Communications

The Importance of Canadian Regulation - Essay
Question 1: The regulation of Canadian content on radio and television has long been a source of controversy. Some argue that the regulations serve no real purpose and have become meaningless in many respects. Others point to successful Canadian musicians and/or television shows, arguing that Canadian content regulations helped these forms of entertainment survive in a highly competitive environment. Do you believe that Canadian content regulations are necessary, and if so, what evidence can you provide to support this belief? Be specific in your answer, regardless of whether you focus on radio, television or both: if you think alternative means of support are more important, detail why this is true.

Submitted By: XX
Submitted To: XX
Professor: XX
Student Number: XX
Submission Due Date: November 29, 2010
Course Code: CMST 1A03
The Importance of Canadian Regulation Question 1 – Why Is Canadian Regulation Important?
In society today, one contemplates the content that is portrayed via media. The Canadian government has placed numerous conditions and restrictions that state what is authorized and what is unapproved to be shown or heard on television and radio. The only cultural medium established in Canada is broadcasting. The government has also established the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, or CRTC for short form. The regulation of radio and television is crucial for society today mainly because it serves to restrict inappropriate content that may negatively influence vulnerable individuals and possibly portray an unfavourable image of the Canadian society. This essay will discuss in depth the importance of regulation, the governmental involvement, and how various policies have a positive impact on Canadian society.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, also known as CRTC, regulates and supervises broadcasting and telecommunications systems that are established in Canada. The objective of CRTC is to gain a greater, diverse audience of Canadian creativity and talent while also regulating the content that is being broadcasted. The commission was first known as the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission. The CRBC was first established in 1932 after parliament decided it needed to have a “national broadcasting network, supervised by an independent federal agency” (Canadian Radio-Telecommunications Commission). The CRTC was established after numerous studies, hearings, and legislations on how to regulate Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications. The commission is an important jurisdiction in parliament hill and is given close attention to as it is proven in the funding it has provided. The 2008-2009 fiscal year budget given towards the commission was $45.9 million dollars, with $24.6 million dollars going towards broadcasting and $21.3 million towards telecommunications respectively (Armstrong 79). The CRTC was established by parliament in 1968, and has made numerous changes in regulation. Some changes that were significant to Canadian history were allowing more than one long distance company to enter the market in 1992. By letting other companies enter the local telecommunication field, Bell was not the only local provider; thus halting their monopoly in 1997 and establishing that all broadcast signals must be digital by August 31, 2011. These amendments made by the CRTC have made significant impact to Canadian culture and the way society acts as a whole.
This commission is extremely important to the system established for Canadian broadcasting and telecommunication systems due to the fact that it is the main federal regulator of content. The commission makes sure it exemplifies Canada’s diversity, culture, and society to the entire world in a positive manner. The CRTC ensures that Canadian artists have an opportunity to become successful in today’s society as it has established numerous laws to protect them. For instance, “English-language and French-language stations must ensure that at least 35% of the popular music they broadcast each week is Canadian content...[also] 35% of the popular music broadcast between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m Monday to Friday is Canadian content.”(Canadian Radio-Telecommunications Commission). By establishing these specific rules, Canadian artists are able to showcase their talents in a heavily-dictated American music market; thus showcasing Canadian culture to the world.
The outlook the world has on Canada is of a society that is peaceful, intelligent, and well structured. It was once also known for its lack of creativity and amusement in television shows. The CRTC and federal government noticed that Canadian television lacked in ratings compared to the United States ratings and imposed regulation that help make television shows more interesting and boost viewership tremendously. One of the policy’s included more funding for shows; thus gaining more fans. In today’s point of view, Canada is known to have hit television shows such as Mr. Dress Up, Degrassi, and The Red Green Show. These are a handful of shows that are popular amongst viewers in the world, and all share the same theme; they are all mandated by the CRTC.
Set laws are important for the broadcasting industry as it helps dictate it so it is perceived positively. Under the Broadcasting Act, broadcasting is defined as “any transmission of programs, whether or not encrypted, by radio waves or other means of telecommunication for reception by the public” (Broadcasting Act Section 2 1). The reason for having restrictions is to make sure that adequate behaviour is intact to protect Canadian viewers from the entertainment they are exposed to. It is necessary to have restrictions in place and make sure they are used in proper context. One of the reasons why it is important to place regulations on what content can be broadcasted is to protect Canadian viewers. Canadian citizens have the ability to know what they are going to watch is heavily regulated by the government to protect them from any vulgarity and any discretionary actions that would be shown. This is extremely important, especially to parents who do not have to worry about the entertainment that is going to be exposed to their kids. Today, the CRTC duties in the broadcasting field includes “defining categories of broadcasting licenses, modifying existing license conditions, reviewer mergers of media companies, suspending or revoking licenses (with exception of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), hearing complaints about the broadcasting system and issuing and renewing licenses up to a maximum of seven years” (Lorimer, Gasher, Skinner 159). In essence, the CRTC heavily regulates the broadcast industry, making sure appropriate content is portrayed and proper distributers of media are granted licenses. Placing regulations protects the broadcasting sector as it allows television shows to have a fair advantage to all viewers in their niche market.
By having regulations in the broadcasting industry, various shows have become top rated shows in the worldwide. Television shows such as Flashpoint has become a hit, with over 1.8 million viewers (Stang). The show has not only become a hit to Canadians and overseas viewers because of its interesting plot, but also the policies set in place to help the television series gain viewership. According to the broadcasting act, section three, part D (ii) states encourage the development of Canadian expression by providing a wide range of programming that reflects Canadian attitudes, opinions, ideas, values and artistic creativity, by displaying Canadian talent in entertainment programming and by offering information and analysis concerning Canada and other countries from a Canadian point of view. (Broadcasting Act, Section 3D (ii) ).
A Canadian television show that follows this broadcasting act is the Rick Mercer Report. The Rick Mercer Report is a popular show amongst Canadians as it involves not only Canadian politics but also includes comedy sketches, interviews and visiting different regions of the country. It is a huge hit to Canadian audiences because all the content is Canadian based and gives an insight to the culture. The show “reflects Canadian attitude, opinions, ideas, values and artistic creativity” (Broadcasting Act, Section 3D (ii) ). These are various shows that have been regulated by the CRTC and have become successful to the world market, proving that regulation is important.
The restrictions and conditions set forward by the Canadian government are significant to the telecommunications industry as it helps showcase Canada in a positive light. The government has made sure to imply certain restrictions and rules to have the telecommunications industry, such as telephone companies and radio stations, flow smoothly. One of the main reasons to regulate the telecommunications industry is to protect national security. Before the CRTC came together, the national security for Canada’s telecommunications industry was in threat of being overtaken by foreign companies.
With the decision to have the CRTC overview the telecommunications industry, the market has now become fair and even. Prior to 1997, Bell Communications was the only local provider for any telecommunications within Canada. On April 28, 1880, “a special act of Parliament approved the Bell Canada Charter. The charter empowered the company to provide telephone service to all regions of Canada.” (Wilson 32). Further investigation into this lead to the “Bell Canada Special Act [to be] amended to prevent Bell or its subsidiaries from holding a broadcasting or cable television licence” (Stanbury, Thompson 64). The CRTC realized that Bell had a monopoly, which is illegal according to the Competition Act, and wanted to end its unfair advantage in the telecommunications industry. To open up the market, the CRTC ruled other telecommunication companies were freely allowed to enter the market, thus ending Bells’ reign over the industry. Due to the fact this has occurred “market competition is pareto efficient. This means that competitive market processes will ensure that individual preferences as expressed through the market, will be met at least resource cost to society” (Withers 5). Wither entitles that the market is now on a parallel field as every competitor targets an individual’s needs and wants.
One of the most successful radio and television stations in the history of Canada is Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, or known as CBC. CBC radio was created on November 2, 1936 and CBC television was established on September 6, 1952. It is own and operated by the Queen in Right of Canada, also known as the federal government. CBC is Canada’s official radio and television broadcasters and is incorporated in the Broadcasting Act. In the act it states “The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, as the national public broadcaster, should provide radio and television services incorporating a wide range of programming that informs, enlightens, and entertains.” (Broadcasting Act, Section 3 Part L). CBC is an important fundamental aspect to the creation of set values in terms of radio and broadcasting. Due to the fact of CBC, programs must be both in English and French, and reflect Canadian culture while contributing to national identity and consciousness.
Regulation in Canada is very crucial to the success to communication and media. If Canada had a free market in the entertainment field and did not oversee the activities that occurred, then many companies would enter the market and showcase foreign talents; therefore not providing sufficient exposure of Canadian culture. One of the main reasons to have these policies embed, and creating their own act, is to provide Canadians with a chance to show the culture and diversity it is known for. By governing both the broadcasting and telecommunications sector, Canada is able to establish strong policies to aid these industries to make it successful.
In conclusion, the mandate to oversee broadcasting and telecommunications within Canada is a crucial aspect for society as a whole today. It establishes an important system making this sector flow smoothly. Not only does it make Canadians feel more comfortable, but it portrays a favourable image to the world. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission is one of the most important organizations in Canada, and is a great addition to the multimedia world.

