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CRTC
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
1997-2000

 

  A Job Well Done:
          Vision 1997-2000

 

Ambitious. Progressive. Optimistic. Our first strategic plan, From Vision to Results 1997-2000, was all this and more. Through hard work and public input, we put our communications industry, and the Commission itself, on a solid footing for the new century, winning national and international recognition in the process. Here's how:

        Broadcasting:

                                                                                                             
 Canadian voices at home and abroad, a solid foundation for the digital world

We set out to encourage the development and distribution of programming that reflects the linguistic duality, cultural diversity and social values of Canada while broadening choices for Canadians. So we overhauled key broadcast content policies, licensed a number of new services, embraced the promise of digital technology, which will accelerate the development of a competitive market and increase capacity so that consumers may be offered a wider choice of both Canadian and foreign services, and presided over important ownership transactions to strengthen our domestic industry. Some highlights:

Building on past success with new regulatory policies

  • A revitalised TV Policy means more diversity and choice for viewers, flexibility for broadcasters and more opportunities for independent producers. It simplifies existing requirements, introduces guidelines designed to stimulate Canadian production, encourages a range of "priority" Canadian programming in peak viewing periods and the development of a home-grown "star system", and promotes foreign sales. Recognizing the changed structure of the industry with the emergence of multi-station ownership groups, the Commission will henceforth consider the licence renewals of all stations owned by the same corporate entity at the same time, allowing the owner to submit a comprehensive strategic plan for all of its stations. [Public Notice CRTC 1999-97, June 11, 1999]
  • Our new policy for multicultural and ethnic broadcasting keeps the best features of the 1985 Ethnic Policy, which contributed so much to the diversity of the Canadian broadcasting system, but removes outdated regulatory distinctions. It also makes it easier for mainstream stations to produce ethnic programming in either French or English if they wish to do so.  [Public Notice CRTC 1999-117, July 16, 1999]
  • Our policy for commercial radio set the stage for a financially stronger radio industry by updating the rules on multi-station ownership in a single market. The new policy also increased support for Canadian artists by raising the level of Canadian musical content and encouraging more collaboration between the broadcasting and music industries through such initiatives as an annual awards program, promotional activities, and a virtual music store. [Public Notice CRTC 1998-41, April 30,1998]
  • Campus and community radio stations are important for providing alternatives to conventional broadcasting, for innovation and for their track record in nurturing Canadian talent. Our new policies for such stations provide simple and effective mechanisms to ensure that they continue to do so. They also introduce a streamlined approach for the licensing of low-power "developmental" stations that serve as training grounds and may later emerge as full-fledged, higher power stations. [Public Notices CRTC 2000-12 and 13, January 28, 2000]
  • A revised regulatory framework for the distribution of broadcasting services promoted competition with cable, through such technologies as satellite and microwave distribution, so that Canadians will have choices in providers, packages and prices of broadcasting services as they do with long distance telephony. Among many other things, the framework set conditions for the deregulation of cable rates and access by competitors to cable facilities, in order that consumers have the full benefits of competition. It also contained a new funding mechanism whereby cable systems, direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distributors, and "wireless" services must contribute 5% of their gross revenues from broadcasting activities to support the creation of distinctive Canadian programming. [Public Notice CRTC 1997-150, December 22, 1997]

Greater francophone visibility in Canada

  • Viewers across Canada now have access to more French-language programming with the nation-wide distribution of the French- language television service of the TVA Network. [Decision CRTC 98-488, October 29, 1998]
  • Four new French-language specialty channels, launched in January 2000, are helping to rebalance the line-up of French-language specialty services in relation to those in English. Canal Z, Canal Histoire, Canal Évasion and Canal Fiction offer programs on science and technology; ancient and modern history; travel, tourism and adventure and drama, and are available as a stand-alone package or in combination with existing packages at a reasonable price. [Decisions CRTC 99-109 to 113, May 21, 1999]
  • We embarked on a review of access rules for the carriage of Canadian pay and specialty services and are attempting to develop a definition for bilingual markets to better respond to subscribers' expectations in markets where Francophones or Anglophones form a significant, though not predominant, portion of the population. [Public Notices CRTC 1999-74, May 5, 1999, and 2000-38, March 10, 2000]

