The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) this week said it has launched a proceeding in hopes of gaining a better understanding of broadcasting in a world increasingly being dominated by the internet. (http://www.digitalhome.ca/content/view/2972/280/)

In a written statement this week, the federal bureaucrats said the review was required now because Canadians are now spending more time watching video over the internet and mobile devices. The Commission, therefore, wishes to consult on the "the appropriateness of the Commission's exemption orders for new media and mobile broadcasting services."

The words are very bureaucratic but the truth is that this proceeding is going to have a major impact on the future of Internet regulation in Canada.

My sense is it won't be positive for consumers since the contributors who will carry the most weight at the proceedings will be the broadcasters, cable companies and wireless phone providers and I sense that they will want to "restrict" internet usage and create artificial barriers by using terms like "cultural protection"

Can you simsubbing for video on the internet?

I watch a LOT of the video content from Revision3 and I also watch CrankyGeeks. Is the CRTC going to forceably block this content?

I can't stress how much this is freaking me out and pissing me off.

What the CRTC needs to realize/have explained to them is that in an era of sending everything in a digital format, there is no difference anymore. Call it the internet, the cable grid, satellite, whatever. It is all the same thing. Data being sent from point A to point B and it is not losing any information (in a perfect world).

I have successfully been without any TV subscription for 5 months now and if this gets retarded, a drop to the very least expensive internet package will occur along with a guarantee to not bother signing back up for TV EVER (I say this because as Hugh has pointed out, it is VERY likely that the telecom heavyweights like Rogers and BCE will be the driving force behind killing off consumer choice.)


One thing is for sure though, if the CRTC get retarded, then the Tor system is going to see a LOT of use from Canadians that know how.

I would like to point out that NOTHING has been decided, however, I encourage members to visit here (http://crtc.gc.ca/eng/NEWS/RELEASES/2008/r081015.htm) and consider the following

Further to this consultation, the CRTC now invites comments on specific questions related to:

* the definition of broadcasting in new media
* the significance of broadcasting in new media and its impact on the traditional broadcasting system
* incentives or regulatory measures for the creation and promotion of Canadian broadcasting content in new media
* access to broadcasting content in new media
* other broadcasting or public policy objectives, and
* the appropriateness of the Commission's exemption orders for new media and mobile broadcasting services.


The following is my take on what the comments from cable companies, broadcasters and Canadian producers might be for the following:

"the significance of broadcasting in new media and its impact on the traditional broadcasting system"


Broadcasters will ask for bans on internet video's coming from outside Canada by saying they own the distribution rights in Canada. Same argument used for simulcasting.


"incentives or regulatory measures for the creation and promotion of Canadian broadcasting content in new media"

More taxes and development funds that can be doled out for creation of internet content. Think of a $5 tax a month on your ISP bill similar to the $5 on your cable bill that goes to the Cdn television fund. Think I am crazy? This has already been proposed by Canadian arts groups. Expect it to come up again at the hearings.


"access to broadcasting content in new media"


We now have complete access so, imo, this is essentially about restricting access to video on the net or as I call it 'censorship'


"the appropriateness of the Commission's exemption orders for new media and mobile broadcasting services."


the crtc is in need of increasing its fiefdom. Its looking for supporters who want to regulate the internet. Will the CRTC require "Canadian versions" of U.S. websites in the same manner we have HBO Canada, Discovery Canada and so on?



Am I being alarmist? I don't think so but if you think, I may not be then now is the time to speak out to the CRTC if you have any concerns

This is absoloutely unreal. What gives them the right to do this? What a laugh I am having here.. absoloutely unreal.

How preposterous I hear so many complaints already about how they "regulate" traditional broadcasting what makes them think they can regulate viral web sites like YouTube etc.?

Honestly if this is what I pay my astronomic taxes for, someone needs to give there head a shake at the CRTC. I suppose there has to be a reason and my guess would be initial steps in preparation to tax the internet. This is absolutely ridiculous and a pure waste of time, not to mention my ever increasing tax money. How about spending the money you already steal out of my back pocket wisely.

Redundantly ABSURD.

One word, "unbelievable"!!! Censorship. Again trying to tell Canadians what they can and cannot view/watch/listen etc.

Who heads up these idiots?

My citizenship in this country has been on the line for a while already, but if any internet regulation passes I shall immediately renounce my citizenship and move to the United States.

This is absolutely ludicrous.

