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Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2025-312

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References: Part 1 applications posted on 24 July 2024, 6 December 2024, and 6 March 2025

Gatineau, 21 November 2025

Cable Public Affairs Channel Inc.
Across Canada

TV5 Québec Canada
Across Canada

Vues & Voix
Across Canada

Public records: 2024-0399-7, 2024-0630-6, and 2025-0099-1

CPAC, TV5/UNIS TV, and Canal M – Applications to increase the mandatory per subscriber monthly wholesale rates – Deferral of consideration of the applications

  1. The Commission received applications from Cable Public Affairs Channel Inc. (CPAC Inc.), TV5 Québec Canada (TV5), and Vues & Voix to increase the mandatory per subscriber monthly wholesale rates that broadcasting distribution undertakings are required to pay to distribute their respective services, i.e., the Cable Public Affairs Channel (CPAC), TV5/UNIS TV, and Canal M. These three services benefit from a mandatory distribution order under paragraph 9.1(1)(h) of the Broadcasting Act (the Act).Footnote 1
  2. CPAC Inc. filed an application (2024-0399-7) to increase the mandatory per subscriber monthly wholesale rate for its CPAC service from $0.13 to $0.16 (i.e., a $0.03 increase over the current rate).
  3. TV5 filed an application (2024-0630-6) to increase the mandatory per subscriber monthly wholesale rate for its TV5/UNIS TV service from $0.28 to $0.30 in French-language markets and from $0.24 to $0.26 in English-language markets (i.e., a $0.02 increase over the current rate in both markets).
  4. Vues & Voix filed an application (2025-0099-1) to increase the mandatory per subscriber monthly wholesale rate for its Canal M service from $0.04 to $0.07 (i.e., a $0.03 increase over the current rate).
  5. The Commission recognizes the exceptional importance of these services, which contribute to the Canadian broadcasting system and to the achievement of several objectives of the Act. In particular, they contribute by offering programming that provides information and analysis of public interest, programming that serves the needs and interests of all Canadians, including Francophones from official language minority communities (OLMCs), and programming that is accessible to persons with disabilities.
  6. As part of its broader regulatory plan to implement the modernized Act, the Commission launched several proceedings, including one on the definition of Canadian content for television and online streaming services,Footnote 2 and one on market dynamics within the Canadian broadcasting system.Footnote 3 As part of these proceedings, which are still ongoing, the Commission is reviewing whether the existing regulations remain suited to and effective in supporting services of exceptional importance, and is reassessing, among other things, the various regulatory levers available to the Commission concerning financing and distribution. In addition, the Commission is taking into account the new realities of the broadcasting system, which are leading to significant changes in how services are accessed and their content is consumed.
  7. The Commission recognizes the importance of the present applications, which concern services of exceptional importance. However, given the key policy decisions that will arise from these proceedings, the Commission considers that it would be more appropriate to consider the applications in light of those decisions. The Commission continues to act promptly to implement the modernized Act by issuing, as quickly as possible, key decisions that affect the entire broadcasting system. Key policy decisions concerning the two aforementioned applications will be issued in the coming months.
  8. In light of the above, the Commission defers, by majority decision, its consideration of the applications submitted by CPAC Inc., TV5, and Vues & Voix. The Commission could still consider these applications on a shorter timeline, as it deems appropriate.
  9. The Commission will ensure that it complies with its obligations regarding OLMCs when considering these applications.
  10. A dissenting opinion by the Vice-Chairperson of Telecommunications, Adam Scott, and Commissioner Bram Abramson is attached to this decision.

Secretary General

Related documents

Dissenting opinion of the Vice-Chairperson of Telecommunications, Adam Scott, and Commissioner Bram Abramson

  1. The decision of the majority rightly highlights the exceptional importance of CPAC, TV5/UNIS TV and Canal M. Among other things, these services facilitate engagement in democratic processes, promote and protect the French language, and make content available to Canadian audiences that might otherwise find it inaccessible. We agree that these services are of exceptional importance. This inclines us towards taking decisions now, rather than deferring them.
  2. The majority decision also notes that the regulatory framework for broadcasting is in transition as the Commission continues to enact the modernised Broadcasting Act. Likewise, the whole broadcasting system is in transition and wrestling with significant disruption and uncertainty. This is true for our applicants as well. This further inclines us towards taking decisions now rather than deferring them.
  3. The Commission will, to be sure, need to strategize and prioritize as we continue to implement the modernised Broadcasting Act in a way that reflects modern realities. We agree that some decisions will need to be sequenced if we hope to deliver a coherent framework through that exercise. But we should not wait to do serially what can be done in parallel.
  4. On these three applications, given the record before us, and given the pressures these exceptionally important services face today, we should decide today. Should something different be needed down the road, we can adjust down the road.
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