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Recognising the special place of Aboriginal Peoples in our society

  • The Commission licensed the world's first service devoted to Aboriginal peoples for nation-wide distribution. Now, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities alike have access to programming by and about Aboriginal peoples from all regions of Canada, in English, French and up to 15 Aboriginal languages. [Decision CRTC 99-42, February 22, 1999]

Embracing digital technology

  • In 1997, the Commission granted five licences for Video-On-Demand (VOD) services, including three bilingual services. VOD subscribers have access to a vast digital library of programs, mostly movies, and the ability to choose when to watch. [Public Notice CRTC 1997-83 and Decisions CRTC 97-283 to 287, July 2, 1997]
  • We approved applications from AM and FM radio stations in Toronto, Windsor, Vancouver, Montreal and Laval for licences to implement transitional digital radio undertakings. Digital radio allows CD quality sound and is expected to improve over time. [Decisions CRTC 98-490 to 492, November 3, 1998; 99-547, December 20, 1999; 2000-12 to 16, January 18, 2000; 2000-41, February 11, 2000; and 2000-82, March 22, 2000]
  • Our licensing framework for new digital specialty and pay television services has initiated a public process that will see the launch of new channels by the end of this year. More than 450 proposals for services dedicated to anything imaginable (auctions, books, railroads, suspense, parenting, computer technology, news, celebrities, kids' comedy, adult programming, video games, documentaries, auctions, wildlife, yoga and on and on) will be considered at a public hearing set for August 2000. [Public Notices CRTC 2000-6, January 13, 2000; 2000-17, February 5, 2000; and 2000-22, April 11, 2000]

Mergers, acquisitions and consolidations for a strong and competitive industry

  • A number of decisions meant the reshaping and consolidation of several key industry participants and the injection of millions of dollars into the Canadian broadcasting system. Some examples: the transfer of control of Télévision Quatre-Saisons (TQS) to a consortium that included Québecor, a new player in the Canadian broadcasting community [Decision CRTC 97-482, August 22, 1997]; the transfer of control of CTV, Canada's only English-language private television network, to Baton Broadcasting Incorporated [Decision CRTC 97-527, August 28,1997]; the merger of Cancom and StarChoice, two satellite relay distribution undertakings (SRDU) and Star Choice's direct-to-home (DTH) undertaking; [Decision CRTC 99-169, July 9, 1999]; CTV's acquisition of a controlling interest in NetStar [Decision CRTC 2000-86, March 24, 2000].

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The national public broadcaster

  • Following 11 town-hall meetings across Canada and a three-week public hearing, the Commission renewed all the broadcasting licences of the CBC and Radio-Canada, setting out priorities for the national public broadcaster in the next seven years. Given CBC/Radio-Canada's unique and vital role, we advocated a shift in focus, strengthened basic services and more balanced prime time television programming schedules, so that the national public broadcasting services would better reflect the reality of the entire country and respond more effectively to the needs and interests of all its audiences. [Public Notice 2000-1 and Decisions CRTC 2000-1, 2, 3, January 6, 2000]

Convergence issues and new media

The term "convergence" refers to the use of digital technology for the exchange of information, whereby new, interactive services and products combine voice, data, text and/or image. It also applies to the availability of conventional communications services on the Internet and to organizations operating across previously distinct boundaries, for example, cable companies in the telephone and Internet businesses and telephone companies taking on broadcasting activities. Convergence has had a major impact not only on the industries under our jurisdiction, but on the lives of all Canadians. As federal communications regulator, we have had to consider its effects and adapt accordingly.

