Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) is an independent public organization that regulates and supervises the Canadian broadcasting and telecommunications systems. The CRTC’s mandate is to ensure that both the broadcasting and telecommunications systems serve the Canadian public. The CRTC uses the objectives in the Broadcasting Act and the Telecommunications Act  to guide its policy decisions.

If you have seen or heard something on TV or radio that you object to, or you have another type of issue about your broadcasting service, you can make a complaint. The CRTC is not a censor, and cannot tell broadcasters what they can or cannot air. However, certain standards apply to the content of programs, and broadcasters are expected to comply with these standards. Complaints about programming on private radio and television stations may be referred to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC).

The CRTC does not regulate newspapers nor magazines.  The rates, quality of service and business practices of competitive broadcasting and telecommunication services such as cable, satellite, cellular, long distance and internet services are not regulated by the CRTC.  The CRTC website has information about who to contact first to make broadcasting, phone and internet complaints. It also explains what to do if you are not satisfied with the response.

As an independent organization, the CRTC works to serve the needs and interests of citizens, industries, interest groups and the government. The CRTC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Canadian Heritage.