New Rules of Procedure - April 1st 2011

Change Ahead - The Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission's procedural rules have changed. The Rules of Practice and Procedure have taken effect - April 1, 2011. They replace the CRTC Rules of Procedure in broadcasting and the CRTC Telecommunications Rules of Procedure. Why? - And Why have the rules changed? (1) For a modern, converged and simplified approach (2) The rules needed to be updated to address procedural gaps and to reflect current technologies such as, the Internet and electronic filing. (3) The industry is converging...our rules needed to change (4) For the same set of rules for both broadcasting & telecommunications (5) For purging repetitive or unnecessary sections and forms How? - And how are the new rules structured? The rules are divided into 4 key parts Parts (1) and (2) are converged and apply to both broadcasting and telecommunications proceedings Part (3) has rules specific to certain broadcasting applications Part (4) has rules specific to certain telecommunications applications Part (1) is the fall back to complement the specific rules found in part (2) (3) (4) What? - Where do the rules apply? To nearly all broadcasting and telecommunications proceedings, with the exception of (1) The Unsolicited Telecommunications Rules and the National Do Not Call List (2) Broadcasting applications treated administratively as listed in Schedule 1 of the rules Very Important! - Here are some of the important elements of the new rules... Rule (1) Use of the application forms on the CRTC website is mandatory Rule (2) In broadcasting, as in telecommunications, you need to designate the information that should be kept confidential and follow the process laid out in the rules. Rule (3) In broadcasting, as in telecommunications, respondents proceeding will need to be served with the application Rule (4) In telecommunications, the window to file an application to review and vary a decision will be shortened from 6 months to 90 days of the decision All proceedings will be posted on the CRTC website in the Today's Releases section For more detailed information on the new Rules of Practice and Procedure, visit the CRTC's website at www.crtc.gc.ca or call us at 1-877-249-CRTC (2782)