The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is an administrative tribunal that is responsible for regulating and supervising Canada’s communications system in the public interest. It is governed by, among other laws, the Broadcasting Act, the Telecommunications Act, and the Online News Act. In broadcasting, the CRTC’s regulatory activity includes developing regulatory policies, approving mergers, acquisitions, and changes of ownership of broadcasting undertakings, issuing, renewing and amending broadcasting licenses. In telecom, the CRTC approves tariffs and agreements for certain telecommunication services and resolves disputes regarding certain commercial arrangements.
The Online News Act requires the CRTC to cause an independent auditor to prepare an annual auditor’s report in respect of the impact of this Act on the Canadian digital news marketplace. The Online News Act regulates digital news intermediaries to enhance fairness in the Canadian digital news marketplace and contribute to its sustainability. It establishes a framework through which the operators of digital news intermediaries (i.e., online platforms) and news businesses may enter into agreements for compensation respecting news content that is made available by digital news intermediaries. The CRTC is responsible for establishing and overseeing the framework for mandatory bargaining between these parties. Pursuant to Section 86 of the Online News Act, the CRTC must have an independent auditor prepare an annual report in respect of the impact of the Act on the Canadian digital news marketplace.
