OTTAWA-GATINEAU - Further to a request from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) yesterday announced that it will consult the public on the implications of implementing a compensation regime for the value of local television signals.

The CRTC will conduct a public hearing on this matter in December 2009, during which it will take into account:

- The impact of a compensation regime on consumers, and in particular,
its impact on affordable access to a variety of local and regional
news, information and public affairs programming.

- How the application of such a regime would impact the various
components of the communications industry as it adapts to the new
digital environment, and in particular, the implications on current
and emerging business models.

In accordance with section 15 of the Broadcasting Act, the CRTC will submit a report to the government after the conclusion of the public hearing. Further details on the December hearing will be made available shortly.

For more information, please see the CRTC's response http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/public/2009/comletters/lb090916.htm