Moore encouraged Blais to tackle consumer issues at CRTC

Then-heritage minister James Moore told incoming CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais in an introductory letter last year that he would like to see the commission “comprehensively address consumer affordability” issues, according to documents obtained under an access-to-information request. In a letter dated June 18, 2012 and obtained by The Wire Report through a request, Moore told Blais that he would like to see the commission “do a better job” incorporating consumer participation into the regulator's work. “I would like to see the Commission comprehensively address consumer affordability and service complaints, ensure consumers are aware of and able to participate in broadcasting proceedings, and regulate broadcasting undertakings only to the extent necessary,” Moore, who is now the federal industry minister, said in the letter. “Consumers should have access to more programming choices and affordable choices across all distribution platforms, including radio, television, broadband networks and mobile devices, as well as avenues for recourse,” he said. In the 17 months since Moore appointed Blais as CRTC chair on June 8, 2012, the federal regulator has increasingly focused on consumer issues, a shift that has been attributed to Blais’ leadership. His first move as chair was to appoint a chief consumer officer to the commission and rename its research bureau to reflect consumer priorities. In the first major decision with Blais in charge, the commission rejected BCE Inc.’s initial application to acquire Astral Media Inc., stating that deal was not in the public interest. In June, the commission released a code of conduct to govern wireless carriers’ relationships with subscribers—a policy that then industry minister Christian Paradis called "bit of fresh air"—and last month it launched a “conversation” that asks consumers for their ideas about the future of the Canadian broadcasting system. The Conservative government has also advocated consumer interests in its policies. In its throne speech last month, the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper said it wanted to see the broadcast industry move toward "unbundling," or a pick-and-pay regime, which would give consumers the flexibility to individually subscribe to the specialty channels they want. While the government has not yet released information about how it would develop such a system, it would likely rely on CRTC regulations to impose it. The regulator is consulting on pick-and-pay as part of its current TV services consultation with Canadians. In the letter, Moore said Blais—who, under Moore, served as assistant deputy minister for cultural affairs at Heritage Canada—was joining the commission “at a challenging time,” adding that he was “confident” that Blais’ “skills and experience” prepared him “for the struggles ahead.” Moore also reminded Blais that the commission, as an independent regulator, “operates at an arm’s length from Government.” “Within these boundaries, I hope that we can work together on issues of mutual interest while maintaining an appropriate level of distance between our two organizations,” he said. Moore added in the letter that the CRTC’s broadcasting regulations should be “targeted and transparent,” and that the commission should consider “alternatives to regulation.” When it comes to telecom services, which the commission also regulates, Moore told Blais that the government’s objectives “are to promote competition, investment, innovation and consumer choice.” “Consistent with the Policy Direction and the focus on consumers … a light approach to regulation should be taken to achieve these objectives, with continued attention to consumer protection and participation,” Moore said. Blais’ predecessor as CRTC chairman, Konrad von Finckenstein, said in a phone interview that it is “perfectly normal” for a minister to provide the new head of a regulatory body or government agency with information about the government’s own policies and priorities. Von Finckenstein said he was not given that type of information when he was appointed in 2007, though he added that he would have had “no problem” receiving a similar letter. “The government has a policy and has intentions and he’s communicating that,” von Finckenstein said of Moore’s letter. “It’s good for the commission to know this is where the government’s coming from,” he said. “They obviously will make the decisions on their own on the basis of what they consider appropriate—it’s an independent agency after all—but knowing where the government is coming from and where it’s going, there’s nothing wrong with it that I can see.” In an interview with The Wire Report on Parliament Hill this week, Moore said von Finckenstein told the government in an exit interview last year that he would have liked to have received instructions about the government’s policies and priorities during his own term on the commission. “We took that to heart and so we put forward, I think a pretty open—but not indirect—letter about what we hope the priorities are for the CRTC in the next chairman’s tenure,” the minister said. Moore said the purpose of the letter was to inform Blais of what the government hopes “the focus of the CRTC will be going forward.” “Obviously it’s an independent quasi-judicial body, so they operate independently of the government,” he said. Moore said he continues to consult with Blais when the government’s priorities overlap with the commission’s work, noting that he has spoken to Blais about the government’s desire to unbundle TV channel packages for consumers. “We’re looking at options but we have some strong options,” Moore said when asked how the government intends to implement that model. He said Heritage Minister Shelly Glover would “have more to say on that very soon.” CRTC spokesman Denis Carmel said in an emailed statement Tuesday that Blais did not write a letter in response to Moore's introductory letter last year. —With reporting by Nicholas Kyonka at nkyonka@thewirereport.ca and editing by Anja Karadeglija at akarad@thewirereport.ca.

Moore encouraged Blais to tackle consumer issues at CRTC

News | November 5, 2013

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Moore encouraged Blais to tackle consumer issues at CRTC

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