  • In the context of its 1997 policy statement on local telephone competition, the Commission gave the green light to telephone companies wishing to apply for broadcasting distribution licences. The following year, it approved the first such application from NBTel, which was authorized to go head-to-head with the cable company in the cities of Saint John and Moncton, New Brunswick. [Public Notice CRTC 1997-49, May 1, 1997; Decision CRTC 98-194 or Telecom Decision CRTC 98-7, June 23, 1998]
  • With its 1999 Report on New Media, the Commission became one of the first communications regulators in the world to clarify its position on the Internet. After a hearing that attracted an unprecedented variety of submissions and presentations, and included an on-line forum, the Commission concluded that the new media complements rather than substitutes traditional broadcasting and, therefore, can be exempt from regulation. Both the Federal and Provincial governments have initiatives in place to support Canadian content on the Internet and Canadian laws, industry self-regulation, content filtering software as well as increased media awareness are appropriate tools to deal with offensive and illegal content on the Internet. [Public Notice CRTC 1999-84 or Telecom Public Notice CRTC 99-14, May 17, 1999]
  • To promote competition in the interests of consumers, the Commission required the cable industry, like the telephone companies, to open up information highway access to their competitors, thereby fostering competitive prices and better access to high-speed services for Canadians. [Telecom Decision CRTC 99-11, September14, 1999]

4

        Telecommunications:

                                                                                                  
 A broad range of services, competitive communications industries, essential services at reasonable cost

Competition issues topped our agenda for telecommunications, including a new regulatory framework to ensure a smoother transition from a monopoly environment to a competitive marketplace, while setting the stage for the introduction of a broad range of products and services.

  • Further to extensive public proceedings, a series of major decisions established a framework to support the development of a competitive market in local telecommunications, while addressing the policy objective of affordable local telephone service and maintaining consumer safeguards. The decision on local competition established the framework for facilities-based entry by new local service providers into the local telephone market to give subscribers a choice of service suppliers and new service options. The decision also required the established telephone companies to resell their local residential services to companies wishing to compete in this area. The price cap decision imposed a new method of regulation on the established telephone companies, a formula designed to protect the consumer from excessive local service rate increases by placing a cap, based on the rate of inflation, on such increases. Price caps also provide telephone companies with the incentive to reduce costs and improve services, while allowing greater competition in local telephone services. [Local Competition Decision, Telecom Decision CRTC 97-8, May 1, 1997, Price Cap Regulation and Related Issues, Telecom Decision CRTC 97-9, May 1, 1997]
  • The Commission is monitoring the roll-out of competition, continuing to regulate areas where market forces were not achieving public interest objectives. In its landmark decision on telephone service in high-cost areas, it imposed service quality standards on the phone companies and established criteria to make sure that pay telephone services respond better to the needs of disabled people. And to ensure all Canadians enjoy access to quality services at affordable prices, the Commission introduced a new definition of basic telephone service that includes access to the Internet. [Telecom Decision CRTC 99-16 and Telecom Public Notice CRTC 99-21, October 19, 1999]
  • The Commission's final decision on unbundled service rates further facilitated the entry of new local service providers into the local telephone market by setting the rates to be charged when incumbent local telephone companies make individual essential facilities – like 911 and Message Relay – available for other local service providers. Access to these unbundled components means more choice for consumers. [Telecom Decision CRTC 98-22, November 30, 1998]
  • The Commission opened the door to competition in the public pay telephone market to stimulate service innovation. The rates charged by new entrants are not regulated as market forces should be sufficient to ensure they are reasonable, but new entrants have to meet specific consumer safeguards before they access this market. [Telecom Decision CRTC 98-8, June 30, 1998]

