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Fact sheet
How to Participate in a CRTC Public Process (Broadcasting)
Intervention/comments
form
Your views are important!
Your ideas, opinions and comments help the CRTC:
- evaluate applications for new broadcasting licences, to renew licences
and to make changes to existing ones;
- evaluate the performance of licensed broadcasters (i.e. radio and
television stations), cable companies, multipoint distribution systems
(MDS) such as Look TV, Sky Cable and Image Communications and direct-to-home
(DTH) satellite services – i.e. Bell ExpressVu and StarChoice;
- update its policies.
When to participate
Applications and public processes related to policy and regulatory issues
are announced, via Public Notice, in the Canada Gazette.
- Public Notices invite members of the public to comment on any aspect
of a licensing application or policy issue.
- Highlights of the public notice are published in newspapers serving
communities affected by the application.
- Processes open for public comment are also listed in Public
Proceedings.
Deadline Dates
You must submit your comments to the CRTC and the applicant (where appropriate)
by the deadline date indicated in the public notice.
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Where can I view an application?
You can view applications, along with other related documents:
- at CRTC offices;
- at local addresses indicated in the public notice.
Applications that have been filed electronically can be viewed on the
CRTC's website under Public Proceedings.
You can request copies of the documents from CRTC offices, with 48 hours
notice.
How should I submit my comments?
Note that all information you provide as part of a public process,
except information under a claim for confidentiality, (whether sent by
postal mail, facsimile, e-mail or through the CRTC’s website), including
your personal information, such as your full name, e-mail address,
postal / street address, telephone and facsimile number(s), and any other
personal information you provide, becomes part of a publicly accessible
file and will be posted on the CRTC’s website. Documents received
electronically or otherwise will be put on the CRTC’s website in their
entirety exactly as received, including any personal information contained
therein, and in the official language and format in which they are sent.
The personal information you provide will be used and disclosed for the
purpose for which the information was obtained or compiled by the CRTC or
for a use consistent with that purpose. However, as the information
provided, including personal information, will be on the public record and
posted on the CRTC’s website, the CRTC is not liable for the use or
disclosure of this information by any other person for any other purpose.
- Submit your written comments to the Secretary General of the CRTC:
- Electronically by completing the Intervention/comments
form
- By mail to CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2, or
- By fax at 819-994-0218.
- When you are commenting on a specific application, send a true copy
of your comments to the applicant and send proof to the CRTC that you
have done so.
- To participate and submit comments related to a broadcasting
proceeding, use the Intervention/comments
form.
- For electronic submissions:
- Include the line ***End of document***after the last paragraph.
This will confirm that the document has not been damaged during
transmission.
- Number each paragraph of your submission.
What should I include in my comments?
- Clearly identify the application or issue you are commenting on.
- If you are commenting on a specific application, indicate whether
you support or oppose the application.
- If you propose changes, include facts and grounds for your proposal.
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Can I appear at the hearing?
- Include reasons why your written comments will not suffice and an
appearance is necessary. Be sure to include a specific request in your
submission.
- Clearly outline any exceptional circumstances that might require your
appearance via teleconference. Be sure to include a specific request
in your submission.
- Keep in mind that not all public proceedings are brought to an oral
phase.
Communications Support
If you plan to attend a public hearing and require communications support
such as assistive listening devices and sign language interpretation,
inform the CRTC at least twenty (20) days before the hearing begins so
that the necessary arrangements can be made.
What happens to my comments?
- Your comments will automatically form part of a publicly-accessible
file for consultation by anyone interested in the proceeding.
- Comments will be reviewed by CRTC staff and taken into account by
CRTC members during their deliberations of an application or policy
issue.
Date Modified: 2005-11-22
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