broadcasting policy

The Supreme Court released its decision yesterday ruling that the CRTC did not have the power to implement its proposed “value for signal regime”. The decision is a very significant one. First, because it limits the powers of the CRTC under the Broadcasting Act. Second, because it interprets S. 89 of the Copyright Act in a way that, effectively, creates a pre-emption doctrine that limits the powers to create copyright like rights to Parliament.[i]

The value for signal regime would have permitted local television station broadcasters to negotiate compensation for the retransmission of their signals by cable and satellite companies (BDUs).…