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CRTC Three-Year Plan 2012-2015


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Introduction

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulates and supervises Canada’s communication system in accordance with the mandate entrusted to it by Parliament, including achieving the policy objectives established in the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act. The CRTC also has responsibilities under Canada’s anti-spam legislation, which addresses the sending of commercial electronic messages (e.g., spam), among other things.

The CRTC delivers its mandate from offices in the National Capital Region and regional offices throughout Canada, with participation from both National and Regional Commissioners and staff.

The CRTC’s Three-Year Plan summarizes the key activities it expects to carry out through the period ending March 31, 2015 to implement its mandate. This document is intended to provide Canadians with information on the CRTC’s plans in order to help them prepare and participate in its activities.

Guided by its legislative mandate, the CRTC seeks to ensure that Canadians have access to a world-class communication system. This overarching objective is supported by three pillars:

  1. Create - The CRTC’s activities under this pillar ensure that Canadians have access to compelling creative content, from diverse sources, on a variety of platforms. In particular, the CRTC encourages the creation of programming that reflects Canada’s diversity and enables Canadians to participate in their country’s democratic and cultural life.

  2. Connect - The CRTC’s activities under this pillar ensure that Canadians can connect to quality and innovative communication services at affordable prices and can have access to creative content. This includes services that facilitate access to the communication system by Canadians with disabilities.

  3. Protect - The CRTC’s activities under this pillar enhance the safety and interests of Canadians by promoting compliance with and enforcement of its regulations, including those relating to unsolicited communications. The CRTC also ensures that Canadians have access to emergency communication services, such as 911 services and public alerting systems.

Specific results are expected from each of these three pillars. The CRTC monitors and reports annually on its progress towards their achievement. For example, it will continue to keep a close watch on the availability of Canadian programs, the amount spent annually on their creation and the audiences they attract. The CRTC will also monitor broadband speeds and the choice of Internet service providers available to Canadians, as well as the prices paid for telephone services. In addition, the percentage of Canadians who report receiving fewer telemarketing calls and the volume of spam prevented will be tracked.

The CRTC’s efforts will be underpinned by a commitment to management excellence, which will ensure that its decisions are grounded in the public service’s values and ethics, that it is a responsible steward of public funds and that it is accountable to Canadians.

Through its monitoring and national and international research activities, the CRTC will ensure that the Canadian communication system continues to deliver results for Canadians. As part of its ongoing plans, the CRTC intends to review its regulatory framework to ensure that it is forward-looking, effective and efficient, and that it remains aligned with a rapidly evolving and innovative environment. In particular, the CRTC’s framework will empower consumers by providing them with the tools they need in order to make informed choices in a competitive marketplace.

Canadians can take pride in having built a communication system capable of serving the public interest. During the next three years, the CRTC will build upon this accomplishment to foster a world-class communication system for Canadians as citizens, creators and consumers.

The communication environment is very dynamic. Accordingly, the CRTC may need to adjust its plans in order to respond to emerging issues. A rolling three-year plan will be published annually.

Public proceedings and key ongoing activities

During the 2012-2015 period, the CRTC plans to fulfill its responsibilities through a number of interrelated activities, including:

Create

2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015
Policy processes
Implementation of the decision on the Local Programming Improvement Fund for over-the-air television services Targeted review of Commercial Radio Policy for French-language markets,  including review of regulations concerning the broadcast of French-language vocal music Review licensing of Category A specialty television services
  Review Ethnic Radio and Television Policies  
Review Pay-per-view Policy Targeted review of Commercial Radio Policy for English-language markets following the completion of the review of French-language markets Review Native Radio Policy
Evaluate whether music genre should be opened to competition for specialty television services Review Genre Protection Policy for specialty television services  
Licensing processes
Satellite radio licence renewal   Group-based renewal for Rogers’ television services
CBC/SRC licence renewals   Licence renewals for French-language over-the-air television stations
Licence renewals for independent television services and review of 9(1)(h) mandatory distribution applications    
Ownership
BCE/Astral merger    
Streamlining
Review and streamline requirements of current radio exemption orders Continue to review and streamline existing broadcasting exemption orders; consider exempting more types of radio services  
Canadian content development administration for radio    
Streamline tangible benefits policy    
Exemption of small Category B services and additional third-language services    

Connect

2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015
Policy processes
Review regulatory framework for small incumbent local exchange carriers   Review of Essential Services Policy
  Review regulatory framework and modernization plan for Northwestel  
Review confidentiality of wholesale services costing information Review of methods used to establish wholesale prices  
Develop municipal access model agreement    
Voice network interconnection implementation Voice network interconnection implementation Voice network interconnection implementation
Wireless consumer terms of service    
Telecom accessibility issues
  • Video relay service
  • Accessibility of mobile wireless handsets
Telecom accessibility issues
  • Video relay service
  • Accessibility of mobile wireless handsets
 
