Meeting of the CRTC-OLMC discussion group

October 1, 2025

List of participants

Agenda – Meeting of the OLMC-CRTC Discussion Group

eMeeting with interpretation service provided by JR Languages

1 October 2025 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. (Eastern Time)

1. Welcome: Nancy Sigouin, CRTC Champion for Official Languages (5 minutes)
2. Presentation: Agreement between Telefilm and OLMC (Peggy Lainis, Director, Program Strategy and Industry Development, Telefilm) (25 minutes)
3. Update: C-11 process and regulatory plan (Alexa Gendron-O'Donnell, Director General, Operations, Broadcasting) (45 minutes)
4. Presentation: Presentation of key elements of the White Paper on Community Media (Simon Forgues, Strategy and Communications Advisor, ARC) (20 minutes)
5. Break (5 minutes)

5. Update: Activities and accomplishments of the OLMC Mobilization Team (Dalia Boulos, Manager, OLMC Mobilization Team) (10 minutes)
6. Presentation: RCM 2023-2024 and open data on OLMCs (Tristan Supino, Analyst, Consumer, Analytics and Strategy and Louis-Philippe Guay,Manager, Financial Analysis) (30 minutes)
   Presentation: Interactive audience data tool (Isabelle Aris, Manager Media Market Intelligence) (20 minutes)
7. Presentation: Presentation of the Emergency Services Report – (Étienne Robelin, Emergency Services and Numbering Administration) (10 minutes)
8. Round Table (5 minutes)

1. Welcome

• Meeting attendee introductions The manager of the OLMC Mobilization Team introduced the CRTC's new Official Languages Champion, Nancy Sigouin.
• Welcome from the CRTC Champion for Official Languages and land acknowledgement. The Champion introduced herself by explaining her role, her origins and her connection with OLMCs, and demonstrated her commitment as Official Languages Champion.
• The CRTC Champion pointed out that anything said during the meeting could not be attributed to the Commission, since CRTC employees cannot speak on its behalf. She also reminded everyone that this is not the appropriate forum for commenting on ongoing proceedings before the Commission.

2. Telefilm presentation

Telefilm, QEPC and ELAN interventions

• Presentation by Sébastien Pigeon, Mathieu Perreault, and Peggy Lainis: Telefilm's agreement with OLMC
  • About Telefilm
  • Recent financial data on OLMCs and changes in data collection
  • Backgrounds of the agreements
  • Objectives of the agreements
• The presentation explained that the collaboration agreement between Telefilm and OLMCs is a partnership to strengthen the vitality of OLMC.
• In short, two three-year agreements have been signed with AFPC, QEPC and ELAN, each with specific commitments in terms of investment, development, visibility and annual consultation to better support OLMC talent and projects. The presentation outlined the objectives of these agreements, including financial support for audiovisual projects from OLMCs, data sharing, research into their vitality, and diversification of industry representation.
• Precise definitions of OLMC creators and producers were presented, and it was explained that the definition of OLMC used is that of the Canada Media Fund, made more precise thanks to a self-identification tool developed since discussions began five to six years ago.
• The presentation also detailed the financial results of the programs for the year 2024-2025, with over $20.6 million invested.
• Comments:
  • QEPC: Mentioned that an agreement had been sought for 10 years, unsuccessfully; that the change came about with the new management at Telefilm, to whom credit must be given. Would like to establish comparable agreements with other public institutions.
  • ELAN: Mentioned that the agreement also included a provision to represent minority artists, who are often overlooked, in order to increase their visibility. Added that, although not included in the slides, negotiations with Telefilm also included a commitment to strengthen advertising and communication to raise awareness of the work accomplished.

