HERI Committee Report

1852

The first Telegraph Act is passed.   

1866

The first permanent transatlantic telegraph link is built from Newfoundland to Ireland.   

1876

Alexander Graham Bell patents the telephone.   

1880

The Bell Telephone Company of Canada is incorporated.   

1893

Bell Canada is required to obtain the permission of the Governor in Council before increasing rates.   

1900

In Arlington, Virginia Canada's Reginald Fessenden transmits a message to an experimental receiver some 80 kilometres away.   

1901

The first transatlantic radiotelegraph signals are sent from England to Newfoundland.   

1902

Canada's first wireless telegraphy station is established at Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.   

1905

The Wireless Telegraphy Act is passed. It makes the Minister of Marine and Fisheries responsible for licensing.   

1906

Reginald Fessenden makes the world's first radio broadcast from Brant Rock, Massachusetts.    

1913

The Radiotelegraph Act is passed. It deals with licensing and the powers of the minister responsible (the Minister of the Naval Service).   

1919

The first experimental broadcasting licence is issued to a Montreal radio station owned by the Marconi Wireless Telegraph Company of Canada. The station initially has the call letters XWA, but later becomes CFCF.   

1920

The first Canadian radio broadcast takes place.   

1922

The first private commercial radio stations are licensed.   

1923

CN Railways begins radio service to trains.   

1924

CN Radio opens its first stations.   

1926

The Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) is founded to advance the interests of commercial stations.   

1927

The first national radio broadcast takes place on the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation.   

1928

The Minister of Marine and Fisheries submits a report to the Privy Council on the status of radio broadcasting. It recommends the establishment of high-power radio stations throughout Canada and greater expenditures on programming. It also recommends that a royal commission be appointed to examine broadcasting.   

The government appoints the Royal Commission on Radio Broadcasting, chaired by Sir John Aird.   

1929

The Aird Commission submits its report. It recommends some form of public ownership in Canadian broadcasting and the creation of a chain of high-power stations, to be financed with revenue from a combination of receiver licence fees, the sale of advertising, and a government subsidy.   

1930

The Canadian Radio League (CRL) is formed by Graham Spry and Alan Plaunt to lobby for a public network.   

1931

The provinces of Quebec, New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan ask the Supreme Court to rule on whether the federal government or the provinces have jurisdiction over radio broadcasting. The case is decided in favour of the federal government.

The first Canadian television station, VE9EC, goes on the air in Montreal. It is owned jointly by radio station CKAC and the La Presse newspaper.

A licence is granted to Ted Rogers, Sr. to broadcast experimental television from his Toronto radio station.    

1932

The Special Parliamentary Committee on Radio Broadcasting begins consideration of the Aird Commission's report. It recommends a chain of high-power stations and a commission to operate the stations and regulate the system.   

On 18 May, Prime Minister Richard Bedford Bennett lays out three key principles concerning broadcasting: Canadian control of broadcasting, public ownership, and the airwaves as a natural resource to be reserved for public use.   

The Canadian Radio Broadcasting Act is passed, establishing the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission (CRBC). Its mandate is to regulate and control all broadcasting in Canada and to provide a national broadcasting service.

Quebec appeals the 1931 Supreme Court decision to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council of Great Britain, which also finds for the federal government.   

1933

The Canadian Radio Broadcasting Act is amended to allow the CRBC to have more leeway in hiring, to spend revenues, and to purchase stations on the approval of Cabinet, rather than of Parliament.

The CRBC issues regulations that place a 40% limit on foreign programs.

The CRBC acquires CN Radio's facilities.

The CRBC's first daily national radio broadcast takes place.

Western Television Limited demonstrates its mechanical television system in Toronto, Montreal and Winnipeg.   

1934

A parliamentary committee is appointed to examine the affairs and structure of the CRBC. It recommends that the life of the CRBC be extended for a year and that the government consider revising The Canadian Radio Broadcasting Act.   

1936

A parliamentary committee is appointed to assess the administration of the 1932 Canadian Radio Broadcasting Act. It says the CRBC is unworkable and calls for a corporation resembling the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).

The Canadian Broadcasting Act is passed, replacing the CRBC with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). It is made responsible for providing a national radio service and for producing, broadcasting, and regulating programming.   

1937

Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Cuba sign the Havana Agreement on the allocation of radio frequencies.

The CBC opens the French-language station CBF Montreal.   

1939

A team of announcers and technicians accompanying the Canadian Armed Forces sets up Radio Canada's overseas service in England.

The first major Canadian display of electronic television takes place at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.   

1940

Canada's first FM station (CFRB-FM in Toronto) goes on air.

The first provincial school radio broadcasts begin in Nova Scotia and British Columbia.   

1941

The Havana Treaty (North American Regional Broadcasting Agreement) is ratified.

The CBC News Service opens.   

1942

The CAB asks the Association of Canadian Advertisers and the Canadian Association of Advertising Agencies to develop a system for pricing advertising airtime. This leads to the creation of the Bureau of Broadcast Measurement (BBM).    

1944

The CBC creates a third public radio network, the Dominion Network, to provide a second choice of English-language programs. The basic English-language CBC network is renamed the Trans-Canada Network.   

1945

The CBC International Service officially opens.   

1946

The first CBC FM stations in Toronto and Montreal open.   

1947

The CBC presents a 15-year plan for the development of television in Canada.

The first official electronic television broadcast is received in Windsor, Ontario from a Detroit, Michigan station.   

