Regulatory, Telecom & Media News – CRTC opens new consultations on Cancon definition, radio flexibility

The CRTC is continuing to move forward with implementation of the Online Streaming Act, launching two public consultations – one of which will look at lessening the regulatory burden on radio stations. The first consultation – The Path Forward – will update the definition of Canadian content for TV and online streaming services, looking at how it can better support telling Canadian stories, recognize the role of key creatives, and explore issues like local programming expenditures, data, and whether artificial intelligence can be considered Canadian content and under what circumstances. The consultation will be followed by a public hearing in Gatineau, slated to begin March 31. The second consultation – Modernization of radio processes – will update the rules radio stations follow to offer more flexibility. Read more here.

Bill Haugland has been honoured by the Quebec Federation of Professional Journalists. The former CTV Montreal anchor was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award, the first time such an honour has been given to a non-francophone journalist. Haugland started working for CFCF Radio in 1961, before joining CFCF-12 in 1964 as a reporter. He retired from CTV in 2006. Now 82, he lives in Vermont where he’s authored four novels.

Michael D’Souza is the newest inductee of the CBC News Hall of Fame. With the public broadcaster since 1993, working as a senior producer for both radio and television on programs including Metro Morning, As It Happens, Sunday Morning, and The National, D’Souza has also served as a network assignment producer, among other roles.

CBC has launched a new campaign featuring a lineup of Canadian stars in support of its annual Make the Season Kind holiday drive, anchored by a spot unveiled during Hockey Night in Canada. In total, more than 25 homegrown actors, athletes and personalities are featured, encouraging Canadians to give to their local food banks, including Jay Baruchel, Mark Critch, Andre De Grasse, Allan Hawco, Eugene Levy, Howie Mandel, Sandra Oh, Catherine O’Hara, Andrew Phung, Martin Short, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Madison Tevlin, Shania Twain and Emily VanCamp. Twenty-four regional CBC stations across the country will run charity drives throughout December in support of local food banks, with 12 community events kicking off efforts on Dec. 5 and 6. CBC’s holiday charity drives have raised more than $51 million for food banks and other charities since 2015.

CTV News Toronto’s annual Toy Mountain campaign returns for its 29th year, in partnership with The Salvation Army. Collecting new, unwrapped toys for families, a two-night launch event kicked off from Oakville Place this week. Leading up to the conclusion of the campaign on Friday, Dec. 20, CTV Toronto’s Andria Case and Jessica Smith lead daily Toy Mountain progress updates on CTV News at Six. The Salvation Army has set a goal to support 70,000 children across the GTHA.