The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has formally asked the CRTC to hold a public inquiry into allegations of aggressive and misleading sales practices at telecom and broadcast service providers in the wake of recent media reports. PIAC submits that many of the aggressive sales practices appear to have targeted vulnerable consumers and that it “would be surprised, given the nature of the markets and market players involved, if these practices were not widespread across the industry, rather than being the property of one provider.” Read the full letter here.
The CRTC has launched a survey asking Canadians about their viewing and listening habits. Part of the consultation on the future of programming distribution in Canada, the survey aims to better understand why some Canadians still watch traditional TV and listen to traditional radio, while others watch and listen online only. Canadians can fill out the survey until Jan. 31, and submit comments until Feb. 13.
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) will honour broadcast and music industry leader Gary Slaight with the 2018 Humanitarian Award. Given out annually at the JUNO Awards, the award recognizes philanthropic efforts made by Canadian artists or industry leaders who have made a positive impact on social welfare worldwide. This year’s award will be presented at the JUNO Gala Dinner & Awards Presented by SOCAN on Mar. 24 in Vancouver.
The CRTC has cited six telecommunications service providers for failing to join the Commission for Complaints for Telecom-television Services Inc. (CCTS). BV Communications, Connexio Inc., ICA Microsystems Inc., Mazagan Telecommunications, Toronto Telecom, and VerseTEL Communications Inc. have until Feb. 22 to respond and show cause as to why the provider shouldn’t be fined $50,000 and their directors $15,000 each.
The CRTC has set out directives for wireless service providers to follow with respect to enabling customers to make Internet Protocol (IP)-based 9-1-1 voice calls over wi-fi networks. In addition, the commission is seeking recommendations from the Emergency Services Working Group (ESWG) of the CRTC Interconnection Steering Committee, which is researching a standardized solution to determine the location of wireless 9-1-1 calls processed over wi-fi networks. The CRTC is also encouraging wireless device manufacturers to implement the best practice of having all wi-fi 9-1-1 calls made on their devices automatically default to a cellular network when one is available.
TELUS has acquired all of the customers, assets and operations of AlarmForce Industries Inc. in B.C., Alberta and Saskatchewan. BCE Inc. announced its agreement to acquire AlarmForce in Nov. 2017. With the deal closed Jan. 5, TELUS has purchased the western operations of AlarmForce from Bell for approximately $66.5 million.
Corus Entertainment Inc.’s first quarter results were below expectations, as gains in local Radio advertising and the company’s Nelvana content business were offset by weak television advertising market conditions. Consolidated revenues for the three months ended Nov. 30 were $457.4 million, down two per cent from $468 million last year. Net income attributable to shareholders for the quarter was $77.7 million ($0.38 per share basic and diluted), as compared to $71.1 million ($0.36 per share basic and diluted) last year.
The Atlantic Journalism Awards (AJAs) is establishing the Atlantic Journalism Hall of Fame to recognize journalists and journalism builders who have made a significant contribution to the profession of journalism. Anyone can nominate an individual at any stage of a journalism career in Atlantic Canada, retired from journalism, posthumously, or as a journalism educator. Applications can be submitted online at www.AJAs.ca by Mar. 31 each year. The submission deadline for the 37th Atlantic Journalism Awards is Feb. 1. Details of the 28 categories and entry guidelines can be found at www.ajasonline.org.