1948

Television manufacturing begins in Canada.   

1949

The federal government publishes its first federal television policy. The major principle of this interim policy is that the CBC control licensing, networking, and distribution.

The Royal Commission on National Development in the Arts, Letters and Sciences, chaired by Vincent Massey, is appointed. Its mandate includes examining the fields of radio and television broadcasting.

The CBC acquires the facilities of the Broadcasting Corporation of Newfoundland when the province joins Confederation.   

1951

The Massey Commission submits its report. It recommends that control of the national broadcasting system continue to be vested in the CBC and supports the introduction of television, again under the control of the CBC.

The federal government introduces amendments to The Canadian Broadcasting Act, confirming the CBC's dominant place as operator and regulator.   

1952

The federal government announces its television policy. It gives licences to the CBC and private stations, while reaffirming the CBC's control. Only one station per city is allowed until a national network is in place.

CBC Television is launched with the opening of CBFT Montreal (bilingual) and CBLT Toronto (English).

The CBC recommends the licensing of cable television systems.

The first Canadian urban cable television system is launched in London, Ontario.   

1953

Receiver licence fees are abolished.

The first Canadian private television station is opened in Sudbury, Ontario.

CBFT Montreal begins full French-language television service with the opening of the English-language station CBMT.

Bell Telephone completes a microwave link between Toronto and Buffalo, New York to enable the direct exchange of television programs; it subsequently buildings a microwave link between Toronto and Montreal.   

1955

The Royal Commission on Broadcasting, chaired by Robert Fowler, is appointed. Its mandate is to examine the financing of the CBC.

The opening of Parliament is televised for the first time.   

1956

The Department of Transport establishes a policy on licensing community antenna television systems and refers it to the CBC.   

1957

The Fowler Commission submits its report (Fowler I). It affirms the place of private broadcasters and recommends, among other things, that the broadcasting functions of the CBC be separated from its duties as the broadcasting regulator and that a separate and independent body be established to regulate broadcasting.

The National Community Antenna Association (forerunner of the Canadian Cable Television Association) is formed.   

1958

The Broadcasting Act is passed, creating the Board of Broadcast Governors (BBG). The BBG is designed to regulate the establishment and operation of broadcasting networks and the activities of public and private radio and television stations.

The CBC Northern Service is established.

The first all-Canadian, coast-to-coast live television transmission is broadcast.   

1959

The Board of Broadcast Governors (BBG) announces regulations for television stations, which include quotas for Canadian content. [See Canadian content chronology.]

After discussions with the BBG, the Department of Transport re-issues its policy on licensing community antenna television systems and seeks the BBG's advice on the effect of any proposed systems on television broadcasting.    

1960

CBC Northern Service begins shortwave radio broadcasting to the High Arctic.

The French-language private television station Télé-Métropole opens in Montreal.

The BBG invites applications for Canada's first private television network; it approves the application by S.W. Caldwell Ltd. to form one with at least six stations unaffiliated with the CBC.

The Royal Commission on Government Organization, chaired by J. Grant Glassco, is appointed. Its mandate is to examine all operations of government.

North America's first large-scale pay television trial begins in Etobicoke, Ontario; it ends in 1965 with losses of $2 million.   

1961

A committee consisting of representatives from the BBG, CBC, CAB, and the Department of Transport that was formed to study cable television and its effect on broadcasting makes its report. It says the Broadcasting Act's goal of a service that is basically Canadian in content and in character is not being met and Parliament should intervene.

The CTV network (Canadian Television Network) is launched, with eight affiliated stations.   

1962

The CBC's third radio network, the Dominion Network, is closed.

The BBG amends the television regulations to allow more commercial time.

The BBG amends the television regulations on credits for Canadian content. [See Canadian content chronology.]

The BBG amends the television regulations to require a minimum of 40% Canadian content in programs carried between 6 p.m. and midnight.

The CBC participates in the first Telstar satellite transmission from North America to Europe.

Canada's first satellite, the Alouette, a scientific satellite, is launched.   

1963

The Glassco Commission publishes its fourth report, which includes a chapter on the internal structural problems of the CBC.

The federal government appoints a special consultative committee to provide further advice on the CBC. The committee consists of Andrew Stewart, chairman of the BBG; Alphonse Ouimet, president of the CBC; and Don Jamieson, president of the CAB. They are referred to as the "Troika."   

The BBG, the President of the CBC, and the President of the CAB recommend that no applications for television service for areas already served by television be considered; the Minister subsequently agrees.   

1964

The Special Consultative Committee on Broadcasting Policy submits its report. The three members (the Troika) have divergent views, but recommend improving the two-board system.

A Committee on Broadcasting, chaired by Robert Fowler, is appointed by the Secretary of State to report on the broadcasting system.

The BBG enacts new FM radio regulations that are similar to its AM radio regulations.   

1965

The Fowler Committee submits its report (Fowler II). It recommends that explicit goals be set for the broadcasting system.

The government announces its colour television policy.

The first regular CBC stereo broadcasts begin in Winnipeg.   

1966

The White Paper on Broadcasting is published. It recommends that the BBG be reconstituted and its role vis-à-vis the CBC be strengthened. It also recommends that cable television systems be treated as components of the national broadcasting system.

The BBG decides it will not recommend for approval applications for AM radio stations in areas where local radio and television service is already available.

Canada's first colour television programming is broadcast.

