Speech
Opening remarks
by Charles Dalfen
Chairman, Canadian Radio-television
and Telecommunications Commission
at the public hearing to take place in Gatineau, Quebec
immediately following that of May 6th, 2002
Gatineau, Quebec
May 9th, 2002
(CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY)
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. My name is Charles Dalfen and I am the
Chairman of the CRTC.
With me are my colleagues, Commissioners Joan Pennefather and David McKendry.
Commission staff assisting us at this hearing are the Coordinator, Jane
Britten, Legal Counsel, William Howard and Leanne Bennett, and Hearing Secretary,
Pierre LeBel.
On December 14th, 2001, the Commission rendered Decision CRTC
2001-757, in which it authorized World Television Network/Le Réseau Télémonde,
otherwise known as WTM, to operate a Category 2 national specialty television
service for digital distribution.
The decision also denied WTM's request for guaranteed access to analog
distribution on cable.
On March 13th, 2002, the Governor General in Council, pursuant to
section 28 of the Broadcasting Act, referred the decision back to the CRTC
for reconsideration and hearing.
The Order-in-Council, P.C. 2002-330, stated "that it is material to the
reconsideration and hearing that the Commission fully assess the appropriate
options for the carriage of Broadcasting Distribution Undertakings of services
that aspire to reflect and connect Canada's multicultural communities to broader
audiences".
On March 26th, 2002, the Commission invited the applicant to submit
any comment or amendment it might wish to make to its original application. The
applicant did so on April 8th.
Possible options
Pursuant to section 28, paragraph 3 of the Broadcasting Act, where a
decision is referred back to the CRTC, the Commission must reconsider the matter
and, after a hearing, may choose among a number of alternatives, including
rescinding the decision, or confirming the decision, either with or without
change, variation or alteration.
Process
This hearing should last about a day and a half.
Cell phones and beepers must be turned off when you are in the hearing room.
They are an unwelcome distraction for participants and Commissioners.
And now, before we begin, I will turn things over to the Secretary, Pierre
LeBel, to explain the process we will be following. Mr. LeBel .
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Contact: Denis Carmel, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2
Tel.: (819)
997-9403, TDD: (819) 994-0423, Fax: (819) 997-4245
e-Mail:
denis.carmel@crtc.gc.ca
Toll-free #
1-877-249-CRTC (2782)
TDD -
Toll-free # 1-877-909-2782
This document is available in alternative format upon request.
Date Modified: 2002-05-09 |