Bibliography
Armstrong , Robert. Broadcasting Policy in Canada. Montreal, Quebec : University of Toronto Press Publishing, 2010. Print.
"Broadcasting Act of Canada." Department of Justice. Government of Canada, 24 Nov. Web. 26 Nov 2010. Retrieved from <http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/B-9.01/>.
Canadian Radio-Telecommunications Commission. Web. 26 Nov 2010. Retrieved from < http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/home-accueil.htm >.
"Department of Justice." Broadcasting Act. Government of Canada, 24 Nov 2010. Web. 25 Nov 2010. Retrieved from http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/B-9.01/page-1.html#codese:2-ss:_1_-df:CODERADIODIFFUSION-m1
Lorimer, R., Gasher, M., & Skinner, D. (2008) Mass Communication in Canada. 6th ed. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Stanbury , WT, and Fred Thompson. Regulatory Reform in Canada. Montreal, Quebec : Legal Deposit Third Quarter, 1982. Print.
Stang, Alexandra. "Canadian Television’s Coming of Age." Carleton University Journalism and Communications . Carleton University, 15 March 2010. Web. 25 Nov 2010. Retrieved from <http://www.cusjc.ca/capitalarts/?p=40>.
Wilson, Kevin. Deregulating Telecommunications: U.S. and Canadian Telecommunications, 1840-1997. Maryland : Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2000. Print.

Withers, Glenn. Economics and Regulation of Broadcasting. Australia: Demetrius at The Australian National University, 2004. eBook.