The government appoints a committee, chaired by Dr. John Chapman, to establish a basis for a policy on space research in Canada.   

1967

The Federal government releases its White Paper on Broadcasting, which refers to viewing choice as "almost a necessity of life."

The Chapman Committee submits its report, entitled Upper Atmosphere And Space Programs In Canada, which discusses using communications satellites to broadcast television signals and which recommends that steps be taken to ensure Canadian control of the domestic satellite system.

The CBC broadcasts an international telecast, by satellite, of the official opening of Expo '67.   

1968

A new Broadcasting Act is passed, setting the broadcasting policy for Canada and creating the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC) to replace the BBG. The CRTC is given special responsibilities to ensure that ownership and control of broadcasting remain in Canadian hands, that programming be of high quality with substantial Canadian content, and that Canadian broadcasting serve to safeguard, enrich and strengthen the nation of Canada from sea to sea.   

The government publishes a policy announcement on ultra-high frequency (UHF) television channels, in which educational broadcasting facilities are to be given first priority.

The government issues a White Paper outlining the need for a domestic satellite communications system.   

Initial government contracts are awarded for the development of a Canadian communications satellite system.

The first televised debate among Canadian political party leaders is broadcast.

The National Community Antenna Association changes its name to the Canadian Cable Television Association.   

1969

The Telesat Canada Act is passed, establishing a satellite system on a commercial basis.

Radio-Québec (the province's educational broadcaster) is established.

The CRTC announces the FM band will be "treated as a public asset with possibilities significantly different from those of AM radio."

The CRTC drops the BBG's 1966 rule limiting new AM stations in areas with existing local radio and television service.

The CRTC issues a major announcement on cable television, noting the technology had become a major factor in the Canadian broadcasting system. It sets out rules on the services that cable systems are required to carry.

Canadian television stations are required to fill 55% of their broadcasting day with Canadian content, and 40% of the time between 6 p.m. to midnight.

The Senate of Canada establishes the Special Senate Committee on Mass Media, chaired by Senator Keith Davey. Its mandate is to report on the ownership and control of the mass media.    

1970

The Special Senate Committee on Mass Media (the Davey Committee) publishes its report. Its subjects are the ownership, control, influence, and public impact of the major Canadian media.

The CRTC introduces new Canadian content regulations for television. [see Canadian content chronology.]   

The federal cabinet issues a directive to the CRTC requiring that all cable systems reserve one channel for educational broadcasting by the provinces.

TV Ontario (the province's educational broadcaster) is established.

The first UHF television station, CICA-TV Toronto, opens. It broadcasts programs of TV Ontario.

The government awards the contract for the construction of Anik, the first Canadian communications satellite.   

1971

Canadian content regulations come into force for AM radio music.

The CRTC publishes a policy on cable television, entitled Canadian Broadcasting: "A Single System," encouraging the development of cable television. One aspect of the policy is the provision under which a local channel can be substituted for a U.S. one on the cable service if both stations are carrying the same program.

The first French-language private television network, Télé-Diffuseurs Associés (TVA), is established.    

1972

Radio-Québec begins operating on cable.

Global Television, Canada's third English-language television network, is licensed by the CRTC to serve five Ontario cities.

Anik A1, Canada's first domestic geosynchronous communication satellite, is launched.

CBC's International Service is renamed Radio Canada International.

The CRTC invites proposals for the future development of pay television.   

1973

The federal government issues a position paper entitled Proposals for a Communications Policy for Canada.

Access Alberta (the province's educational broadcaster) is established.

The CBC begins live television broadcasts to the North via the Anik satellite.   

1974

The Global Television Network begins broadcasting.

CBC's French-language FM stereo network opens.    

1975

The CRTC issues cable television regulations that codify its 1971 policies. It establishes a policy for cable systems to offer a channel for the communities they serve.

In January, the CRTC releases its new FM policy. It develops an extensive set of content categories to describe stations' on-air content as thoroughly as possible; it will by condition of licence require FM stations to adhere to a promise of performance in which they commit to broadcast specific percentages of different types of programming; the CRTC also decides to prohibit any simulcasting.

In July, the CRTC amends its broadcasting regulations and delays implementation of its FM policy and allows some simulcasting.   

The Federal Court of Appeal confirms that CRTC has the jurisdiction to allow Canadian cable systems to delete commercials on American television channels.

CBC's English-language FM stereo radio network opens.   

1976

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission Act is proclaimed. It transfers responsibility for regulating federally chartered telecommunications carriers from the Canadian Transport Commission to the CRTC, which is renamed the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission.

The CRTC proposes to exempt from regulation Master Antenna Television Systems (MATVs).

The CRTC sets out its policy on the carriage by cable systems of FM signals; it limits cable carriage of out-of-market FM stations to those that do not compete with, but 'complement' the market's FM stations.

The Communications Technology Satellite (CTS), later christened Hermes, is launched. This experimental satellite, a joint venture of the Department of Communications and NASA, is the prototype of direct-broadcast satellites.   

1977

The CRTC conducts hearings on pay television.

The CRTC says it will consider applications for cable systems to carry the televised proceedings of the House of Commons debates, on the systems' special programming channels.

The CBC installs broadcasts facilities in the House of Commons at the Speaker's request.   

1978

The CRTC releases its Report on Pay Television and recommends not introducing pay television.

The CRTC enacts Radio (FM) Broadcasting regulations and Radio (AM) Broadcasting Regulations.   

