Broadcasting - Secretary General Letter addressed to various industry associations
Gatineau, 8 December 2025
BY EMAIL
Subject: CRTC taking action to reduce regulatory burden, simplify processes, and speed up publication of decisions
Good day,
As an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is taking action to reduce regulatory burden, simplify processes, and speed up the publication of decisions. These efforts are reflected in our first Red Tape Reduction Progress Report.
Reducing burden is a key element of modernizing our regulatory frameworks in both broadcasting and telecommunications. Our approach is intended to be strategic and simplified with respect to the quantity and type of information we request from stakeholders. We are also working to create a more predictable regulatory environment. We have already implemented some of the initiatives identified in that first report and will continue to take action.
Our focus on reducing burden is reflected in the positions and preliminary views expressed in our proceedings on the implementation of the modernized Broadcasting Act. For example, in the notice of consultation on the definition of Canadian audio-visual content, we explicitly recognized “the importance of streamlining reporting and reducing administrative burdens on broadcasters.” We have asked questions in our proceedings about streamlining data collection and reporting, and these consultations lead to decisions aimed at reducing burden.
While we have been focused on addressing burden and simplifying our processes, we have also heard the calls to publish decisions more quickly. With respect to “Part 1” applications, we have been clearing a historical backlog while at the same time processing a higher volume of incoming applications. As you know, these are applications filed by parties that are not the subject of notices of consultation. For broadcasting, this would include applications for licence amendments and undue preference, and for telecommunications, applications related to disputes between providers, including with respect to unjust discrimination. The CRTC has closed 50% more Part 1 applications in 2025 than it did in 2024.
We will continue to find ways to move more quickly across the organization and to improve our processes. With respect to ownership transactions, for example, we are significantly improving the way we treat applications to speed up publication of decisions. More broadly, going forward, we plan to systematically seek views about regulatory burden in our public consultations, so that we can better identify and address outdated or unnecessary regulatory requirements, while of course respecting the procedural requirements of being a quasi-judicial tribunal.
We plan to update our Red Tape Reduction Progress Report in early 2026. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact my office at sec-gen@crtc.gc.ca should you have any questions. As always, we would welcome the opportunity to meet to discuss, and to hear your members’ perspectives.
Sincerely,
Marc Morin
Secretary General and Executive Vice-President
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