ndallen@contact.uucp (Nigel Allen) (12/01/90)
If you would like to receive a free copy of the CRTC's annual report, write to: Information Services, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2, Canada, telephone (819) 997-0313, or fax (819) 994-0218. (No e-mail address, interestingly enough.) The CRTC is Canada's counterpart to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, regulating both broadcasting and telecommunications. Like most Canadian government agencies, it is more interventionist than its U.S. counterpart, and studying the annual report will give you some insights into what Canadian communications policy is like and how it is made. (Canada also has a Cabinet-level Department of Communications. If you would like to receive *its* annual report, just write to: Information Services, Department of Communications, Government of Canada, 300 Slater Street, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C8, Canada.) Here is part of the CRTC news release about its report: CRTC Annual Report Cites Balacing Public, Industry and Policy Objectives as Guiding Principles for Regulation OTTAWA/HULL, November 15, 1990 -- The CRTC today released its 1989-90 Annual Report outlining the Commission's major decisions and initiatives over the past fiscal year, as well as key issues for the future. This year, the CRTC's Annual Report also provides an overview and statistics on public complaints filed with the Commission. "Overall, the focus of the Commission has been on making our broadcasting and telecommunications systems more Canadian, more affordable, and more competitive wherever competition serves the public interest," said newly-appointed CRTC Chairman David Colville. In the area of telecommunications, CRTC actions resulted in lower long-distance rates; a climate more favourable to competition; as well as the extension of basic telephone service, and, the introduction of new telecommunications services. Key telecommunications initiatives included: * assuming jurisdiction over the major Atlantic telephone companies in line with the ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada; * new rates for Bell Canada's and the British Columbia Telephone Company's competitive network services; * reducing overseas telephone rates; * substantial decreases in long distance rates for Bell Canada, B.C. Tel, and Northwestel subscribers. Disclaimer: None of the above organizations has me on its payroll. Nigel Allen ndallen@contact.uucp 52 Manchester Avenue telephone (416) 535-8916; fax (416) 978-7552 Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6G 1V3