1979

The Consultative Committee on the Implications of Telecommunications for Canadian Sovereignty, chaired by J.V. Clyne, publishes a report entitled Telecommunications and Canada.

The federal government asks the CRTC to carry out public hearings into pay television. Accordingly, the CRTC establishes the Committee on Extension of Service to Northern and Remote Communities, chaired by Réal Therrien.   

The CBC begins live television coverage of the House of Commons, distributing the signal live by satellite to cable systems in 15 major Canadian cities.   

The CRTC implements the FM Policy (see 1975), reducing Canadian content levels.   

1980

The Therrien Committee submits its report, entitled The 1980s: A Decade of Diversity: Broadcasting, Satellites and Pay-TV. It recommends that the CRTC call for applications for a Canadian television satellite service.

The B.C. Knowledge Network (the province's educational broadcaster) is established.

The Federal Cultural Policy Review Committee, chaired by Louis Applebaum and Jacques Hébert, is established.   

1981

Canadian Satellite Communications Inc. is licensed "to deliver a basic package of attractive television and radio services to the more remote and underserved communities throughout Canada." (Public Notice 1985-60; Decision 81-252).

In a Public Notice, the CRTC calls for applications to provide pay television services.   

1982

The Applebaum-Hébert committee submits its report. It recommends that the CBC abandon television production and buy programs from outside studios.

The CRTC publishes its initial decision on pay television (Decision 82-240) and issues six licences. The Decision sets out the regulatory framework for pay television.

Cancom, the first company in the world to deliver scrambled television signals via satellite to remote communities, opens.

The CRTC licenses Television de l'Est du Canada (TVEC), a French-language discretionary pay television service; it subsequently merges with First Choice's French-language service in 1984 (Decisions 821023 and 84-32).   

Telesat Canada's Anik C3 satellite is launched. It is the world's first communications satellite with enough power to broadcast directly to small, home receiving dishes.   

1983

The federal government publishes Towards a New National Broadcasting Policy.

The federal government publishes Building for the Future: Toward a Distinctive CBC. It rejects the idea of divesting the CBC of its production facilities.

The Federal government publishes Direct-to-Home Broadcasting for Canada, outlining the government's continuing interest in the use of Canadian satellites to distribute broadcasting services to underserved communities.

The CRTC issues its Policy Statement on Canadian Content in Television (Public Notice 1983-18). [See Canadian content chronology.]

The CRTC publishes Cable Television Service Tiering and Universal Pay Television Service, which establishes the regulatory framework for introducing Canada and U.S. specialty services on a discretionary basis and a tiering structure for cable television (Public Notice 1983245).   

The CRTC approves Cancom's application to distribute scrambled signals of the three U.S. commercial and one non-commercial networks in its package of Canadian services (Decision 83-126).

The CRTC licenses Aim Satellite Communications to provide an English-language discretionary service; it subsequently merges with Allarcom's Superchannel discretionary pay television service in January 1984 (Decisions 83-115 and 84-2).

Creation of the Canadian Broadcast Program Development Fund (administered by Telefilm Canada) to ensure the production of high-quality Canadian television programming in the under-represented categories of drama, variety, children's, and documentary.   

The CRTC publishes "Religious Broadcasting: Licensing Policy and Call for Applications for a Satellite-to-Cable, Interfaith Religious Programming Service" (Public Notice CRTC 1983-112). While rejecting broadcast undertakings dedicated exclusively to the views of a particular religion, it supports the introduction of a new, broadly based network programming service devoted to serving the varied religious practices and beliefs of Canadians.

The CRTC forms a Consultative Committee on Music on FM radio.

The first pay television channels open.

The federal government creates the Broadcast Program Development Fund.   

1984

The federal government publishes The National Film and Video Policy.

The CRTC licences the first specialty television channels (Public Notice 1984-81).

The CRTC publishes pay television regulations (Public Notice 1984275).

The CRTC approves the re-structuring of Canada's pay television services (from six down to three).

The CRTC approves the consolidation of two French-language pay television undertakings to create Premier Choix: TVEC Inc (Decision 8432).

The CRTC licenses the MuchMusic, The Sports Network, Telelatino, and Chinavision specialty services (Decisions 84-338, -339, -444, and -445).

The CRTC adopts its Consultative Committee recommendations on simplifying the implementation of its FM policy (Public Notice 1984-4).

The CRTC amends its television regulations on Canadian content. [See Canadian content chronology.]   

The CRTC publishes Recognition For Canadian Programs, in which it introduces a point system (Public Notice 1984-94). [See Canadian content chronology.]

The Federal Minister of Communications publishes a Department of Communications working paper on direct-to-home satellite broadcasting for Canada, which includes its policy objectives and findings.   

The Federal-Provincial Committee on the Future of French-language Television is created by the Communications Ministers of Canada and Quebec, Marcel Masse and Jean-François Bertrand, to examine the challenges facing French-language television. It is chaired by the two respective deputy ministers.

The CRTC forms the Task Force on Access to Television in Underserved Communities headed by Commissioner Paul Klingle.   

1985

The Federal-Provincial Committee on the Future of French-language Television publishes its report. It recommends recognizing the specific nature of the French-language television system within the Canadian broadcasting system.

The CRTC publishes "A Broadcasting Policy Reflecting Canada's Linguistic and Cultural Diversity" (Public Notice 1985-139).

