Communications Legislative Review
Goodmans LLP is advising multiple clients on the potential implications of the review on foreign over-the-top services in Canada.
On June 5, 2018, the Federal Government launched an 18-month review of the Telecommunications Act, Broadcasting Act and Radiocommunications Act (the “Legislative Review”), with the objective to “update and modernize the legislative framework in a balanced way without increasing the cost of services to Canadians”.
On January 29, 2020, the final report of the Legislative Review was published and recommended extensive legislative amendments, among other things, to ensure that foreign over-the-top services contribute in some manner to the Canadian broadcasting system, bringing online news services under the jurisdiction of the CRTC and introducing regulation of program producers’ commercial relationships with broadcasters and foreign over-the-top services.
On February 2, 2022, the Government introduced Bill C-11 to amend the Broadcasting Act and to make related and consequential amendments to other Acts. Bill C-11 replaces Bill C-10, which had been introduced on November 3, 2020 but died on the order paper when the federal election was called in September 2021. Among other things, Bill C-11 proposes to modernize the Broadcasting Act to bring Canadian and foreign businesses that provide audio or audiovisual content online within its scope and require such businesses to report to the CRTC and make financial and programming contributions to the Canadian broadcasting system. Once adopted, it will result in profound changes to the Canadian broadcasting industry for years to come.
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Communications and Media
Communications Legislative Review
Goodmans LLP is advising multiple clients on the potential implications of the review on foreign over-the-top services in Canada… -
Communications and Media
Bragg Communications (operating as Eastlink) seeks review of CRTC’s wholesale rates
Goodmans LLP advised Eastlink in respect of the CRTC’s August 15, 2019 decision to reduce wholesale rates for Internet access. Eastlink is an incumbent network owner and provider of Internet services… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Rogers Communications Inc.'s $26 Billion Acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc.
Rogers Communications Inc., represented by Goodmans LLP and Shaw Communications Inc. reached an agreement for Rogers to acquire all of Shaw’s issued and outstanding Class A Shares and Class B Shares… -
Communications and Media
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago
Goodmans acts as external regulatory counsel for TSTT in disputes filed by interconnecting carriers before the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago regarding rates for termination of… -
Mergers and Acquisitions
Searchlight Capital Partners to Acquire Mitel Networks for US$2 Billion
Goodmans LLP represents Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P. (“Searchlight”) in its agreement to acquire Mitel Networks Corporation, a global market leader in business communications, in an all-cash… -
Communications and Media
University Ventures Invests $5.3 Million in OOHLALA Mobile
Goodmans LLP represented University Ventures in connection with a $5.3 million Series A investment in Montreal-based OOHLALA Mobile, a developer of mobile apps for universities with the goal of…