CHPC Committee Report

Broadcasting Policy and Innovation

1. Reinforcing Our Cultural Sovereignty – Setting Priorities for the Canadian Broadcasting System – The Government of Canada's Second Response to the Report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Our Cultural Sovereignty: The Second Century of Canadian Broadcasting
• Highlights
• The Response


2. The Government of Canada's First Response to the Report of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, Our Cultural Sovereignty: The Second Century of Canadian Broadcasting

The Broadcasting Policy and Innovation Branch formulates policies, proposes legislation and designs and administers programs in relation to the Canadian broadcasting system. The focus of the Branch's efforts is to support the development of the national broadcasting system and advise the Government on regulatory issues, including Canadian content, access to services and competition.

The Branch has the main responsibility for advising the Minister on government policy regarding the national public broadcaster (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation - CBC), private television and radio stations, pay and specialty services, broadcasting distribution services (cable, direct-to-home (DTH) satellites, multipoint distribution systems (MDS), etc.), and Canada's broadcast regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC). The Branch develops overall policies and provides financial support to the Canadian Television Fund, which assists in the production of high-quality Canadian television programs.

In addition, the Branch also provides advice on evolving new technologies and content in the new media environment.

Primary clients include 4,500 licensed broadcasters and distributors, groups seeking to ensure a Canadian presence on the airwaves, and organizations representing under-serviced communities (i.e. aboriginal broadcasters, hearing impaired) who want access to the broadcasting system.

The Branch:

• ensures that the Canadian broadcasting system contributes to the realization of Canadian social, cultural and economic objectives;



• enhances the production and exhibition of Canadian television and radio programming and their availability to Canadians;



• provides advice concerning the implementation of policies and programs by independent agencies responsible for those activities, including the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC);



• advises the Minister, under the provisions of the Broadcasting Act, with respect to policy directions and broadcast decisions by the CRTC.