The CRTC publishes "Northern Native Broadcasting" (Public Notice 1985-274), in which it addresses the distribution of aboriginal radio and television services. It is based on the principles contained in the 1980 Therrien Committee report.

The CRTC licenses The Life Channel, a discretionary pay television service that goes out of business in 1986 (Decisions 85-141 and Public Notice 1987-260).

Publication of the report of the Task Force on Access to Television in Underserved Communities entitled "The Costs of Choice" (Klingle Report).

The Task Force on Broadcasting Policy, chaired by Gerald Caplan and Florian Sauvageau, is established.

The CRTC announces it has formed a Task Force on French-Language Popular Music, to assess French-language broadcasters' difficulties in meeting required levels of French-language vocal music (Public Notice 1985-100).

The CBC joins TV5, a European French-language satellite service.   

1986

The Caplan-Sauvageau Task Force submits its report. It recommends a new Broadcasting Act to respond to changing conditions.

The Federal Task Force on Program Review (Nielsen Task Force) publishes recommendations on culture and communications.   

The CRTC enacts new cable regulations to replace those in force since 1976. While recognizing the need for a flexible environment, the regulations say Canadian television and audio services must predominate.

The CRTC enacts new radio regulations, which make the CRTC's role more of a supervisory one.

The CRTC reduces Canadian content requirements for Canadian pay television services.

The CRTC decides against permitting the introduction of pay-per-view services (Public Notice 1986-313).

The CRTC publishes "Policy On Sex-Role Stereotyping In The Broadcast Media" (Public Notice 1986-351), in which it sets expectations with regard to sex-role stereotyping.

The CRTC allows French-language AM stations to reduce their minimum use of French-language music from 65% to 55% for two years.   

The CRTC's Consultative Committee on Music and Radio issues The Country Music Industry in Canada.

A second private French-language television channel (Quatre Saisons) opens in Montreal.   

1987

The CRTC publishes "Regulatory Policy for Direct-to-Home Satellite Broadcasting Systems, Multipoint Distribution Systems, and Subscription Television Systems" (Public Notice 1987-254).

In licensing nine new Canadian specialty and pay television services, the CRTC decides cable licensees have a responsibility to ensure that Canadian services are provided fair and equitable access to their cable systems (Public Notice 1987-260).

The CRTC sets out the rules governing the distribution of programming services as part of the basic service or as discretionary services (Public Notice 1987-261).

The CRTC revises the television regulations and reaffirms the 60% overall and 50% prime time Canadian content requirements (Public Notice 1987-8). [See Canadian content chronology.]

The CRTC approves the CBC's application for a network licence to provide a national English-language all-news channel (Decision 87-904) and licences nine additional new specialty channels.   

The CRTC decides not to reduce the Canadian content requirements for country music broadcasters.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Communications and Culture begins consideration of the Caplan-Sauvageau Report.   

1988

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Communications and Culture submits its report on broadcasting policy, in which it makes 143 recommendations.

The federal government tables a new broadcasting policy, entitled Canadian Voices: Canadian Choices.

Cabinet approves the CBC licence to operate an English-language all-news channel.

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal holds that a broadcasting undertaking includes broadcasting transmitting and receiving systems, whether or not the systems are operating for profit or gain, or contain commercial elements.   

The CRTC amends the 1986 Cable Television Regulations, increasing the mark-up that cable systems may add to their basic monthly subscriber fees to cover additional operating costs associated with the introduction of new specialty services (Public Notice 988-57).   

The CRTC states that it would be prepared to deal with pay-per-view proposals (Public Notice 1988-173).

The CRTC issues a policy on open-line programs (for radio, television or a cable community channels), to encourage broadcasters to develop their own guidelines that will prevent abusive comment and ensure balance and high standards in such programming (Public Notice 1988-213).

The international French-language channel TV5 begins broadcasting in Canada.

The CRTC establishes a task force "to study the problem surrounding the broadcast of dubbed programs by French-language television stations in Canada."   

1989

The Copyright Act is amended to require cable and satellite companies to pay for the retransmission of works included in distant broadcast signals; expands the concept of "communication to the public" from broadcasting to include all forms of telecommunication.

The CRTC issues its policies for radio and television networking and radio syndication (Public Notices 1989-2, -3, -4).   

The CBC English-language all-news channel, Newsworld, is launched.

The CRTC task force on French-language dubbing issues its report.

The CRTC holds hearings to consider the CBC's application to operate a French-language all-news channel. It rejects this first proposal.   

1990

The CRTC approves an application by Allarcom Pay Television Limited (APT) for a network licence to provide a pay-per-vew service, on an experimental and temporary basis, to subscribers of Allarcom's discretionary pay television service (Superchannel) in the three cities of Regina, Saskatoon and Yorkton, Saskatchewan (Decision 90-78).

The CRTC publishes "Native Broadcasting Policy" (Public Notice 1990-89), in which it updates its regulatory approach to aboriginal broadcasting.

The CRTC approves the transfer of control of Global Communications Limited to CanWest Communications Enterprises Inc. (Decision 901073).   

The CRTC publishes An FM Policy for the Nineties; it increases minimum Canadian content levels on most popular music FM stations, from 20%, to 30%, increases stations' flexibility to meet their audiences' needs, and changes the daily limit on advertising from 150 minutes, to 15% of the broadcast week (Public Notice 1990-111).

