FAQs

The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public record.

The CRTC is dedicated to ensuring Canadians and First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples have a world-class communication system that promotes innovation and enriches their lives. We regulate and supervise broadcasting and telecommunications within Canada. In particular, we are tasked with implementing and overseeing the Broadcasting Act, Telecommunications Act, Canada’s anti-spam legislation (CASL) and the Online News Act.

We do not intervene in newspapers, magazines, the quality and content of TV and radio programs or the retail rates for most communication services.

At the CRTC, we engage in a wide range of activities. We supervise and regulate over 2,000 broadcasters, including TV services, AM and FM radio stations, and the companies that bring these services to you. We also regulate telecommunications carriers, including major telephone companies.

 Our activities include:

• Licensing. We issue, renew, and amend broadcasting licences. We also issue licences for international telecommunications services whose networks allow telephone users to make and receive calls outside of Canada.
• Promoting compliance with regulations. We promote compliance with the Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules, including the National Do Not Call List, and Canada’s anti-spam legislation.
• Reviewing ownership decisions. We make decisions on mergers, acquisitions and changes of ownership in the broadcasting sector.
• Approving tariffs. We approve tariffs and certain agreements for the telecommunications sector.
• Encouraging competition. We encourage competition in telecommunications markets to ensure that Canadians have a choice of innovative and affordable services.
• Providing information. We respond to requests for information and concerns about broadcasting and telecommunications issues.

The CRTC is led by a Chairperson, two Vice-Chairpersons (Broadcasting and Telecommunications), and up to 10 Commissioners, including Commissioners serving Canada’s regions. 

Regional Commissioners bring the views of their respective provinces and territories to the CRTC. The Chairperson, Vice-Chairpersons and Commissioners are appointed by the Governor in Council for a term of five years.

Our current Chairperson is Vicky Eatrides, who oversees the operations of the organization and directs the work of Commission staff. The Chairperson is also supported by the Secretary General and Executive Vice-President, the Senior General  Counsel and Vice-President, and the Senior Leadership. 

Learn more about our current leadership by visiting our website.

The CRTC makes decisions based on a public record. This public record can be developed in many ways including through public consultations, roundtable discussions, and online discussion forums to gather views about Canada’s broadcasting and telecommunications services. We also collect data, conduct research, and collaborate with our international counterparts to make decisions based on emerging trends to ensure a world-class communication system.

Read our five-minute guide, It’s your CRTC: Here’s how to have your say!, to understand and participate in our activities.

CRTC Conversations is an engagement platform that makes it easier for you to participate in CRTC processes. Those participating through the platform are not considered a party to proceedings and do not receive notice of comments from others, right of reply, etc. However, all the input obtained on the platform is added to the public record for the proceeding.

Consultations you’ll see on CRTC Conversations will be on topics related to telecommunications and broadcasting in Canada.

There are many ways to participate. Each conversation will usually have one or more engagement tools available where you can submit your feedback by writing a comment, filling out a survey or sending a file (image, video, or audio). To see which tools are available, click the tabs at the bottom of each consultation page.

On some of our tools, a moderator will check each comment before it is displayed on the webpage. This is to ensure each comment follows our moderation policy.

Contact us at Conversations@crtc.gc.ca if you have any questions or feedback.