Le Réseau des sports (RDS), owned by Bell Globemedia, is asking the CRTC to issue a mandatory order to ensure that Quebecor complies with a commission ruling. In a September 10 letter to the regulator, RDS president and general manager Gerry Frappier notes that the situation "goes to the very core of the commission’s supervisory role with respect to its licensees." The CRTC ordered Quebecor-owned Vidéotron ltée., which unilaterally reduced the fees it paid for RDS by 62 per cent, to reimburse RDS from the date the new rate was imposed (CCR Update, Sept. 4/02). Quebecor responded by saying it isn’t possible to comply because of pending court action on the same matter. Vidéotron is suing RDS for $15 million in Quebec Superior Court for allegedly billing Bell Globemedia affiliate Bell ExpressVu less than it charges the Quebec cableco for the French-language sports specialty channel. The CRTC estimates that the annualized losses incurred by RDS as a result of Vidéotron’s actions will reach $16 million by December. Below is an excerpt from RDS’ response to Quebecor’s non-compliance.

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