Canadian Television Fund - Timeline

Timeline

In 1994, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) proposed establishing a funding initiative that would focus on facilitating the production and broadcast of high-quality Canadian television programs in under-represented categories during peak viewing periods. Its revenues were to come from contributions by broadcasting distribution undertakings (i.e., cable and direct-to-home satellite providers) at a certain percentage of their revenues. What follows is a brief history of the Canadian Television Fund (CTF):

1995 CRTC establishes Cable Production Fund (CPF). Goal: Facilitate the production and broadcast of high-quality Canadian television programs in under-represented categories during peak viewing periods.

1996 Department of Canadian Heritage invites the CPF to join it in a redefined public-private partnership in conjunction with Telefilm Canada's Broadcast Development Production Fund. Result: CPF renamed Canada Television and Cable Production Fund (CTCPF).

1997 Regulatory framework changes made. Result: CTCPF renamed Canadian Television Fund (CTF) in 1998.

2005 Transition begins, establishing new relationship with Telefilm Canada. Goal: Telefilm Canada becomes responsible for the administration of CTF files, while the CTF continues to lead the development of strategic policy and program guidelines, research and to report on audiences and funding results.

The Canadian Television Fund (CTF) receives its funding from two primary sources: the Department of Canadian Heritage and broadcasting distribution undertakings (BDUs). In addition, the CTF receives revenue from recoupment on production investments made through its Equity Investment Program.

Under licence agreements with the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, BDUs are required to contribute up to 5% of their gross broadcasting revenue to Canadian programming, with 1.5% to 5% to be contributed to production funds. Of the total contributions to production funds, at least 80% must be directed to the CTF.

By fostering the growth of television production in Canada through financial investment and industry research, the Canadian Television Fund (CTF) supports the development of Canadian talent, programs and audiences. Since 1995, the CTF has contributed to the creation of over 25,000 hours of Canadian programming and has infused over $2.5 billion into the industry, triggering the production of over $8 billion of Canadian programming. CTF-supported productions have cultivated thousands of jobs in the Canadian television sector.

On December 20, 2006, Jim Shaw, CEO of Shaw Communications Inc. informed the Canadian Television Fund that he would be pulling approximately $56 million per year out of the fund.1 The move was later followed by Vidéotron (a subsidiary of Quebecor Inc.) who announced their plans to withdraw their contributions on January 23, 2007.2

On July 20, 2007, Keith Mahar, a former manager at broadcaster CHUM Limited, submitted a report to the CRTC, entitled Profiteering in the Name of Culture, respecting the Canadian Television Fund . The submission recommends a judicial review of alleged CRTC corruption related to the Fund which he contends has unjustly enriched cable companies. As per Mr. Mahar, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) regulations, cable and satellite television distributors in Canada are required to contribute 5% of their revenue to the fund, which the companies can pass on to their customers in the form of inflated rates service. Since such consumer costs are embedded in their fees for service, consumers are subject to pay the 5% levy plus P.S.T. and G.S.T. on the cost of the company subsidy program. A copy of the submission is posted on the CRTC public file. On February 7, 2008, Mahar issued a press release covered by Reuters which was critical of Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his alleged failure to act on information respecting related activities by the CRTC and corporations in the affair.