Federal institution

Address

Web site

Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications
Commission (CRTC)

Les Terrasses de la ChaudièreCentral Building

1 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau, Quebec
J8X 4B1

www.crtc.gc.ca

Minister responsible

The Honourable James Moore

Senior officials responsible for implementation of Part VII of the OLA

Konrad Von Finckenstein, Chairman

Robert Morin, Secretary General

Renée Fairweather, Director General, Strategic Communications, Official Languages Champion

Mandate of the federal institution

The Canadian Radio-television and
Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)
was established by Parliament in 1968.
It is an independent public authority
constituted under the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act
(R.S.C. 1985, c. C-22, as amended), and it
reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.

The CRTC is vested with the authority to
regulate and supervise the Canadian
broadcasting and telecommunications systems.
The CRTC derives its regulatory authority over
broadcasting from the Broadcasting Act
(S.C. 1991, c. 11, as amended). Its
telecommunications regulatory
powers stem from the Telecommunications Act
(S.C. 1993, c. 38, as amended) and the
Bell Canada Act (S.C. 1987, c. 19, as amended).

National coordinator responsible for implementation of section 41

Annie Laflamme
Director, French Language TV Policy and Applications
CRTC
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N2
annie.laflamme@crtc.gc.ca

Sectoral coordinators

Lyne Cape
Manager, French Radio Operations and Policy
CRTC
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N2
lyne.cape@crtc.gc.ca

Peter Foster
Acting Director General CRTC
Television Policy and Applications
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N2
peter.foster@crtc.gc.ca

Mario Bertrand
Acting Director, Competition, Implementation and Technology
CRTC
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N2
mario.bertrand@crtc.gc.ca

Imen Arfaoui
Technical Analyst, Convergence Policy, Policy Development and Research
CRTC
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N2
imen.arfaoui@crtc.gc.ca

Expected results:

Creation of lasting changes in federal institution organizational culture; employees and management are aware of and understand their responsibilities regarding section 41 of the Official Languages Act and OLMCs.

Outputs

Progress made in achieving the expected result

Organization of interactive activities for Rendez-vous de la francophonie to promote linguistic duality.

Preparation and distribution of surveys

- In May 2008 and March 2009, Devinez qui Devinez quoi [guess who, guess what] was implemented jointly with the Official Languages Committee and the Diversity and Employment Equity Committee and involved the OL Champion, the Chairman and senior management at the CRTC; surveys distributed to participants (100 participants in 2008 and 200 in 2009) show a high satisfaction rate -100%; invitations, recognition certificates distributed to teams and draws for a one-day leave

- Very high degree of involvement by senior management, including the Chairman and Secretary General, supporting the OL Champion, the national coordinator and the sectoral coordinators in promoting linguistic duality and making all employees aware of the importance of using French and English, the OLA, section 41 objectives, and OLMCs.

- Very high degree of involvement by the OL Champion, the National Coordinator and sectoral coordinators in implementing these activities

Participation at the orientation fair for new employees

- In June 2008, the Official Languages Committee, with the support of the OL Champion and senior management, set up the official languages booth with an electronic presentation on the OLA, OLMCs, the Francophonie and linguistic duality; the OL booth won first prize for visual aspect

French Fridays

- Since October 2008, employees of the French and English TV sections have been participating in language exercises on French Fridays

- Good degree of awareness of the importance of linguistic duality

Information to the Commission and presentations on the objectives of section 41 and its implementation.

Following the presentations, a discussion and question period with the Commissioners and the Chairman to verify the level of understanding of OLMCs and section 41, in preparation for the public hearing concerning the Review of English- and French-language broadcasting services in English and French linguistic minority communities in Canada.

- Between June 2008 and February 2009, 15 presentations, including briefing sessions to the panel of the public hearing on services to OLMC as well as to the Commission in January 2009 by the national coordinator and the entire team working on the proceeding in preparation of the public hearing held on January 13 to review English- and French-language broadcasting services in Canada's OLMCs.

- January 19 2009, a decision by the Commission upon the Chairman's recommendation to implement lens 41 by developing a document analyzing the impact on OLMCs, a decision approved in February 2009 at the Commission meeting

- Increased degree of understanding on the part of the Chairman, Commissioners, senior management and employees concerning their obligations to OLMCs and section 41 of the OLA: 100% of Commissioners understand the issues concerning OLMCs and their responsibilities with respect to section 41 implementation

- Increased degree of commitment by the Chairman, Commissioners and senior management to introduce lasting change by making section 41 part of the organizational culture and by systemising impact analysis

Information gathering from the OLMCs to better identify their needs and

- Minutes from 2 meetings with the CRTC-OLMC discussion group in March 2008 in Halifax and in September 2008 in Quebec City, presenting information gathered from OLMCs describing their needs and concerns.