PLEASE NOTE

NO one is saying they are going to regulate anything so please relax with the hyperbole!

Today there is no regulation and the commission has not said that is going to change. They are asking for comments. My post in #4 is simply what I think we MIGHT hear at the proceedings and no one is saying its going to happen!

HOWEVER,

If you think the status quo should remain or if you think the CRTC should have some regulations surrounding the internet then I encourage you to respond.

BUT

Please relax with the over the top rhetoric!

If the CRTC has a mandate to regulate Television, Radio, why would or should the internet be any different ?

That said...I would abolish the CRTC, CanCon regulations, and let the chips fall where they may (including allowing foreign ownership of stations).

Seems hypocritical to me have a set of rules for one form of communications vs another.

Posts deleted.

This is not the I hate the CRTC thread or rant thread so please lets focus the topic on the commissions upcoming proceedings

Sorry for the first post being all bent out of shape but the CRTC does not have a good track record on smart decisions (Not to be hashed out here as it is off topic.). That horrible track record is what scares the hell out of me and does not leave me with a happy feeling.

One element that would freak me clean right out would be if the CRTC were to consider enforcing CanCon rules on internet content. THAT would be a mistake...

Here is a writeup from Michael Geist on the $5 "tax" business...

http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/3438/135/

What many people would like to see in the way of regulation of the Internet in Canada, is for the CRTC to Stop Canadian Television Companies from making special deals with American Internet sites to stop content from being seen in Canada. Comedy Central being one. The Television company only owns the TV rights in Canada.
The Internet is a free realm, where there are no borders...
One day when you go to YouTube, you may get redirected to the Canadian site with only 'Sanctioned' Canadian videos.
The government is explaining this type of censorship as "For your Canadian Cultural Protection". Which originally said it was for Canadian Advertisers pocket books. But thats not legal either.

For a country that supposedly thrives on Multicultural populations(you've all seen the advertising and government incentives). It sure is strange to block people from accessing the worlds websites.

A side note is the BC Olympics, where the Olympics committee has bought up all advertising surrounding the venues in a ten week window to prevent others from putting up "not nice to the Olympics" advertisements.

People have forgotten their Right of 'Freedom of Communication'. And that is the main point to submit to the CRTC.

I think that this is totally ridiculous and that the CRTC should have their mandatedreduced (or the CRTC should be eliminated). There is no way that they should have any say in regulating or controlling content over the internet.

One clarification though - what a lot of people call censorship, for example not being able to access TV shows on iTunes store from Canada, is not driven by the CRTC. These are because the Canadian rights to these shows are sold to Canadian channels.

p.s. - Why didn't the CRTC initiate these proceedings prior to the election. I would have been happy to vote for any party that would be willing to eliminate the CRTC or at least stop them in their tracks in issues such as this.

I have now voiced my opinion to the CRTC. Like Hugh suggested, we all need to do this.

Not sure what the fuss is. They asked for similiar comments a few years ago, and came out with the "do anything" guideline. How his this any different?

Simply tell them what you think.

Never give any form of government a power that you would not give to your worst enemy. And believe me the CRTC is already your worst enemy.
The CRTC along with the CBC is almost entirely responsible for low self esteem Canadians enjoy. The CRTC protects the worst of Canadian content that in a free market would wither and die. But no, we have to endure the never ending string of "never were" Canadian "actors and directors" whose only skill is seniority at the CBC. We are forced to watch their drivel and over a long period have come to believe that's all Canadians are capable of.

This is just the first stage of what will eventually increase scope of the interventionist disaster the CRTC is already.

The fact that this nonsense has come up makes me think that there are too many bored bureaucrats at the CRTC, trying to justify their salaries. It's time to look at budget cuts for this institution.
Maybe Harper would have been more successful if he lashed at the CRTC rather than CBC. Something to remember for the next election campaign.

I encourage you do to something postive but enough with the ranting.

Last warning, future rants will be deleted.

Please feel free to post here about what you are doing to make your voice heard and feel free to post what you would like to say in your submission (for feedback) or feel free to discuss the issues point by point but no more ranting.

Time to put the internet to work. Look what happened with the Rogers iphone debacle.

Someone with more experience than me should initiate an online petition for people to sign and use the internet as it was mean to be used, freedom of speech and getting a message out to the masses.

Maybe one step further is the need to revamp or get rid of the CRTC. I would gladly "push" the issue via the net.

Just the fact that they they are even contemplating a review is enough to jeopardize the freedom of the internet.