Implementation of vertical integration decision Implementation of vertical integration decision  
Applications
Wholesale high-speed access services billing implementation    
Licensing Processes
Licence renewals for satellite relay distribution and direct-to-home satellite undertakings    

Protect

2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015
Monitor deployment of public alert system Monitor deployment of public alert system  
    Review of regulatory framework for next-generation 911 services
Stolen wireless handsets    
Investigate complaints and enforce the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules (UTRs) Investigate complaints and enforce the UTRs

Use full range of enforcement tools to promote compliance 		Investigate complaints and enforce the UTRs

Update environmental scan to ensure responsiveness of compliance and enforcement program
Review UTRs to ensure continued responsiveness to market conditions Implementation of revised UTRs Implementation of revised UTRs
Develop international and domestic partnerships facilitating enforcement activities related to the National Do Not Call List (DNCL) and Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL), including development of an International Do Not Call (DNC) Network Continue to develop International DNC Network, and partnerships and enforcement agreements for the National DNCL and CASL with cooperating countries Leverage International DNC Network and provide cooperation to foreign counterparts with respect to cross-border National DNCL and CASL cases
Draft regulations for Telemarketing Fees Implementation of the regulations for Telemarketing Fees  
Develop program enforcement policies, procedures and supporting infrastructure to support CASL Commence enforcement of CASL when the legislation comes into force Enhance compliance with CASL through use of enforcement tools, and review internal enforcement policies
Develop and put into operation the Spam Repository Centre Analyze complaints received related to CASL Analyze complaints received related to CASL
    Prepare for parliamentary review of CASL activities

Management Excellence

2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015
Update CRTC Performance Management Framework Monitor progress towards achieving expected results Monitor progress towards achieving expected results
Implementation of job rotation program Continue job rotation program Continue job rotation program
Review and update training programs

Deliver strategic thinking and leadership training programs 		Review and update training programs

Deliver strategic thinking and leadership training programs 		Review and update training programs
Perform talent management exercise and develop succession plan for key positions Perform talent management exercise and develop succession plan for key positions Perform talent management exercise and develop succession plan for key positions
Review organizational structure and priorities with a target of reducing operating costs by 5% over next three years Continue review of organizational structure and priorities Continue review of organizational structure and priorities
Complete CRTC Code of Conduct to support and augment the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector    
Initiate process to review internal financial systems and controls Continue review of internal financial systems and controls  
Develop IT strategic plan Implement IT strategic plan Implement IT strategic plan

Other Key Ongoing Activities for Create, Connect and Protect

  • Broadcast licence applications (for new licences or licence amendments);

  • Hearings on licence renewals of stations with non-compliance issues;

  • Alternative dispute resolution;

  • Process forbearance, review and vary, tariff and other applications;

  • Numbering resource management;

  • Monitor access to broadband Internet services, including download and upload speeds;

  • Monitor the steps taken by television distribution companies to respond to consumer demands by increasing the flexibility of their packages;

  • Coordinate and facilitate the activities of the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee;

  • Coordinate and facilitate the activities of industry working groups (e.g., closed captioning working groups);

  • Enforcement of policies and requirements related to:

    • Internet traffic management practices;

    • Voice over Internet Protocol 911 requirements; and

    • Loudness of commercials;

  • Manage the National DNCL operator and the Spam Reporting Centre;

  • Draft and submit annual report to Parliament related to the National DNCL;

  • Intake of complaints and reports to the Spam Reporting Centre;

  • Participate in working groups related to CASL enforcement and coordinate with the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the Competition Bureau, and coordinate with Industry Canada for reporting requirements and public education;

  • Develop and report on Performance Management Framework for CASL;

  • Design public education and outreach initiatives for the National DNCL and CASL;

  • Improve the CRTC website to ensure that it is intuitive to use and accessible to all Canadians, and monitor the effectiveness of changes made to the website;

  • Monitor trends in consumer complaints;

  • Conduct environmental scans to identify and monitor emerging trends;

  • Improve outreach activities to consumers and public-interest groups;

  • Publish research and analysis to stimulate public dialogue and debate of strategic issues;

  • Monitor regulatory developments in countries designated as priority by the Canadian government and countries with progressive regulatory regimes; and

  • Analyze, monitor and report to the public on the communication industry by publishing the annual Communications Monitoring Report.

Date Modified: 2012-09-19
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