1. Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission

2. The Broadcasting Act (1968)
confirms CBC’s role as national broadcaster
strengthens restrictions on foreign ownership
requires that Canadian programming contain mostly Canadian content
confirms that the broadcasting system can strengthen Canada’s cultural, social and economic structures
creates the CRTC as a regulatory agency

3. The CRTC:
was established by Parliament in 1968
regulates and supervises the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications systems
works to serve the needs and interests of citizens, industries, interest groups and the government
reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage

4. Think, Pair, Share Brainstorm:
What do you think the Canadian Radio-television Telecommunications Commission does?
What do you think that the CRTC controls?

5. CRTC Achievements: (APTN)
licenses the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network
(APTN)
licenses digital specialty and pay television
services
approves of Canada’s first subscription radio station
sets the date by which TV stations will broadcast only digital signals
establishes an agency for consumer complaints
launches the National Do Not Call list

6. Canadian Content (CanCon)
Content that is at least partly written, produced, presented or otherwise contributed to by persons from Canada. Also, cultural and creative content
that is Canadian in nature.
Radio
20-35% of content, depending on the genre of music or
the location of the station
CanCon requirements must be met between 6 am and 6 pm
Satellite radio must offer a specified number of channels
which play 85% CanCon
Television
60% of yearly content and 50% of prime-time (6 pm—12 am) must be CanCon

7. Canadian Content—Journal Entry
Do you think that the Canadian Content regulations are a fair measure, or do you think that they infringe upon the rights of consumers to make their own decisions about what they wish to watch/listen to?