The CBC announces a major restructuring of its television services; to address a $108-million deficit in its budget, it changes six television stations from originating to rebroadcasting stations, and withdraws from television programming intended for purely local audiences to concentrate on regional, national, and international programming.

The federal government appoints the Task Force on the Economic Status of Canadian Television, chaired by Jacques Girard and J.R. Peters. Its mandate is to examine the underlying financial structure of the Canadian television system.   

1991

The Broadcasting Act is amended. It changes the emphasis on the broadcasting system as a single system, changes the organisational structure of the CBC, strengthens the system's commitments to the regions, and includes requirements for the representation of Canada's multicultural nature.

The Girard-Peters Task Force submits its report, entitled The Economic Status of Canadian Television. It makes 44 recommendations, including one for a summit meeting of the broadcasting industry.   

The Supreme Court of Canada agrees with the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal that a broadcasting undertaking includes transmission or receiving systems, regardless of whether the undertaking is operating for profit or gain, or includes a commercial element. Not-for-profit broadcasters must therefore also be licensed by the CRTC.

The CRTC announces a new, 'streamlined' community channel policy (Public Notice 1991-59); it gives cable systems more flexibility in how they share programming, establishes a minimum funding guideline, and allows some advertising in areas where there is no local commercial radio or television station.

The CRTC amends the 1986 radio regulations; Canadian content levels are applied to both AM and FM (Public Notice 1991-89).

The CRTC licenses Canada's first pay-per-view television service, Viewer's Choice Canada (Decision 91-160).

The Television Industry Summit is held in Montreal, Quebec in December.

The CBC publishes its vision for the future entitled Mission, Values, Goals and Objectives.   

1992

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Communications and Culture submits a report entitled Culture and Communications: The Ties That Bind. This study examines the implications of culture and communications for Canadian unity.

The CRTC publishes "Policies for Community and Campus Radio" (Public Notice 1992-38), which ensures that stations have flexibility while ensuring that they offer a programming alternative.

The CRTC issues "1992 Policy on Gender Portrayal" (Public Notice 1992-58), in which it reviews developments since the 1986 "Policy On Sex-Role Stereotyping."   

The CRTC publishes A Review of the CRTC's Regulations and Policies for Radio, in which it develops a new regulatory framework that "will allow broadcasters as much flexibility as possible in responding to the financial difficulties they now face, insofar as these difficulties relate to regulation" (Public Notice 1992-72).

The CRTC licenses Allarcom Pay Television to carry on Canada's second pay-per-view service, Home Theatre, to service Western Canadian subscribers (Decision 92-28).

Telesat Canada is privatized and the federal government extends its monopoly in satellite communication for 10 years.   

1993

The federal government publishes Unique Among Nations, its response to the recommendations of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Communications and Culture presented in The Ties That Bind.

The CRTC indicates that digital direct-to-home (DTH) delivery of programming services via satellite will play a significant role in helping to achieve the objectives for the Canadian broadcasting system. It also asserts jurisdiction over foreign DTH distributors offering their services either in whole or in part in Canada (Public Notice 1993-74).

The CRTC publishes "Religious Broadcasting Policy" (Public Notice 1993-78), which stresses the importance of balance.

The CRTC publishes "A Licensing Policy for Low-Power Radio Broadcasting" (Public Notice 1993-95).

The CRTC publishes Changes to the Radio Regulations, 1986 Concerning Canadian Music, French-Language Vocal Music, and Logging Requirements (Public Notice 1993-173). [See Canadian content chronology.]   

1994

The CRTC grants the CBC a licence to operate a French-language all-news channel (Decision 94-285).

The CRTC announces principles for the new Canadian production fund, which begins operations in January 1995 (Public Notice 199410).

The CRTC grants licences to two new pay services and eight new specialty services (Public Notice 1994-59).

The CRTC exempts DTH services from licensing requirements, provided they are Canadian owned, use Canadian satellite facilities, and carry more Canadian services than foreign ones (Public Notice 1994-111).

The Federal Government establishes the Information Highway Advisory Council.   

1995

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage presents its report entitled The Future of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the Multi-Channel Universe. This study reviews the role of the CBC and identifies potential sources of new revenues.

The CRTC issues a report entitled Competition and Culture on Canada's Information Highway: Managing the Realities of Transition. It assesses competition, facilities, and support issues surrounding the 'information highway' and announces its intention to introduce competition into broadcast distribution.

The Information Highway Advisory Council (IHAC) studies the CRTC report and issues its own report, entitled Connection, Community, Content: The Challenge of the Information Highway.

The CRTC renews licences for privately owned English-language television stations and introduces a "flexible policy approach with an emphasis on promoting Canadian entertainment programming."

Orders-in-Council P.C. 1995-1105 and -1106 provide directions to the CRTC regarding the licensing of DTH satellite distribution and pay-per-view television programming undertakings; they require the CRTC to ensure that only licensed persons may carry on DTH satellite distribution undertakings.   

The CRTC publishes "A Policy to Govern the Introduction of Digital Radio" (Public Notice 1995-184).

The CRTC revokes its DTH exemption order of 1994 (Public Notice 1995219).    

The CRTC licenses Canal Première, a French-language pay-per-view service (Decision 95-900).

The CRTC issues licences to ExpressVu and Power DirecTv to carry on new, national, direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution undertakings (Decision 95-901 and -902).

The CRTC grants the CBC a licence to operate a new digital audio music service called Galaxie (Decision 95-914).

