Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission, Regina, SK

The CRTC’s mandate is to ensure that both the broadcasting and telecommunications systems serve the Canadian public. The CRTC uses the objectives in the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act to guide its policy decisions. In broadcasting, the CRTC ensures that all Canadians have access to a wide variety of high-quality Canadian programming as well as access to employment opportunities in the broadcasting system. Programming in the Canadian broadcasting system should reflect Canadian creativity and talent, our bilingual nature, our multicultural diversity and the special place of aboriginal peoples in our society. In telecommunications, the CRTC ensures that Canadians receive reliable telephone and other telecommunications services, at affordable prices. But the CRTC’s role in telecommunications is evolving. In many telecom markets, several consumer choices are available. This natural competition results in better prices and packages for consumers. In these cases, CRTC allows competition, not regulations, to drive the market. The CRTC regulates only where the market doesn’t meet the objectives of the Telecommunications Act. The CRTC supervises and regulates over 2000 broadcasters, including TV, AM and FM radio and the companies that bring these services to you. We also regulate telecommunications carriers including major telephone companies. This role involves: issuing, renewing and amending broadcasting licences ; making decisions on mergers, acquisitions and changes of ownership in broadcasting ; approving tariffs and certain agreements for the telecommunications industry ; issuing licences for international telecommunications services, whose networks allow telephone users to make and receive calls outside Canadian borders ; encouraging competition in telecommunications markets; responding to requests for information and concerns about broadcasting and telecommunications issues;