- Improved level in knowledge and understanding of all CRTC employees, including the national coordinator and sectoral coordinators, as well as legal services and Commissioners, including the Chairman, of the needs, priorities and challenges of OLMCs.

Development of an internal policy and guidelines on section 41 of the OLA

- Policy on Official languages including sections IV, V, VI and VII of OLA

- Copies of the policy distributed to the Committee on OL in March 2009 meeting. The policy will come into effect following management approval

- Very high level of support by the OL Champion, the national coordinator, management and legal services for introducing lasting change within the Commission by making the objectives of section 41 part of the organizational culture

- Increased level of awareness on the part of OL Committee members and senior management (including sectoral coordinators) of obligations under section 41

Publication of a report on English- and French-language broadcasting services in Canada's OLMCs in response to the order by the Governor in Council

- Report published on March 30, 2009 and recommendations formulated

- Improved levels of awareness by the Chairman, Commissioners and senior management of obligations pertaining to OLMCs and section 41

- In March 2009, 261 visits on http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/
backgrnd/language/
ol0903-lo0903.htm and 133 visits on http://www.crtc.gc.ca/fra/backgrnd
/language/ol0903-lo0903.htm

Expected results:

Creation of lasting relationships between the federal institution and OLMCs; federal institution and OLMCs understand each other's needs and mandates.

Activities Carried Out to Achieve Targeted Result

Outputs

Progress made in achieving the expected result

Organisation of meetings with OLMCs as part of the CRTC-OLMC discussion group created in 2007

Preparation of an evaluation sheet

Call for comments, including comments by OLMCs, for the review of English- and French-language broadcasting services in Canada's OLMCs

- In 2008, 2 meetings were held; in March in Halifax and in September in Quebec City

- Minutes, agendas, participant lists and schedule of relevant public proceedings distributed to 25 OLMC representatives, and evaluations demonstrating OLMCs level of satisfaction

- 60 e-mails exchanged in 2008 with members of the discussion group representing OLMCs

- Public hearings: 13 January 2009 on issues concerning OLMC; 11 of the 25 interveners represented OLMCs and 18 of the 52 interventions were filed by OLMCs

- - 100% participant satisfaction with the nature and quality of the discussion and the documents handed out.

- Great level of improvement in mutual dialogue at the third meeting with OLMCs in Quebec City

- Number of e-mail exchanges shows a high level of regular communication and cooperation between the CRTC and OLMCs.

- Excellent quality of relationships between the OLMCs and the CRTC because of the discussion group CRTC-OLMC.

- Improved level of collaboration between OLMC representatives

- High rate of participation and volume of interventions by OLMCs expressing their needs and priorities at CRTC public proceedings, and thus encouraging them to continue participating in proceedings affecting them

-Excellent quality of interventions by OLMC representatives reflecting the level of collaboration and synergy among themselves thanks to the discussion group CRTC-OLMC; OLMC representatives worked jointly to submit interventions

- Increased level of mutual understanding between OLMCs and CRTC

Participation in various meetings with OLMCs, coordinated by CRTC, Canadian Heritage and/or other departments and central and community agencies.

- Meeting: Alliance des producteurs francophones du Canada (APFC) AGM in December 2008.

- Meeting of a sectoral coordinator with the music working group, March 2009.

- Meeting of the national coordinator with the media arts working group, February 2009.

- - Better understanding of the issues and challenges facing OLMCs with respect to the music industry and television and film production

Expected results:

OLMC culture reflects a broad understanding of the federal institution's mandate; OLMCs receive up-to-date and relevant information about the federal institution's activities.

Activities Carried Out to Achieve Targeted Result

Outputs

Progress made in achieving the expected result

Write articles on section 41 for Bulletin 41-42

- 2 articles published in 2008, including one on the creation of the discussion group titled Promising dialogue between the CRTC and communities in Vol., No.1, Winter 2008; and another article on an activity to promote linguistic duality in Vol. 14, No. 3, Fall 2008, p.15 titled Devinez qui, Devinez quoi, available at http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/
lo-ol/blletin/vol14_no3/index-eng.cfm

- Federal institutions and CRTC-OLMC discussion group members have access to relevant information on CRTC initiatives involving OLMC and linguistic duality.

Preparation and distribution of a schedule of public proceedings relevant to OLMCs, in order to facilitate their participation in CRTC public proceedings

- Schedule of public proceedings relevant to OLMCs distributed to 25 OLMC representatives at discussion group meetings; 8 relevant proceedings identified

- 100% of OLMC discussion group members are better informed and receive relevant information on CRTC public proceedings that affect them.