The CRTC approves the sale of the Alberta Educational Communications Corporation (ACCESS) to Learning and Skills Television of Alberta Limited (LTA) (Decision 95-742).   

The CBC's French-language all-news channel, the Réseau de l'information (RDI), is launched.

The CBC Web Site is established.

The federal government appoints a Mandate Review Committee, chaired by Pierre Juneau, to study the mandates and future role of the CBC, the National Film Board and Telefilm Canada.

The Task Force on the Implementation of Digital Television is established.

Telesat's Anik E1 satellite losses 14 radio-frequency channels, more than half its capacity.   

1996

The Mandate Review Committee on the CBC, the National Film Board, and Telefilm Canada tables its report, entitled Making Your Voices Heard (the Juneau Report). It makes 95 recommendations.

The IHAC releases its report entitled Building the Information Society: Moving Canada into the 21st Century.

The federal government publishes its policy framework on convergence, entitled Convergence Policy Statement.

The CRTC notes that Power DirecTv will not launch its DTH distribution service.

The CRTC issues a licence to Star Choice to undertake, national direct-to-home (DTH) satellite distribution undertaking (Decision 96-529).

The CRTC approves the application by Shaw Communications Inc., a major cable company, for a national DTH satellite distribution service called Homestar (Decision CRTC 97-38).   

The Bell Canada Act is amended to allow it to hold a broadcasting licence.

The CRTC licenses 24 new specialty and pay television services (Public Notice 1996-120).

The Federal Minister of Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps, announces the creation of the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund, combining the Cable Production Fund and Telefilm Canada's Broadcast Fund.   

1997

The IHAC releases its final report entitled Preparing Canada For A Digital World.

The Task Force on the Implementation of Digital Television submits its report, entitled Canadian Television in the Digital Era.

The Minister of Canadian Heritage announces stable funding for the CBC for five years, beginning in April 1998.   

The CRTC publishes a new regulatory framework for broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs), including all cable, DTH satellite, and radio communication distribution undertakings (Public Notice 1997-25). It later publishes "Broadcasting Distribution Regulations" (Public Notice 1997-150), based on the new framework.

The CRTC decides that BDUs must direct 80% of their programming contributions to the Canada Television and Cable Production Fund; the remaining 20% can he directed to one or more other independently-administered funds (Public Notice 1997-98).   

The CRTC approves BCE's acquisition of 31.173% of ExpressVu from Tee-Comm Electronics: this gives BCE 70.67% of the voting interest in ExpressVu (Decision 97-149).

The CRTC grants a new MDS radio communication distribution licence to LOOK TV Inc. to serve communities in southern Ontario (Decision 97370).

The CRTC approves the merger of Star Choice Television Network with Shaw Communication's Homestar Services Inc.: Homestar will not implement its licence (Decision 97-677).

Galaxie, a pay audio service delivered by satellite and cable, is launched.   

1998

The CRTC publishes revisions to its commercial radio policy entitled "Commercial Radio Policy 1998" (Public Notice 1998-41).

The CRTC publishes "A Policy Framework for the Introduction of Competition to the Satellite Relay Distribution Industry" (Public Notice 1998-60) and approves an application by Star Choice Television Network Incorporated to carry on a second national satellite relay distribution undertaking, similar to that operated by Cancom.

The CRTC publishes a report on additional national television networks (Public Notice 1998-8). It recommends against calling for applications for additional English-language, French-language, or bilingual national networks.    

The CRTC approves LOOK TÉLÉ's application for an MDS licence to serve areas of Montreal, Quebec City, eastern Ontario, and western Quebec (Decision 98-55).

The CRTC approves Star Choice's application to carry on a national satellite relay distribution undertaking (SRDU). At the same time, the CRTC denies Prime Time Canada's application (Decisions 18-172 to 98174).   

1999

The Senate Subcommittee on Communications of the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications publishes a report entitled Wired to Win! Canada's Positioning Within The World's Technological Revolution.

The House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage publishes a report entitled A Sense Of Place, A Sense Of Being, in which it recommends that the CBC receive continuous, stable funding.

The CRTC publishes "Building On Success — A Policy Framework For Canadian Television" (Public Notice 1999-97), which sets out a new regulatory framework to support a financially strong broadcasting system.

The CRTC publishes its policy on new media – services delivered over the Internet — (Public Notice 1999-84), in which it says it will not regulate new media activities on the Internet.

The CRTC publishes "Ethnic Broadcasting Policy" (Public Notice 1999-117), which revises its 1985 policy.

The CRTC approves an application by Bell ExpressVu (formerly ExpressVu) for a broadcasting licence to carry on a national satellite relay distribution undertaking (Decision 99-87).

The CRTC licences a national, direct-to-home pay-per-view (DTH PPV) service by Bell Satellite Services Inc. offering movies and other acquired programming on up to 22 English-language channels, and eight French-language channels (Decision 99-88).

The CRTC licenses four new French-language specialty services (Decisions 99-109 to -112.).   

The CRTC approves the merger of the Cancom and Star Choice satellite relay distribution undertakings (Decision 99-169).

The CBC publishes its strategic vision and plan for the future, entitled Our Commitment to Canadians — The CBC's Strategic Plan.

Telesat launches the Nimiq satellite, Canada's first direct broadcast satellite.   

2000

The CRTC renews the CBC's radio and television licences. The emphasis is on preserving and reinforcing existing radio and television services with the aim of strengthening representation from all regions of the country.

