Guidelines for broadcasting proceedings affecting official language minority communities and the French-speaking majority in Quebec
The CRTC has introduced new guidelines to strengthen our practices and procedures to further support official language minority communities (OLMCs) and the French-speaking majority of Quebec. These guidelines aim to:
- amplify OLMC voices to ensure their meaningful participation in CRTC proceedings
- strengthen engagement with OLMCs and Quebec’s French-speaking majority
- maintain fairness, impartiality, transparency and efficiency
The guidelines outline how the CRTC supports the objectives of these key legislative provisions:
- sections 5.1 and 5.2 of the Broadcasting Act (external link)
- section 41 of the Official Languages Act (external link)
Note: This page provides a simplified summary of the new guidelines. For full details, refer directly to the guidelines.
On this page
- What has changed
- When a dedicated consultation is likely not required
- Related information
- Contact us
What has changed
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Dedicated consultations with OLMCs
The CRTC holds dedicated consultations when a broadcasting decision could adversely affect OLMCs. This means that when the CRTC is considering making a decision that could cause a serious and foreseeable harm to the vitality and development of OLMCs, a dedicated consultation with groups representing the interests of OLMCs will take place.
This could include decisions related to:
- conditions of service
- CRTC initiatives
- regulations and orders
These dedicated consultations include:
Additional notice
The CRTC will notify known groups representing the interests of OLMCs about relevant proceedings. This notice will be provided through procedural letters or the publication of notices of consultation. In either case, these notices will be public and will include:
- background information and key documents; and
- summaries of issues that may affect OLMCs.
Extra time to participate
Groups representing the interests of OLMCs will usually get 20 extra calendar days to submit comments after the regular deadline. This may vary depending on the proceeding.
Ensuring the views of OLMCs are heard
The CRTC may request additional input from groups representing OLMCs to inform its decisions. OLMCs participating in a CRTC process are encouraged to self-identify as an OLMC in the intervention form so that the CRTC may know that they are representing OLMC viewpoints.
Interventions from OLMCs or from any other party, should speak to potential impact of their views on OLMCs.
Feedback
Through ongoing dialogue, the CRTC will share feedback with OLMCs in a way that respects the integrity of ongoing proceedings. In its decisions, the CRTC will explain how OLMC concerns were taken into account.
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Engagement with OLMCs
The CRTC engages with OLMCs and the French-speaking majority in Quebec in proceedings that:
- support OLMCs
- promote the use of both official languages
- protect and promote the French language
These proceedings may not raise issues that could adversely affect OLMCs and may not require a dedicated consultation, but they are still important for the vitality of those communities and the promotion and protection of the French language in Canada.
To encourage broad participation in such proceedings, the CRTC will:
- identify issues of interest to OLMCs and the French-speaking majority of Quebec
- seek additional information to build a strong public record
- provide opportunities to appear at public hearings
A dedicated OLMC engagement team
The CRTC now has a dedicated engagement team, with the aim to:
- communicate and engage with OLMCs across Canada
- serve as a point of contact for OLMC-related matters
- support all sectors of the CRTC in their interactions with OLMCs and in considering issues that affect them
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Improving access to data
The CRTC is working to improve access to data related to OLMCs and official languages. Through various industry reports, the CRTC shares key insights on OLMC and French-language programming. Stakeholders are also encouraged to share relevant data publicly and consider OLMC impacts in applications and submissions.
When a dedicated consultation is likely not required
In general, dedicated consultations are likely not needed in the following circumstances:
- applications listed in Schedule 1 of the CRTC Rules of Practice and Procedure
- ownership transactions with no change in effective control or where control is subject to a trust agreement or passed between family members
- bilateral and/or confidential dispute resolution applications
- complaints not managed through public proceedings
- procedural matters (e.g. deadline extensions)
However, the CRTC may still conduct certain dedicated consultations on a case-by-case basis, if needed.
Related information
Contact us
Contact the OLMC Engagement Team directly by using our form.
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