Creation of an electronic information kit and manage the content of the Web page dedicated to OLMCs

Web page dedicated to OLMCs contains the 2008-2011 three-year action plan and annual reports on results for 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, as well as the schedule of public proceedings relevant to OLMCs, minutes of discussion group meetings and links to federal institutions, such as Canadian Heritage; the page is revamped on the new CRTC website http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/
/5000/lo_ol/ol-lo.htm

- Improved access by communities to pertinent and updated information on the web page dedicated to OL and OLMC. Between September 2008 and March 2009, 518 visits on http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/5000
/lo_ol/ol-lo.htm, 35 visits on hhttp://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/
BACKGRND/language/
plan2008.htm and 207 visits on http://www.crtc.gc.ca/fra/5000
/lo_ol/lo-ol.htm. From December to February 2009, data was not available for the French web page

CRTC resource persons identified to respond to inquiries from small groups including OLMCs; set up a toll-free line (1-866-781-1911); print business cards promoting this service

- A reference centre created for small broadcasters, within the CRTC, OLMC included.

- Toll-free line and business cards distributed to clients at meetings.

- Staff in this group takes an average of 70 calls per month, thus helping to foster the full recognition and use of French and English, as set out in section 41 of the OLA, and helping to inform many broadcasters of the issues of concern to OLMCs.

Publication of the 2008 Monitoring Report on the CRTC website containing data on broadcasting and telecommunications industry and markets

- Report published and link sent via email to members of the discussion group CRTC-OLMC on April 7 2009

- 100% of discussion group members aware of this report and can be better informed about the mandate and activities of the CRTC

Expected results:

Co-operation with multiple partners to enhance OLMC development and vitality and to share best practices.

Activities Carried Out to Achieve Targeted Result

Outputs

Progress made in achieving the expected result

Participation in meetings of national coordinators responsible for implementation of section 41 of the OLA

Launch of Rendez-vous de la francophonie

- 1 meeting of national coordinators in February 2009.

- 1 meeting on 4 December 2008 of the best practices workshops, attended by representatives of the OL Champion and the national coordinator

- Attendance of OL analyst at the launch ceremony on 6 March 2009

- Improved knowledge of the issues facing Francophone communities in the North; tools such as the Portal 41, federal action in the regions

- Greater networking, cooperation and sharing of best practices among partners to enhance the development and vitality of OLMCs

Cooperation with partners (Canadian Heritage, Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages)

- 1 meeting with Canadian Heritage in March 2008 and e-mails with Canadian Heritage's Interdepartmental Coordination team in 2009 concerning the action plan and the report on results

- Several meetings with the Office of the Commissioner: with the auditor to follow-up on the implementation of the recommendations as per the 2007 Audit report; with the personnel in charge of handling complaints

Improved level of discussion, cooperation and communication with partners

April 28 appearance by the national coordinator before the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages, 39th Parliament 2008, 2^nd Session.

Appearance by the Chairman of the CRTC; Michel Arpin, Vice-Chairman, Broadcasting; Scott Hutton, Executive Director, Broadcasting; and Steve Delaney, Director, Industry Analysis, before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in march 2009 to address the evolution of the television industry in Canada and its impact on local communities.

- Appearance and speech

- Better degree of knowledge of CRTC practices.

Expected results:

OLMCs are part of the federal institution's regular clientele and have adequate access to its programs and services; OLMC needs (e.g., in relation to geographic dispersion and development opportunities) are taken into account.

Activities Carried Out to Achieve Targeted Result

Outputs

Progress made in achieving the expected result

Not applicable. See section F

Expected results:

- Participation of OLMC in proceedings that have impact on them;

- Promoting access to official language minority broadcasting services.

- Encouraging broadcasting licensees' efforts with a view to increase production and broadcasting of regionally produced programs.

- Fostering full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society.

Activities Carried Out to Achieve Targeted Result

Outputs

Progress made in achieving the expected result

Identify policies that have an impact on OLMCs and foster the use of French and English, and when the policies are reviewed, ensure that they take section 41 into account.

Publish a notice of consultation to inform Canadians including OLMCs of public proceedings and thus maximize their participation in those public proceedings that have an impact on the communities with respect to:

- The issuance, renewal and amending of broadcasting licences;

- The development of new policies or the review of existing policies and other decisions; and

- Other decisions.