The Prime Minister announces $60-million of additional funding for the CBC.

The CRTC publishes "Licensing Framework Policy for New Digital Pay and Specialty Services" (Public Notice 2000-6), which is intended to enhance diversity and choice for viewers.

In response to Order in Council P.C. 2000-1464, the CRTC seeks public input on measures to ensure that the residents of the Greater Toronto Area receive a range of radio services reflective of the diversity of their languages and cultures (Public Notice 2000-144).

In response to Order in Council P.C. 2000-1551, the CRTC seeks public input on the earliest possible establishment of over-the-air television services that reflect and meet the needs of the multicultural, multilingual and multiracial population of the Greater Vancouver Area (Public Notice 2000-145).

The CRTC decides to issue licences to 16 English-language and five French-language Category 1 digital specialty television services, as well as 262 Category 2 services (Public Notice 2000-171).

The CRTC publishes "Campus Radio Policy" (Public Notice 2000-12) and "Community Radio Policy" (Public Notice 2000-13), which revise its 1992 policies in order to streamline the regulatory requirements.   

The CRTC adopts regulatory amendments to its Ethnic Broadcasting Policy (Public Notice 2000-92).

The CRTC approves an application by Shaw Communications Inc. to acquire control of Cancom (Decision 2000-213).

The CRTC approves an application by CanWest Global Communications Corp. to purchase the conventional television assets of WIC Western International Communications Ltd. (Decision 2000-221). The addition of three Alberta stations makes Global Television a coast-to-coast network.

The CRTC approves the transfer of effective control of CTV Inc., one of Canada's largest television broadcasters, by BCE Inc., Canada's largest telecommunications company (Decision 2000-747).

The CBC and Corus Entertainment Inc. offer a new 40-channel digital music service.

Telesat launches its latest satellite, the Anik F1, to provide enhanced Canadian coverage, as well as services throughout the United States and South America.   

2001

The CRTC reports to the Governor in Council on measures to ensure that the residents of the Greater Toronto Area receive a range of radio services reflective of the diversity of their languages and cultures (Public Notice 2001-10).

The CRTC publishes "Achieving a Better Balance: Report on French-Language Broadcasting Services in a Minority Environment" (Public Notice 2001-25), in which it sets out the goal, given the rapid introduction of digital technologies, of providing all Canadians with access to all Canadian, English- and French-language specialty services and at least one pay television service.

The CRTC reports to the Governor in Council on the earliest possible establishment of over-the-air television services that reflect and meet the needs of the multicultural, multilingual and multiracial population of the Greater Vancouver Area (Public Notice 2001-31).   

The CRTC calls upon the Canadian Association of Broadcasters to prepare an action plan for the creation of an industry/community task force to examine, and find ways to improve, the representation of Canada's cultural diversity on television (Public Notice 2001-88).   

The CRTC announces that it intends to make the televised proceedings of the House of Commons more accessible to Canadians in the official language of their choice (Public Notice 2001-115).

CanWest Global Communications Corp. announces that it has sold its interests in the Montreal Television station CFCF and in ROBTv, as required by the CRTC when CanWest bought eight television stations previously owned by WIC Western International Communications Ltd.

The CRTC renews the licences of the television stations owned by CTV Inc. (CTV) and CanWest Global Communications (Global) for seven years. The CRTC imposes a number of conditions, including a requirement for both CTV and Global to adhere to a Statement of Principles and Practices regarding cross ownership of television stations and newspapers.   

The CRTC approves the transfer of control of Groupe TVA (TVA) to Quebecor Media Inc. (QMI) and renews TVA's licence for seven years. QMI is required to sell its holding in TQS Inc. to a third party (Decisions 2001-384 and -385).

On 18 September, COGECO and Bell Globemedia announce they would jointly acquire Quebecor's holding in TQS and create a joint venture regrouping the TQS network and Cogeco Radio-Television Inc.'s six television stations. In December, the CRTC approves the transfer of TQS to Cogeco and Bell Globemedia (Decision 2001-746).

In September, as many as 60 new digital television channels are launched.   

2002

The CRTC announces its regulatory framework for the transition to digital over-the-air television (Public Notice 2002-31).

In response to Order in Council P.C. 2002-1043, the CRTC seeks public input on the broadcasting regulatory framework for Internet retransmission of over-the-air television and radio signals (Public Notice 2002-38).

The CRTC awards a licence to Multivan Broadcast Corporation for a new over-the-air ethnic television service in Vancouver (Decision 2002-39).

The CRTC issues a new policy on community-based media, reaffirming and strengthening its commitment to community access and local programming (Public Notice 2002-61).

The CRTC licenses Craig Broadcasting Systems Inc. to operate two new over-the-air television stations to service Toronto and Hamilton (Decisions 2002-81 and -82).   

The CRTC approves the sale of 21 Telemedia radio stations in Quebec and the Maritimes to Astral Media Inc. It also approves the sale of Telemedia's 64 radio stations and two television stations in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario to Standard Radio Inc. and the acquisition by Rogers Broadcasting Ltd. and NewCap Inc. of 14 and 15 stations respectively of the 64 stations purchased by Standard (Decisions 2002-90 to -93).

In April, the Minister of Canadian Heritage, Sheila Copps, launches a review of the definition of Canadian content in film and television production. The review is coordinated by François Macerola, who is expected to report by 31 March 2003.