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  • The Commission extended the benefits of the competitive framework to consumers in areas served by independent telephone companies in Ontario and Quebec by removing barriers to long distance competition in these areas. Most independents were also directed to bring local rates to levels that are comparable to communities served by telephone companies in the surrounding area. Local subscribers will see some service improvements, such as extended-area calling and elimination of mileage charges. [Telecom Decision 99-5, April 21, 1999]
  • All telephone companies, including wireless telephone companies, were ordered to provide improved services to accommodate the visually impaired. [Telecom Order CRTC 98-626, June 26, 1998]
  • Canada's international telecommunications services market was opened to full competition with the establishment of a framework for competition in Canada in the market for international services. The licensing regime prohibits providers of basic international services from engaging in anti-competitive conduct relative to the provision of international telecommunications services. This ensures that foreign monopolies cannot use their dominance in their home markets to gain unfair advantage in the Canadian market, while keeping barriers to entry for new service providers to a minimum. [Telecom Decision CRTC 98-17, October 1, 1998]
  • The Commission also eliminated all remaining routing restrictions for Canadian traffic, allowing carriers to route calls through the United States for Canada-Canada calls and Canada-overseas calls. This means more cost-effective routes for competitors, lower costs and more services for consumers. [Telecom Decision CRTC 98-17, October 1, 1998]
  • Teleglobe Canada is no longer required to obtain approval for rates charged for its long distance services within Canada and between locations in Canada and the United States or for GlobeaccessTel, a service that allows customers to connect with Teleglobe's international network so that they can provide an outgoing direct dial telephone service. [Telecom Decisions CRTC 98-17, October 1, 1998 and 99-14, September 28, 1999]
  • The Commission refrained from regulating Telesat Canada's fees for fixed satellite services as of March 1, 2000 but implemented a price ceiling in the interests of broadcasters and telecommunications providers that may not have access to adequate competitive choice. [Decision Telecom CRTC 99-6, May 25, 1999]

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        Good Governance:

                                                                                                                                                                              
Credibility, efficiency and trust

Good Governance ensures effective decision-making and transparent, inclusive, efficient and timely operations using due process. It is also an ongoing effort to find ways to become more effective and efficient in serving the public and in meeting public interest objectives. In the last three years, we've worked on enhancing the public process by ensuring effective citizen engagement and pursuing a productive dialogue with many partners. Some examples:

  • Consolidation of the broadcasting and telecommunications client services functions at headquarters to facilitate convergence and to provide a single point of contact for the public.
  • A nation-wide toll-free telephone line that enables the public to contact the Commission to obtain information, share their views or ask us to investigate specific complaints (1877249CRTC/2782).
  • New offices in Regina and Edmonton.
  • 42 public hearings held from 1997-2000, as well as 24 public consultations.
  • Biannual meetings with consumer groups.
  • More electronic exchange of documents to reduce the paper burden and provide faster service to clients, including electronic application forms.
  • A revamped Web site - including all our releases, lists of registered carriers, Frequently Asked Questions, job opportunities, reports and statistics – provides instant access to documents.
  • CRTC information sessions for the public, a corporate video, available to the public and a quarterly newsletter, News Edge, distributed to diverse clienteles.
  • Establishment of an international regulatory forum in which the Commission took a lead role.
  • The CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC), an assembly of CRTC representatives, industry players, the general public, and public interest and consumer groups dealing with telecommunications matters. CISC and its working groups have been successful in resolving many complex technical and administrative issues, on a timely basis, by getting the parties together and discussing them in an open forum. Industry participants strongly support the CISC approach as an alternative to formal dispute resolution.

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Summing up

In short, whether we're talking about competition or industry restructuring, the range of services available to Canadians, the explosive growth of new media and digital technology, or the role of the CRTC itself, the last three years were dominated by processes of intensive examination and redevelopment. The next three years will see more action based on these achievements, in a context of ongoing change.

More…

These are just highlights of the many things achieved by Vision 1997. A complete list of accomplishments is appended to this document. This list and the action plan 2000-2003 are available on request by calling 1-877-249-2782 or on our Web site (www.crtc.gc.ca) under Publications.

