policy 2017-200 – File numbers: 1011-NOC2016-0293 and 4754-556
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-366: Streamlined order – The Commission approves on a final basis the following tariff application: TELUS Communications Company TN 629 (TCQ)
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-369: Streamlined order – The Commission approves on an interim basis the following tariff applications: 9315-1884 Québec inc. TN 7; Sogetel inc. TN 182
• [TELECOM] Telecom Order CRTC 2017-373: Northwestel Inc. – Operation of Customer Owned Fibre Facility Service – File numbers: Tariff Notices 956, 956A, 956B, and 956C

Canadian Heritage

• [CULTURAL FUNDING] Creative Canada: Minister Joly Reiterates the Government’s Vision for the future of Canada’s Creative Industries at an Event in Halifax: 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

Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada

• [TELECOM POLICY] Gazette Notice SLPB-008-17: Extension to the reply comment period: Consultation on a Technical, Policy and Licensing Framework for Spectrum in the 600 MHz Band: The purpose of the present notice is to advise all interested parties that the deadline for submission of reply comments has been extended to November 3, 2017. All comments received will be posted on ISED’s Spectrum Management and Telecommunications Web site at http://www.ic.gc.ca/spectrum

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

• [ACCESS TO INFORMATION] Information and Privacy Commissioners across Canada call on governments to safeguard independent review of solicitor-client privilege claims

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada

• [PRIVACY] Appearance before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) on Bill C-21 An Act to Amend the Customs Act (entry-exit)

Copyright Board

• [COPYRIGHT] Notice of the Board: SODRAC Tariff 5 – Reproduction of Musical Works in Cinematographic Works for Private Use or for Theatrical Exhibition (2009‐2014, 2015, 2016)
• [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)

Microsoft

• Microsoft releases biannual digital trust reports
• Microsoft releases 2017 Corporate Social Responsibility Report
• [PRIVACY] US Supreme Court will hear petition to review Microsoft search warrant case while momentum to modernize the law continues in Congress

Upcoming Events: Oct. 23-29, 2017

Senate of Canada

• Planned and possible Senate sitting days this week: Oct. 24-27
• TRCM: Transport Communication – Study on the regulatory and technical issues related to the deployment of connected and automated vehicles: Oct. 24 & 25

Canadian House of Commons

• Planned House of Commons sitting days this week: Oct. 23-27
• 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. 23
• CHPC: Canadian Heritage – Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination: Oct. 23
• 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. 24
• CIIT: International Trade – Progressive Canadian Enterprises and SMEs through Electronic Commerce: Oct. 23
• SECU: Public Safety and National Security – Bill C-21, An Act to Amend the Customs Act: Oct. 24

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

• [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