- Implementation in 2008 of a Community Radio Fund of Canada that supports the community and campus radio sector and can receive financial contributions for Canadian talent development from commercial radio stations

- Public Notice 2008-28 Addition of France 24 (English) and France 24 (French) to the lists of eligible satellite services for distribution on a digital basis

- Public Notice 2008-89 Call for comments on the proposed addition of LUXE.TV to the lists of eligible satellite services for distribution on a digital basis, approved in Public Notice 2008-115

- Decision 2008-312 Star Choice to comply with an order pursuant to section 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act (Distribution Order 2007-3) requiring the distribution of Réseau de l'information to all digital subscribers living in Anglophone markets

-Public Notice 2008-100, Regulatory frameworks for broadcasting distribution undertakings and discretionary programming services, paragraphs 85 and 86 and 335-384 addressing minority language access rules and local programming in smaller markets respectively

-Notice of Consultation 2008-101, Call for comments on a proposed regulatory framework for video-on-demand undertakings, paragraph 75

- Notice of Consultation 2008-103, Proposed conditions of licence for competitive Canadian specialty services operating in the genres of mainstream sports and mainstream national news, and 2008-101, Call for comments on a proposed regulatory framework for video-on-demand undertakings, paragraph 75

- Notice of Public Hearing 2008-11, 17 February 2009, Canadian Broadcasting in New Media, and appearances by OLMC representatives

- Notice of Public Hearing 2008-12, 13 January 2009, Review of English- and French-language broadcasting services in English and French minority communities in Canada, seeking comments from OLMCs and their representatives on issues that concern them; of a total of 52, 18 interventions were filed by OLMC representatives

- Notice of Consultation 2009-113,

Licence renewals for private conventional television stations, April 2009

-Notice of Consultation 2009-2 focusing on OLMC's radio needs in Ottawa-Gatineau region and the consideration of these needs in the evaluation of applications

-Notice of Consultation 2009-2-2, for the mandatory distribution on digital basic, pursuant to section 9(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act, of the national specialty programming undertakings known as The Weather Network and MétéoMédia.

-Notice of Consultation 2009-157

Application by Evanov Communications Inc., on behalf of a corporation to be incorporated, for a broadcasting licence to operate an English-language FM commercial radio programming undertaking in Québec.

- Improved levels of recognition and use of English and French in Canadian Society by adding France 24, an international news service with both English and French language versions, as well as the approval of LUXE TV a French-language service originating from Luxembourg to the lists of non-Canadian services eligible for distribution in Canada

- Increased access to broadcasting services in both official languages in Canada

- Improved access to broadcasting in OLMCs as amendments show that the Commission taking into account OLMC's interests

- CRTC proceedings take into account the concerns, needs and priorities of OLMCs, to a higher degree

- High number (35%) of interventions submitted by OLMCs in total of those received and excellent quality due to collaboration among members of the discussion group CRTC-OLMC expressing their needs and challenges, and number and quality of analysis documents, leading to a change in the organizational culture via better attitudes toward OLMCs among Commissioners, senior management and employees.

- Good level of participation by OLMC key representatives

- Increased access to broadcasting services to Canadians including OLMC

Creation, on December 2nd 2008 of a working group mandated to look at the digital transition in view of finding solutions aiming at maintaining access to programming for all Canadians including OLMC

- Working group

- Improved level of awareness of the impact of the 31 August 2011 over-the-air television transition to digital broadcasting on Canadians including OLMC

Study, by Brynaert, and Associates on the availability of radio, television, cable and high-speed Internet services for Canada's OLMCs

-Study, Sounds and Images, surveying services available to OLMCs, and quantitative analysis, titled Radio, Television and Cable Services in Official Languages Minority Communities.

- Very extensive knowledge of services available in OLMCs so that their needs can be given greater consideration

- Very high quality data was used to inform and raise awareness of about 25% of CRTC employees, including the Chairman, Commissioners and senior management, and all interveners at the 13 January public hearing on Canada's OLMCs.

- 100% of the people who read the studies gained a better understanding of the scope of services available to OLMCs.

Expected results:

Full integration of the OLMC perspective and section 41 of the OLA into the federal institution's policies, and activities; the reporting structure, internal evaluations and policy reviews determine how to better integrate OLMCs' perspective.

Activities Carried Out to Achieve Targeted Result

Outputs

Progress made in achieving the expected result

- Annual submission of an annual report on results detailing how the CRTC fulfils its responsibilities under section 41 of the OLA

- Development of lens 41 (impact analysis)

- Integration of activities related to section 41 of the OLA into the RPP and the achievements into the DPR and into the CRTC three-year plan

- Report on results submitted; takes into account OLMC perspective, as expressed at discussion group meetings

- Lens 41

- Sections on OL in the CRTC's reports: Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP), Departmental Performance Report (DPR), CRTC's three-year plan.

- Increased level of understanding by CRTC management and employees of their obligations under section 41 of the OLA

- Trigger of lasting change in attitude and organizational culture, resulting in an impact analysis and in taking OLMC needs into account

- High degree of compliance by the CRTC with the requirements