ARCHIVED - Letter

Our Reference:  8643-C12-201105297

BY E-MAIL

To: Distribution List

Re: Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2011-206, Proceeding to review network interconnection matters (NoC 2011-206), as amended – Organization and conduct of the public hearing

Dear Madam/Sir:

The Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing in connection with the above-noted proceeding commencing on Monday, 24 October 2011 at the Conference Centre, Phase IV, Outaouais Room, 140 Promenade du Portage, in Gatineau, Quebec.

The purpose of this letter is to provide parties with information on the organization and conduct of the public hearing.

Sitting Schedule

The hearing will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, 24 October 2011. Phase I (opening presentations) is expected to last four days. Phase II (rebuttal phase) of the hearing will begin on Monday, 31 October 2011 and is expected to last two days.

The order of appearance of parties who filed written interventions with the Commission and indicated that they wish to make an oral presentation at the hearing is set out in the Schedule to this letter. For efficiency purposes, certain participants are to appear before the Commission as part of a panel during the hearing. All other persons interested in the proceeding and members of the public are invited to attend as audience members.

Participants are responsible for monitoring the progress of the hearing so that they are aware of any Commission directives and are ready to make their presentation on the day scheduled or, if necessary, the day before or after their scheduled date of appearance, depending on the progress of the hearing.  Please be advised that an audio link will be available throughout the hearing on the Commission’s website at www.crtc.gc.ca.

Transcripts

The Commission has made arrangements to provide stenography services for the hearing. Those who wish to obtain same-day or other services are to contact Steno Tran as soon as possible prior to the hearing to make arrangements.  The person requesting the service is responsible for the transaction and payment of such services.  Bill Curley from Steno Tran may be contacted at 613.521.0703 extension 105 or bill.curley@stenotran.com.  The transcripts will be posted daily on the Commission’s website.

Presentations

Phase I: Opening presentations

The maximum amount of time permitted for each participant’s opening presentation in Phase I of the public hearing is set out in the Schedule to this letter.

Opening presentations will be followed by questioning from members of the Commission panel.

Participants may make use of audio-visual aids in their presentations. Participants who wish to employ an audio-visual aid are to contact Cindy Ventura, Hearing Secretary, by e-mail at cindy.ventura@crtc.gc.ca (tel: 819-997-4547) by no later than 4 October 2011, since those participants will be required to make arrangements to rent technical equipment as required.

Phase II: Oral rebuttal argument

The maximum amount of time permitted for oral rebuttal arguments in Phase II of the public hearing is set out in the Schedule to this letter. During this phase, participants are to restrict their arguments to addressing the submissions of other participants, following which Commission panel members, and other participants with permission of the Chair, may ask questions. Participants will proceed in the order of appearance set out in the Schedule to this letter.

All parties who appeared in Phase I are expected to be present for the entirety of Phase II of the hearing. Participants may be called upon at any time during Phase II to answer questions from members of the Commission panel and, with the Chair’s permission, from other participants. 

Structure and approach of submissions

At a date closer to the hearing, the Commission may issue a letter with respect to the structure and approach of participants’ oral presentations.

Responsibility of the participants

Parties are required to bring with them all relevant documentation and knowledgeable personnel, including any relevant experts. An adverse inference may be drawn from the failure of a party to do so.

For ease of translation and transcription, and to assist the Commission panel members and Commission staff, participants are requested to bring 30 copies of their prepared remarks, any charts, tables, or graphics which participants intend to use during their presentation, as well as the seating plan of their presentation panel (view from the Commission panel). 

The Commission would appreciate if participants would provide an electronic version of their prepared remarks to the Court Reporter prior to, or at the conclusion of, their oral presentation.

Notification of attendance and further inquiries

In order to assist the Commission, participants must file the following via Access Key, providing a copy to Cindy Ventura, Hearing Secretary, via e-mail at cindy.ventura@crtc.gc.ca, by 4 October 2011:

• Confirmation that the party still wishes to appear at the hearing;
• the name, telephone number, and email address of the participant (or the participant’s representative) to be used to contact the participant immediately preceding and during the hearing, if necessary, to obtain information or to inform them of matters relating to the hearing;
  
• the names and titles of any representatives who will appear on behalf of the participant at the hearing; and
  
• the number of additional people associated with the participant who will be attending the hearing (for planning purposes)

Participants are reminded that, in accordance with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Rules of Practice and Procedure, only evidence in support of statements already on the record is admissible at the public hearing without the permission of the Commission.  Should a party intend to bring forward new evidence, including proposed exhibits or attachments to the oral presentation, they must notify the Hearing Secretary of their intention in advance of their oral presentation and must request permission to do so from the Commission at the beginning of their oral presentation.

With respect to any documents filed at the public hearing (such as exhibits, proposed exhibits, or responses to undertakings), 30 copies must be provided to the Hearing Secretary for the Commission’s use.

At the same time, copies of all such documents must be served on all other parties present at the public hearing on the date the document is filed.

Post-public hearing written submissions

In accordance with the procedure established in the notice of consultation, parties are reminded that they may file final written arguments with the Commission on any matter within the scope of this proceeding, serving copies on all other parties, by 14 November 2011. Final arguments, including an executive summary, are not to exceed 15 pages.

Sincerely,

Original signed by:

Robert A. Morin
Secretary General

Attach.

Schedule: Order of Appearance

*Note: The dates of appearance are estimates only, based on projected sitting times.

Date modified:

2011-09-23