Regulatory, Telecom & Media News – CRTC announces adoption of 9-8-8 mental health crisis number

The CRTC has announced it will adopt 9-8-8 as the number to call or text for Canadians who are in need of immediate mental health crisis and suicide prevention intervention. Once implemented by telephone and wireless service providers, calls and texts to 9-8-8 will be directed to a mental health crisis or suicide prevention service, free of charge. The commission says the number will enable greater access regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status as it will be available from coast to coast, 24/7.

CBC has published Q1 Financial Highlights, reporting revenue increases of 11.3% in the quarter, mostly from stronger TV advertising demand and continued digital revenue growth, in addition to higher content sales and demand for production services. Government funding recognized in the quarter increased by 5.4%. Expenses increased by 4.1% mostly from higher programming costs due to scheduling changes. The public broadcaster says more costs were also incurred covering a news-heavy quarter.

CBC/Radio-Canada will hold its Annual Public Meeting on Sept. 28 at 4:30 p.m. ET. This year’s theme will focus on how the national public broadcaster is fulfilling its strategic priority to engage with young audiences across the country. A panel discussion on the theme of “News for the Next Generation” will allow Canadians to hear from contributors to the public broadcaster’s youth-oriented platforms, CBC Kids News, Street Cents, MAJ and Rad. Michael Goldbloom, CBC/Radio-Canada’s Chair of the Board of Directors, and Catherine Tait, President and CEO, will also provide an update. The virtual event will be streamed live on CBC/Radio-Canada’s corporate website and on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Canada Media Fund (CMF) CEO and President Valerie Creighton has been awarded the University of Regina’s Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her “visionary leadership for some of the country’s most important arts and culture institutions.” Creighton is also an inductee of the Order of Canada and the Saskatchewan Order of Merit. Molly Thomas, a correspondent for CTV’s W5, is also receiving the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the university. Thomas has been recognized with multiple awards, including a National Labour Reporting Award from the Canadian Association of Journalists for her W5 story Fields of Wrath, highlighting the plight of migrant workers during the early days of COVID-19. This year, RTDNA Canada also awarded her a National Award in Sports Excellence, for her team’s profile on Toronto Raptors’ head coach, Nick Nurse.