Here is my first stab as some comments....
I'm not expert here but in reading objective C, it appears that the CRTC is thinking of getting rid of digital television OTA in order to pay for more canadian content in the stations, that would then be available in digital through BDU's (cable companies). This sounds extremely shortsighted. Your robbing peter to get more from paul.
As an extension of this OTA transmission could and most likely would cease to exist. If there is no mandate for OTA, why would any station pay to have analog or digital transmission of a signal through a tower?. Thus I could only see local content being available by paying BDU's for it.
This so contravenes the US approach. And the US approach appears to be logical and working.
I would argue that one of the most basic tenets of television and culture in any society is free access to local canadian programming and information. That I thought was a major concept in OTA. OTA should be required as such, as is the US approach.
BDU's should have a business model that can enhance the product availability over OTA for a subscriber cost, but they should not be permitted to supplant OTA.
I would argue that Digital OTA television is the logical future and superior product for society over analog OTA. It should be welcomed and encouraged, like the US approach.
Much better digital OTA educational campaigning needs to be done by government, and possibly by local stations. It is a complete joke that no one knows about this alternative. 99% of society get their television from BDU's because of ignorance of OTA digital television. Furthermore, the drawbacks of analog OTA (poor signal quality, ghosting, snow, etc.) further helped BDU market penetration, and people minconstrue digital OTA as having the same drawbacks as analog OTA, leading to little market digital OTA penetration. The only non-enthusiast place I have ever seen for information on OTA digital television in Canada is a single website. The information is just not out there. BB, futureshop, most any tv store do not inform the public about OTA DT. In fact, there are placard placed beside HDTV's that say to get HDTV one has to subscribe to BDU's. Sad.
I would recommend the following.
Mandate DT OTA (objective D). One of the most basic tenets of television and culture in any society is free access to local canadian programming and information. Have a drop dead date like the US.
Analog OTA is dead (objectiv D). Do not support it. Using analog OTA is like still using a Commodore 64 computer.
Permit a subscriber fee for the carriage of certain OTA television signals by broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs) (objective b, question c). Sure, make cable companies pay for these signals so that OTA stations can recoup costs of OTA equipment, and to further expand canadian content. Especially when consumers can get those OTA stations for free. The fee schedule could be based on local OTA availability, allowing small markets to not have to subsidize OTA when it is not available.
The fee should apply to carriage of any local OTA digital television signal (objective b, question d). Higher carriage fees could apply to carriage of locat HDTV OTA signals.
Make a concerted education campaign to enhance DT OTA adoption for the public (objective D). The lack of market penetration is due to lack of knowledge.
More comments need to be given for the other questions in objective d,
kw..........