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        Canada's Voices – Broadcasting

                                                                            
Presence and diversity of Canadian voices at home and abroad

 

Accomplishments by Strategy
1997 - 2000

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
Strategy 1:
Create and implement policies on content display and expenditures that recognize economic and cultural objectives

Review of the regulatory policy landscape

  • Licensing digital framework for pay and specialty services
Decision, January 2000
  • CBC-SRC licence renewals
Decision, January 2000
  • Campus and community radio policies
Decisions, January 2000
  • Revised ethnic broadcasting policy
Decision, July 1999
  • New Canadian television policy framework
Decision, June 1999
  • Review of infomercial policy
Included in new television policy, extended to pay and specialty services, June 1999
  • Commercial radio policy
Decision, April 1998
  • Local Management Agreements for radio stations
Public notice, December 1999
  • Internal review of future rights

Major licensing initiatives

  • Licensing of four French specialty channels
Decision, May 1999
  • Licensing of Aboriginal Peoples Television Network, the first indigenous network in the world
Decision, April 1999

___________________________________________________________________________

  • Postponed/outstanding                             • Completed                         o On-going and/or in progress

 

 

Status/Accomplishments

Date/Comments

  • Expanded access of French-language programming with the national distribution of the TVA network
Decision, October 1998
  • Report to the Government of Canada on additional national television network
Decision, February 1998
  • Report to the Government on national French-language cultural TV network
Report, November 1999; applications, March 2000; public hearing, June 2000; decision expected in fall 2000
  • Licensing of new digital pay and specialty TV services for digital distribution
Public hearing, August 2000; decision expected in fall 2000

Regulatory efficiency

  • Exemption from licensing for small undertakings and Type A native stations
Call for comments, April 1998; forthcoming decision

Ownership/control/transfers

  • Corus/Power acquisition
Decision, March 2000
  • CTV/TSN (NetStar)
Decision, March 2000
  • WIC corporate reorganization
February 2000
  • Cancom/Star Choice reorganization
February 2000
  • Astral purchase of Radiomutuel
Decision, January 2000
  • CHUM/Rawlco acquisition (Ottawa station)
Decision, October 1999
  • Okanagan ownership transfer to Télémédia
Decision, October 1999
  • Alliance Atlantis/Sportscope acquisition
Decision, October 1999
  • Télémédia acquisition of broadcasting companies in New Brunswick (Radio Atlantic)
Decision, October 1999
  • Rogers purchase of Rawlco (Toronto, Calgary) and others
Decision, August 1999
  • Alliance/Atlantis merger
Decision, June 1999
  • Rogers/CHEZ-FM acquisition
Decision, May 1999
  • Télébec/Télécâble Blouin and Électro-Vision acquisition
Decision, April 1999
  • Baton acquisition of Electrohome Television stations
Decision, August 1997
  • Baton (now CTV) CHUM assets exchange
Decision, August 1997
  • CFCF – Vidéotron consolidation
Decision, February 1997
  • Shaw purchase of WIC shares
Public hearing, April 2000
..and many more   

Research

  • Economic analysis of markets and applications to support the decision making process
  • Background research to support licensing and policy proceedings and the monitoring of policy implementation

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
Strategy 2:
Develop mechanisms to encourage the creation and promotion of Canadian content in traditional and new media

Canadian content and talent development

  • Review of Canadian television programming, as part of new Canadian television policy
Decision, June 1999
  • Canadian talent development policy
Decision, April 1997
  • Review of Canadian content requirements (music) for radio (commercial, campus and community)
Community and campus, January 2000; regulations to be revised, fall 2000; commercial radio, April 1998; regulations, December 1998
  • Canadian music and promotion fund
From commercial radio policy, summer 2000
  • Recognition for Canadian programs
March 2000

New services and internet

  • New media decision
Public notice, May 1999
  • Licensed digital radio
Decision, November 1998
  • Licensed five video on demand services
Decision, July 1997
Strategy 3:
Ensure that Canadian and foreign services have adequate access to distribution

Review of the regulatory landscape

  • Access to inside wire
Decision, September 1999
  • Clarification of rules for launch of specialty services and streamlining of dispute resolution process
Decision, August 1999
  • Amendments to Broadcasting Distribution Regulations regarding basic service fees for specialty services newly charged to subscribers
Public notice, July 1999
  • Amendments to Broadcasting Distribution Regulations regulating alternative and curtailment of broadcast signals
Public notice, November 1999

