Egale Canada has sent an open letter to CRTC Chairperson Vicky Eatrides calling for removal of Fox News from the list of non-Canadian programming authorized for distribution in Canada. The LGBTQ advocacy group says Fox News’ programming is in clear violation of Canadian broadcasting standards and has no place on Canadian cable networks. “The CRTC is obligated to investigate whether the continued broadcasting of Fox News on Canadian television is in line with the Television Broadcasting Regulations. People in Canada deserve to know that the news broadcast on Canadian airwaves is reliable and objective, and marginalized groups must be protected from malicious propaganda,” states the letter. “The public interest clearly demands a consultation on the appropriateness of the continued inclusion of Fox News on the List.”
Cossette has voluntarily signed a Letter of Continuance with the Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists (ACTRA) for the remainder of 2023. In Québec, Cossette has had an agreement with ACTRA since June 2022, in accordance with Québec law. The Letter of Continuance now covers the rest of Canada. ACTRA had recently launched a campaign demanding the federal government end its contractual arrangement with Cossette as one of the agencies that had locked out ACTRA performers. Since April of last year, the Institute of Canadian Agencies (ICA) has declined to renew the National Commercial Agreement. The union’s complaint is currently before the Ontario Labour Relations Board.
Bell has filed a lawsuit against accused copper thief Sylvain Fleury, aiming to help set a precedent to deter network vandalism. The company says it is also pursuing Fleury’s co-conspirators, including any individuals or scrap yard businesses who knowingly purchased the stolen copper, alleged to have been taken from seven sites in Ontario between June of last year and March of this year. Bell says incidents of copper theft from telecommunication cables is on the rise, reporting more than 170 incidents to its network alone over the last 15 months – largely in New Brunswick, Ontario and northern Québec – resulting in over $3M in damages and with each incident taking on average 10-12 hours to repair. It’s calling for help from government in the way of fine increases and amendments to the criminal code, reflecting the essential nature of critical infrastructure.
Rogers Communications has announced a plan to bring full 5G connectivity services to Toronto’s entire subway system, including access to 9-1-1 for all riders. Rogers has entered into an agreement to acquire BAI Communications’ Canadian operations (BAI Canada), which has held the exclusive rights to build the Toronto Transit Commission wireless network since 2012. With the acquisition, Rogers says it will now be able to build a reliable 5G network covering the entire TTC subway system. The investment builds on Rogers’ plans to bring mobile connectivity to underground transit riders across the country, including agreements with TransLink to bring full wireless connectivity to Greater Vancouver’s SkyTrain system and the Société de transport de Montréal, with other Canadian carriers, to bring connectivity to all 68 metro stations and over 70 kms of tunnel in Montreal.
WAB (Western Association of Broadcasters) has released the full agenda for its 87th Conference, approaching June 7-8 at Banff Fairmont Springs. Newly-announced speakers include Gordon Borell on how broadcasters can capitalize on post-pandemic changes in media and advertising; Harvard Media President Dan Broderick with a sales presentation; Homefield People & Strategy General Manager Jody Milburn on mental health and the workplace; and Dr. John Izzo on how responsibility inspires change. WAB is also encouraging registrations for its annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by SDS.
The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) has released its shortlist for the Landsberg Award, which celebrates journalists raising awareness of women’s equality issues. The three finalists for this year’s award are: Molly Hayes, Tavia Grant and Elizabeth Renzetti for a Globe and Mail series examining intimate partner violence and coercive control; Juanita Mercer for her coverage of the absence of pay equity legislation in Newfoundland and Labrador, which led to creation of Bill 3, the Pay Equity and Pay Transparency Act, published in The Telegram/Salt Wire Network; and Jana Pruden for In her defence, with photography by Amber Bracken, an in-depth profile of Helen Naslund, convicted of killing her abusive husband. The winner receives $5,000 from the Canadian Women’s Foundation.
