CRTC chair says he shares ‘philosophy’ with James Moore

CRTC Chairman Jean-Pierre Blais said in a magazine article that hits newsstands Monday that he and Industry Minister James Moore share a similar “philosophy” about consumer affordability and service issues in the telecommunications sector. In a feature article in the winter 2014 edition of Power & Influence magazine, Blais said he was "not surprised" by a letter he received when he became CRTC chair, in which Moore asked him to “comprehensively address consumer affordability and service complaints," during his time on the commission, and to "ensure consumers are aware of and able to participate in broadcasting proceedings, and regulate broadcasting undertakings only to the extent necessary.” “It’s not far from my own philosophy, and I worked with the minister for a number of years," Blais said in the article about the June 2012 letter, which was obtained by The Wire Report through an access-to-information request. "I think we affected each other’s thinking on a lot of issues. I wasn’t surprised by the content of that because it certainly reflected much of the advice I was giving .” In the Power & Influence article, Blais recalled his time as an assistant deputy minister at Canadian Heritage when Moore became heritage minister in 2008. Blais worked at the Heritage Department from 2002 to 2011, he said in the article. Blais added that “through the interview process” that landed him the position of CRTC chair, “ would have known what my philosophy was.” Power & Influence is published by Hill Times Publishing Inc., which also owns The Wire Report. When the magazine goes on sale Monday, it will also be available free in electronic form from The Hill Times website. The government and CRTC have taken a consumer-focused approach to telecommunications policy over the past year through initiatives such as the wireless code of conduct that came into effect in December, a November order from cabinet to the CRTC to report — by April 30 — on the feasibility of a pick-and-pay TV regime, and the pledge from Moore in December to introduce legislation to limit the amount wireless service providers can charge other domestic carriers for roaming access on their networks. When asked if the government and CRTC’s emphasis on consumers has changed the commission’s relationship with industry, Blais said: “The public interest is complicated and gets pulled in several directions. You can’t just look at it from a consumer perspective. The interests of Canadians can coexist and align perfectly well within the interests of companies.” Blais also commented on the perception that, under his leadership, there is more “coordination” between the CRTC and other branches of government. “Canadians don’t see the difference between the CRTC and Industry Canada and the Film Board. To most Canadians, it’s all the same thing. We have a duty within each of our roles and responsibilities to work in alignment. Alignment is not coordination or forgoing your own independent statutory duties.” He added: “If you’re isolated and always wrap yourself in your independence, you may be the only one walking in the parade.” — With reporting by Derek Abma at dabma@thewirereport.ca and editing by Anja Karadeglija at akarad@thewirereport.ca and Nicholas Kyonka at nkyonka@thewirereport.ca

CRTC chair says he shares ‘philosophy’ with James Moore

News | January 16, 2014

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CRTC chair says he shares ‘philosophy’ with James Moore

News | January 16, 2014

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