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Broadcasting and Telecom - Staff Letter addressed to Tahira Dawood (Public Interest Advocacy Centre)

Gatineau, 8 July 2026

Reference: 1011-NOC2026-0134

BY EMAIL

Tahira Dawood
Acting General Counsel
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
dbrady@piac.ca

Subject: BTNC 2026-134 – Procedural request of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre

Dear Tahira Dawood,

On 17 June 2026, the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) submitted a procedural request in the context of Harmonizing the consumer protection codes, Broadcasting and Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2026-134 (BTNOC 2026-134), seeking clarification regarding the disbursement of public-interest participation costs in this and other proceedings.

PIAC explained that it was concerned that, although BTNOC 2026-134 clarified that all cost applications in this proceeding will use the telecommunications costs regime set out in the Telecommunications Act and be reviewed and assessed under the existing regime,

  1.  the current rates that are being applied were established in 2007 and that consumer groups cannot absorb the shortfall created by old reimbursement rates in light of their declining time-value, and
  2.  a decision has not been issued in the context of Call for comments – A new approach to funding public interest participation in Commission proceedings, Broadcasting and Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2025-94 (BTNOC 2025-94). The resulting uncertainty places a strain on public advocacy groups’ ability to participate in Commission proceedings.
  3. The delay in deciding the matter of the revised cost regime will have an impact on several ongoing and new proceedings, including but not limited to, Call for comments – Review of the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules, Compliance and Enforcement Notice of Consultation CRTC 2026-132; and Call for comments – Improving customer awareness of the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services Inc., Broadcasting and Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2025-274-2.

PIAC sought clarification on whether public advocacy groups will be able to apply for reimbursement of cost for new and ongoing proceedings at new/higher rates, should the CRTC decide to raise them this year.

While Commission staff understands PIAC’s concerns, whether to increase the scale of costs is a question being considered in BTNOC 2025-94, which is an open proceeding. As set out in BTNOC 2026-134, the current costs regime set out in the Telecommunications Act continues to apply to this proceeding.  Changes to that regime resulting from BTNOC 2025-94 will be announced in due course.  

Sincerely,

Nanao Kachi
Director, Social and Consumer Policy, CRTC,

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