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
  • Competitive issues related to anti-competitive practices (Winback)
Decision in 1999 (see Choices)
  • New regulatory framework for broadcast distribution undertakings (BDUs)
Implemented in 1998
  • Access rules issued (part of new BDU regulations)
Implemented in 1998
  • Definition of bilingual markets (review of access rules)
Call for comments, May 1999; Order in Council, decision, fall 2000

Licensing

  • Telecommunications entry – licensing of NB Tel
June 1998
  • New Wireline competitors such as VDN Private Cable Inc.
Decision, August 1997
  • Licensing of multi-point distribution system (MDS) and new satellite distribution services (DTH)
MDS, December 1996; ExpressVu (now Bell ExpressVu), August 1996; Star Choice, August 1996; Homestar, January 1997

Ownership/transfer/consolidations

  • Shaw purchase of Access and Fundy (N.B.)
Decision, September 1999
  • Cancom/Star Choice
Decision, July 1999
Strategy 4:
Support the distinctive role of public broadcasting
  • CBC-SRC licence renewals
Decision, January 2000
  • Campus and community radio policies
Decisions, January 2000
Strategy 5:
Foster industry self-regulation, where appropriate, to respond to social issues
  • Alcohol education messages and code revisions
Public notice, August 1999
  • Approval of the Action Group on Violence on Television (AGVOT) programming rating system and on-screen rating
Rates violence in programming, June 1997; implemented, October 1997

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
  • Requests for on-going reports on V-chip and implementation of ratings information
Strategy 6:
Use a comprehensive international approach
  • Work with other domestic regulators in international fora
International Institute of Communications fora; International Regulatory Forum
  • Cooperation agreements signed with three countries
France, Belgium, Australia
  • Study of North American rights
Outstanding

 

 

 

        Choices for Canadians – Telecommunications

                          
A wide array of choices for Canadians through strong,
competitive communications industries

 

Accomplishments by Strategy
1997 - 2000

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
Strategy 1:
Rely more on market forces to permit fair and sustainable competition

Facilitate competition for independent telephone companies

  • Québec-Téléphone/Télébec rate rebalancing/price cap implementation date
Decision, December 1999
  • Review of contribution regime
Decision, April 1999
  • Review of cost capital
Process initiated, October 1999
  • Review of 25% contribution plans
Filings, March 2000
  • Service improvement plans
Filings, March 2000
  • Terms and conditions under which to introduce long distance competition in O.N. Tel's territory
Public notice, July 2000

Local competition

  • Unbundling service rates for local competitors
Decision, November 1998
  • Competition in local pay telephones
Decision, June 1998
  • Approval of inter-carrier tariffs and agreements of the first competitive local exchange carrier/incumbent local exchange carrier (CLEC/ILEC) in December 1997
Currently, 34 companies are close to meeting the require-ments; 12 new competitors (CLECs) are now operating
  • Monitoring local competition

___________________________________________________________________________

  • Postponed/outstanding                             • Completed                         o On-going and/or in progress

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
  • CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC) – problem-solving industry working group to implement local competition (including decisions on inside wiring, co-location, etc.)
Approximately 35 decisions have been issued since 1997

Implementation of price cap regimes for incumbent telephone companies

  • Master agreement for interconnection between local exchange carriers
Decision, January 2000
  • TCEI (now part of Telus)
Effective, 1 January 1999
  • Eight former Stentor-members
Effective, 1 January 1998
  • Québec-Téléphone/Télébec
Effective, 1 January 2002
  • Review of price caps (including SaskTel)
Initiate process, fall 2000
  • Price caps filings
March 2000