3. C-11 update

CRTC, APFC and QEPC interventions

• Presentation by Alexa Gendron-O'Donnell: Update on the Commission's latest public hearings on the Broadcasting Act
  • Canadian audiovisual content (2024-288)
    • Defining Canadian content, who should contribute and how; other issues such as data and artificial intelligence.
    • Over 480 submissions were reviewed, and nearly 80 face-to-face meetings were held to explore these issues in greater depth.
    • The file is closed; decision pending.
  • Market dynamics and sustainability (2025-2)
    • Analysis of market dynamics (beyond content), including interactions between small, medium and large players.
    • Key topics: System access, rules for equitable participation, dispute resolution.
    • The file is closed; decision pending.
  • Canadian and Indigenous audio content (2025-52)
    • Public hearing ended on 29 September 2025, and deadlines for next steps were shared.  A decision is expected in the new calendar year.
  • Modernization of radio processes (2024-290)
    • The new Broadcasting Act moves from a licence-based regime to one based on conditions of service, providing greater flexibility to intervene at any time.
    • New tools, such as Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs), are now available.
    • A consultation has been carried out to identify other ways of easing the rules applicable to traditional stations, and a decision is expected shortly.
• Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2025-201
  • In August 2024, the CRTC introduced new requirements for online services with annual revenues of over $25 million to contribute to the production of Canadian content. They must pay 0.5% of their revenues to Certified Independent Production Funds (CIPF) supporting OLMC and diversity content.
  • The Commission has designated six eligible CIPF to date: the Bell Fund, the Independent Production Fund, the TELUS Fund, the Quebecor Fund, Telefilm Canada and the Shaw Rocket Fund.
  • These funds must reserve at least 10% of their total budget for a permanent envelope for OLMC and diversity producers (50/50). This obligation applies as soon as the fund is declared eligible, regardless of the amounts received.
• Commercial Radio News Fund (CRNF)
  Broadcasting Regulatory Policy CRTC 2025-193
  • The Commission has also set up a Temporary Commercial Radio News Fund financed by a 1.5% contribution from the revenues of online audio services with annual revenues of over $25 million. This fund is designed to support stations located outside the major markets (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Ottawa-Gatineau).
  • As there was no funding mechanism specifically supporting local news production by commercial radio stations, the Commission invited the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) to submit an operational plan for administering the new fund. Consultation conducted on this subject.
  • The CRTC invited CAB to file a fund management plan, approved on 1 August 2025 with certain adjustments.
• Adjustments to the Independent Local News Fund (FNLI)
  • In CRTC decision 2025-133, the CRTC confirms that online services with annual revenues of over $25 million must pay 1.5% of their revenues to the FNLI. The CRTC also added Corus to the list of eligible recipients of FNLI funding, imposed a funding cap per entity, and introduced incentives to support the production of new programming for communities deserving of equity, including OLMC.
• Discoverability – next steps
  • A report on discoverability, written by Nordicity, will be published this fall. It is based on Canadian consultations and an international context.
  • The report will be part of the public record on adjusted conditions of service.
• Adjusted condition of service
  • This upcoming consultation will establish specific obligations for traditional and online broadcasters, based on the conclusions of the consultations on the modernized Act.
• Comments:
  • ELAN: Asked if the Nordicity report will be shared with the focus group. Staff confirmed that the report would be published and shared by the OLMC Mobilization Team.
  • APFC: Question about the updated schedule and upcoming decisions available on the CRTC website. Staff confirmed that the information published on the CRTC website is up to date. The first decisions will be released in the fall. The audio policy is expected early next calendar year. The adjusted conditions of service process remains scheduled for the winter, as indicated on the Commission's website.
  • APFC: Question about publishing the process decision CRTC 2024-202. The Commission wishes to give the necessary importance to CRTC 2024-202. A decision is forthcoming, but no date can be given. This does not prevent us from continuing our commitment to OLMC.
  • APFC: Concerns about the decision by CIPF to set aside 10% of their budget, including 5% for OLMC, but without explicit consideration of language distribution, which worries Francophones in minority situations.
  • APFC: Concerns about the accessibility of data on broadcasting companies' contributions to CIPF. Even if confidentiality is recognized, there is still a need for transparency and monitoring mechanisms to ensure equitable distribution of funds.
  • APFC: Mentioned that without transparency on how the system works, it is impossible to assess the effectiveness of measures intended to correct inequities, particularly for OLMC. Staff mentioned that the issue of confidentiality is addressed in decision 2024-121 made by the Commission. At hearings 2025-52, 2025-2, and 2024-288, some parties argued that this information should be made public. This issue is currently the subject of a number of ongoing proceedings, but for the time being, confidentiality remains in force.
  • APFC: An update is requested on the Federal Court of Appeal decision and its impact on the transfer of contributions. Although the deadline for payment was set for 31 August 2025, no information has been provided on this subject. However, it is aware that some funds have already begun to receive contributions. Staff gave some details of the dispute and clarified that, pending the decision of the Federal Court of Appeal, the payment of contributions is suspended. It would appear that some have chosen to pay the funds. The CRTC is monitoring the situation and will adjust its actions according to the Federal Court of Appeal's decision.

