In a letter to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) the Canadian Association of Broadcasters and 25 of its radio members – representing more than 500 stations across the country – called on the federal broadcasting regulator to tear up its notice on updated rules for the radio and audio sector and start over.
“This is an exceptional request for the broadcasting industry to make of its regulator, but the response from our radio members was overwhelming and unified,” said CAB President Kevin Desjardins. “Rather than bold proposals to address the fundamental shifts in consumer and advertising behaviour fostered by online streaming services, the Commission’s preliminary views effectively affirm a regulatory status quo, proposing to maintain – and even increase – competitively disadvantageous obligations for Canadian commercial radio operators.”
“The Commission’s initial views outline an approach that hasn’t changed since 2006 – before the rise of iPhones, Apple Music, and Spotify – and that would be disastrous for commercial radio in hundreds of communities across Canada, at a time when local news and programming are increasingly at risk,” continued Desjardins.
The CRTC released Broadcasting Notice of Consultation 2025-52 on February 20, 2025, as part of its work to implement the Online Streaming Act. The CAB believes that this Notice fails to properly balance the need for radio to continue to remain relevant with their audiences and financially viable against the desire for them to continue to make contributions to meet cultural policy goals.
“A healthy commercial radio sector is the foundation of any public policy approach to the audio sector. The Canadian-owned and controlled broadcasting sector needs the Commission to let go of outdated approaches to regulation, and ground their important work in the reality of today’s audio market,” said Desjardins.
See the full letter here: 2025-52 – CAB Letter – March 2025