Other major competition issues

  • Local number portability costs and local competition start-up costs
February 2000
  • Access to inside wiring – Code of conduct approved between telecommunications carriers and multi-unit building owners and managers
Decision, September 1999
  • Location of demarcation point (in buildings)
Decision, August 1999
  • New policy framework for all broadcast distribution undertakings
New Broadcasting Distribution Regulations, January 1998
  • Review of interconnection policies
Initiated process, December 1999
  • Competitive carrier access to incumbent telcos' central offices through co-location
Decision, June 1997
  • Transitional regulatory framework for SaskTel (30 June 2000 to 31 December 2001)
Decision, May 2000
  • Terms and conditions to implement long distance competition in Northwestel's territory
Decision, Fall 2000
  • Carrier access to rights of way – Ledcor vs City of Vancouver

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments

Contribution related issues

  • Changes to local service costing bands
Initiated process, February 2000
  • Review of frozen contribution rate policy
Decision, December 1999
  • International contribution task force report
Decision, December 1999
  • Review of contribution regime of independents
Decision, April 1999
  • Review of contribution collection mechanisms
Target release date, January 2001
  • Establish carrier access tariffs for various independents for years 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000
1999-2000 (1997 and 1998 are completed)
  • Resolve competitive disputes regarding bypass of contribution
Case-by-case basis

Forbearance from regulation

  • Forbearance from regulating retail level internet services offered by carriers
Decision, July 1998
  • Forbearance of toll and 800/888 services offered by (former) Stentor-member companies and Sogetel
Decision, December 1997
  • Forbearance of Interexchange Private Line (IXPL) services provided by (former) Stentor companies
Decision, December 1997
  • Forbearance from regulating retail rates for telecommunication services that competitive local exchange carriers offer
Local competition decision, May 1997
  • Forbearance of certain competitive network services offered by Northwestel and Ontario Northland Communications
Decisions, April-May 1997
  • Disposal of tariff items (not including above)
  • Interconnection tariffs for local competitors
Decisions, November 1998
  • CLECs' inter-carrier operating tariffs
12 completed as of April 2000
  • CLEC 911 tariffs

Implementation of WTO decisions and new statutory responsibilities

  • Forbearance for Telesat fixed satellite services
Decision, May 1999
  • Licensing framework for international telecommunications service providers
Decision, October 1998; 150 licences have been issued for a period of 5 years
  • Elimination of traffic routing restrictions for Canadian traffic
Decision, October 1998

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
  • Partial deregulation of Teleglobe
Decision, October 1998
  • Central Fund Administration establishment (subsidy fund)
1997
  • Licensees are required to file quarterly reports
  • Monitoring of Central Fund Administration reports
  • Administration of phone numbers
  • Policing international anti-competitive issues
Licensing regime established in decision, October 1998
Strategy 2:
Monitor competition and regulate when market forces are not achieving public interest objectives

Consumer issues and public interest

  • Standards for quality of service indicators
Decision, January 2000
  • Improved telephone service in high cost areas (including basic level of telephone service)
Decision, October 1999
  • Payphones for persons with disabilities and visually impaired people
Standards to be developed by Canadian Standards Association in Order of November 1998 and for all payphone providers to improve payphones for visually impaired
  • Monitoring of quality of service reports submitted by incumbent telephone companies
Decision, July 1997
  • Implementation of a program to monitor the affordability of basic telephone services
Decision, 1997
  • 911 wireless
Market trial underway in Calgary; report released, May 2000
  • North American Numbering Plan (area code 604 exhaust)
Call for comments, April 2000

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
Strategy 3:
Support evolving convergence

Convergence and new media

  • Internet Service Providers (ISP) resale of cable carriers' internet services at 25% discounts (as proxy for ISP access to high-speed facilities)
Decision, July 1999
  • No regulation of the internet – New media decision
Public notice, May 1999
  • ISP access to cable carriers' high speed facilities
Decision, July 1998
  • NB Tel to enter broadcasting distribution market
Licensing of NB Tel as a broadcasting distribution undertaking, June 1998
  • Telephone companies to operate as broadcasting distribution undertakings
Decision, May 1997; effective 1 January 1998
  • Market trials for Bell Canada and Telus Multimedia
1996-97
Strategy 4:
Monitor the evolution of industry structure
  • Monitor on-going compliance with the foreign ownership and control requirements under the Telecommunications Act
Review of compliance pursuant to a Bell Canada application under Part VII
  • QuébecTel Alizé Inc.
Decision, November 1999
  • MK Telecom, BCT.Telus, AT&T Canada, Call-Net, Teleglobe Inc. and Rogers Cantel
On-going review of compliance with the foreign ownership and control requirements

