Broadcasting and Digital Communications

Canada's broadcasting and digital communications sectors play an important role in our country's cultural landscape, contributing to Canadian identity and the democratic process. The sectors are important in maintaining our sovereignty and developing Canada's knowledge economy.

Canadian Heritage ensures that the Canadian broadcasting and digital communications sectors contribute to the realization of Canadian social, cultural and economic objectives as defined by the Broadcasting Act and enhance the creation of and access to Canadian content on multiple platforms.

The Broadcasting Act also sets out a framework for the activities of Canada's broadcasting entities such as the national public broadcaster CBC/Radio-Canada and Canada's regulator, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).

Canadian Heritage is responsible for designing and administering programs to support the policies as set out in the Broadcasting Act. The Canada Media Fund, a public-private partnership, provides funding for the creation of television convergent digital content in both official languages and Aboriginal languages and leading-edge non-linear content and applications designed for distribution on multiple platforms.

Canadian Heritage is also responsible for providing the Governor in Council with advice on petitions to the Governor in Council regarding decisions made by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to issue, amend or renew a broadcasting licence.

Through the Broadcasting and Digital Communications Branch, Canadian Heritage liaises with a wide variety of companies, corporations and not-for-profit organizations. The Branch also liaises with unions, guilds and associations representing the broadcasting and the digital media industries.