4. Presentation of the OLMC media survey

ARC, ELAN and APFC interventions

• Presentation by Simon Forgues: Presentation of key elements from the White Paper on Official Language Minority Community Media
  • Perspectives on engagement: How OLMC audiences engage with community media.
  • Purpose of the survey: To better understand the opinions, knowledge, consumption habits, and perceptions of local media (radio stations and newspapers) in OLMC among Francophones outside Quebec and Anglophones in Quebec, in order to inform strategic decisions.
  • Presentation of the following items:
    • Main statistics on consumption and listening habits of OLMC community radio stations
    • Reasons for non-consumption
    • Perceptions, confidence and relevance
  • The presentation indicates that there is a significant visibility deficit for OLMC media, and underlines the urgency of a structured digital transition, particularly in the face of growing interest in online content.
• Comments:
  • ELAN: Mentioned ELAN's involvement in research and the need to broaden the analysis beyond the digital transition, in particular by examining the risks associated with the use of social media controlled by foreign actors. Further research is planned, particularly in the arts sector.
  • APFC: Mentioned the question of public receptiveness to a transition to digital radio.
  • ARC: Discoverability is a key issue, influenced by a number of factors, and the idea of an application grouping together OLMC radios to improve access was proposed.
  • ARC: Concerns about discoverability, which is a significant barrier: it is hard to find a radio application or locate community radio stations, unlike large groups such as Rogers, which are more visible and better promoted. This complexity makes the transition to digital more difficult for community radio stations and newspapers. To remedy this, it would be useful to create an application bringing together all community radios, accompanied by a national visibility campaign to raise the profile of these media.

5. Update from the OLMC Mobilization Team

CRTC, ARC and ANIM interventions

• Presentation by Dalia Boulos: OLMC Mobilization Team activities and accomplishments since its creation
  • Engagement and dialogue: Bilateral meetings with 7 OLMC organizations to better understand their realities and explore ways of supporting them.
  • Participation in key events to stay connected to communities.
  • Responses and support: Response to 25 requests from organizations representing the interests of OLMC, support in dealing with the CRTC.
  • Policy monitoring and participation: Active monitoring of OLMC interventions, participation in consultations and targeted dissemination of information to encourage OLMC involvement.
  • Internal improvements and access to information: Strengthening internal coordination, expanding the list of OLMC groups to over 300, and updating the website to better meet OLMC needs.
• Comments:
  • ARC: The OLMC Mobilization Team was thanked for its presence at the Local Voices event.
  • ANIM: Emphasized the team's availability and reassuring support, which facilitates participation and preparation for hearings, particularly for newcomers or the succession.

6. Data presentation

CRTC, TFO, ARC, APFC and QEPC interventions

• Presentation by Tristan Supino and Louis-Philippe Guay: Report on the Communications Market (CMR) 2023-2024 and open data on OLMC
  • Explanation of the CMR data tables 2023-2024 available on the CRTC website. Presentation of expenditure data for OLMC productions.
  • Explanation of data collection methodology and publication periods for data reports.
• Presentation by Isabelle Aris: The interactive audience data tool
  • Presentation of the tool and its features.
  • Presentation of annual broadcasting highlights.
  • New data will be available every quarter to track current trends, including audience measurements for radio listening, television viewing and online audiovisual broadcasting.  Interactive graphics allow you to filter by language and market. The tables will continue to be updated as new data becomes available.
• Comments:
  • TFO: Question about the existence of data on the francophone audience in Ontario. Doubts expressed about the reliability of Numeris data for French Ontario, with a request for an explanation of the methodology used. Staff clarified that Numeris measures audience by language. The measurement is based on French-language content and viewing hours, not on the direct French-language audience.
  • ARC: Proposed a presentation on the Stats Radio tool used by community radios, as they are not represented by Numeris data. CRTC employees expressed interest in this presentation on the Stats Radio tool.
  • APFC: Question on expenditure data and OLMC credit. Clarification on the distinction between service language and content language in the data presented. Staff will check.
  • APFC: Question about credit eligibility for projects dubbed or translated into French. Wondered whether the production reports specify whether a project is produced by OLMC producers, and whether the translated portion may be eligible for the credit. Emphasis on the importance of avoiding the misclassification of original English-language projects dubbed into French as Francophone OLMC projects, with a request for in-depth discussion and reference to changes currently underway to better capture expenditures by language.
  • QEPC: Questions and comments on the definition of OLMC producers and productions in policies and data collection. Staff reiterated that it is not appropriate to discuss issues related to an ongoing process.

7. Emergency Services presentation

• Presentation by Étienne Robelin: Report on Emergency Services
  • The CRTC's role in the emergency services system.
  • 9-1-1 call routing.
  • Emergency Services Working Group report.
  • Groups representing OLMC interests were invited to provide comments on the report by 23 October 2025.

8. Round Table

• Comments:
  • QEPC: Thanks to the OLMC Mobilization Team and the work done by Telefilm.
  • TFO: Question about the agenda for Commission decisions and when the various stakeholders will be notified of decisions. Staff explained that the Commission will publish decisions as part of the modernization of the regulatory framework, and that publication will be made simultaneously to the public and to major players.  The Commission will publish the discoverability report for all stakeholders at the same time. However, the audio policy decision will be published at the beginning of the coming calendar year.

Date modified:

2026-02-06