 

 

 

        Good Governance – Convergence
                                                  
Public process, openness, fairness, effectiveness and trust

 

Accomplishments by Strategy
1997 - 2000

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
Strategy 1:
Implement a more proactive and flexible approach to public processes including increased public participation in an evolving competitive environment

Increased public participation

  • Easier access to the Commission with the 1-877 toll-free telephone number in place
1997
  • Workshops and regional public consultations across Canada
Public consultations held in:
1997-98 – 1
1998-99 – 5
Public hearings held in:
1997-98 – 18
1998-99 – 12
1999-2000 –12
  • CRTC 101 seminars
Since October 1999
  • Roundtables with consumer groups
Twice a year
Strategy 2:
Develop a strategic communications approach

Better communications with the public

  • New and updated communication tools
         - Web site revamped
         - Corporate video
         - Creation of a newsletter and new brochures

Search engine replaced in 1999
Video released, June 1999
Newsletter, 3 times a year

___________________________________________________________________________

  • Postponed/outstanding                             • Completed                         o On-going and/or in progress

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
  • Internal reorganization to establish a "single point of contact"
June 1999 restructuring provides public with one point for all applications, complaints, inquiries, and one exit point for decisions, public notices, orders
  • Documentation centres opened in Toronto, Regina and Edmonton
  • Established better services to the media, Parliament and Government
Strategy 3:
Enhance information for decision-making

Policy research

  • Studies, regulatory research and interactive forum for new media
Strategy 4:
Increase CRTC referee role in the resolution of disputes

Dispute resolution process

Development of dispute resolution process and framework
Enhancements in dispute resolution skills through training
Strategy 5:
Proactively pursue a dialogue with other organizations
  • Increased dialogue with other federal agencies and departments
  • Development of a bilateral relationship with the FCC (the U.S. regulatory agency)
  • International dialogue at International Institute of Communications fora and International Regulatory Forum

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
Strategy 6:
Promote professional excellence and effective working relationships within the Commission

Human resources strategy implemented

  • Staff exchange with industry
2 staff members participated in Canadian Women in Communications (CWC) exchange in 1999
  • Implementation of Universal Classification Standard (UCS)
On-going
Strategy 7:
Foster quality management practices and processes which are results oriented, cost-effective and timely, and with a focus on client service

Processes and rules – harmonized and more simple

  • Creation of the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee (CISC)
Established in 1996
  • Review of application forms for TV, community and campus radio
  • Harmonization of practices/processes as applicable between telecom and broadcasting (decisions, etc.)
New practices and processes are being put in place, step-by-step
  • Review of rules of procedures for broadcasting and telecommunications
New practices and processes are being put in place, step-by-step

Strategic planning and performance measurement

  • Review and audits
Y2K audit, March 1999
  • Expenditure and accountability documents to Parliament and Treasury Board
Performance reports, Plans and Priorities, Business Plans and 1999 Treasury Board submission for additional resources
  • Performance measurement and service standards

Funding structure of CRTC fees monitored

  • Cost recovery plan
June 1999
  • Consultations with fee payers
Two consultations held, August 1999

 

 

Status/Accomplishments Date/Comments
  • Telecom Fees Regulation amendments
  • Examine potential for cost awards for public groups – broadcasting

Processes and new management practices

  • New budget process
Spring 1999
  • Testing the Commission's exposure to the Year 2000 issue
  • Electronic filings processes and practices in telecommunications and broadcasting
  • Implementation of the Financial Information Strategy by the year 2001

 

                                
 Published: June 2000

[français]

 

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