The CRTC has kicked off three weeks of hearings on the Online Streaming Act, with Quebecor and Bell urging the commission to expeditiously consider regulatory burdens placed on broadcasters as they wade through a bad advertising climate and foreign competition. On the first day of the hearing, witnesses proposed percentages of previous year’s Canadian broadcasting revenues go toward a mandatory base contribution to support Canadian content funds. Google said the CRTC is putting the cart before the horse when it comes to considering a mandatory contribution before more clearly defining Canadian content. The Canadian Ethnic Media Association’s 45th Annual Awards for Journalistic Excellence will take place Nov. 25. Among this year’s winners are Christopher Cheung from The Tyee (Online); Vera He, Fairchild TV in Vancouver (Television); and Anil Thapa from Toronto’s Namaste Radio (Radio).
