Broadcasting - Secretary General Letter addressed to Kevin Desjardins (Canadian Association of Broadcasters)
Gatineau, 5 February 2026
Reference: 2025-193
BY EMAIL
Kevin Desjardins
President
Canadian Association of Broadcasters
770-45 O’Connor St.
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1A4
kdesjardins@cab-acr.ca
Subject: Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2025-193, Commercial Radio News Fund – Decision on amended operational plan
Dear Kevin Desjardins,
I am writing to inform you of the Commission’s decision regarding the revised Operational Plan for the Commercial Radio News Fund (CRNF) filed by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) on 30 October 2025. This submission responded to the Commission’s requested amendments to the governance, dispute resolution and outreach initiative plans for the CRNF.
After reviewing your submission, the Commission is satisfied that your amended plan addresses the concerns raised in Broadcasting Regulatory Policy 2025-193. Accordingly, the Commission approves the following amendments to your operational plan:
- Establishing the CRNF as a not-for-profit under the Canadian Not-for-Profit Corporations Act (CNCA) and electing a Board of Directors from all eligible members.
- Removing the $125,000 cap on administration fees while maintaining the 1% limit on contributions allocated to administrative costs.
- Creating an Advisory Panel of internal and external stakeholders to assist the Board in dispute resolution.
- Implementing a stronger outreach strategy to inform stations serving Indigenous and ethnocultural communities about the CRNF.
In regard to the Advisory Panel, the Commission expects that a fair and transparent process will be used when selecting members for the panel.
A copy of this letter as well as the revised operational plan will be added to the public record for the proceeding 1011-NOC2024-0270.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Scott Shortliffe, Vice-President, Broadcasting, at Scott.Shortliffe@crtc.gc.ca.
Sincerely,
Marc Morin
Secretary General and Executive Vice-President
- Date modified: