Time for Canada’s Communication Regulation Overhaul as Digital Era Looms

According to an in-depth analysis published by [Source Name], it might be time for Canada to reassess its communications sector regulatory framework. With old policies designed for a monopoly era and recent legislative efforts—like the Online Streaming Act—facing scrutiny, the country’s telecom and broadcasting landscape is increasingly misaligned with current market realities.

Canada’s Legislative Lag: The Key Issues

The last comprehensive communications policy review in Canada occurred eight years ago, culminating in the 2018 report, Canada’s Communications Future: Time to Act. This effort led to legislative milestones such as the Online Streaming Act and the Online News Act. However, these measures have since encountered significant hurdles:

• Online Streaming Act: Passed in 2023, its implementation has been fraught with delays. The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has only rolled out 8 of the 11 key decisions, some of which took over a year.
• Online News Act: Meta removed Canadian news content from its platforms due to high compliance costs. Ongoing legal challenges could push the government to reconsider its approach.
• Online Harms Act: As of early 2026, this legislation remains unpassed amid widespread criticism.

These failures highlight the outdated structure of the regulatory frameworks in place. Designed for a time when wireline phones and cable TV were household mainstays, the current systems struggle to address a market dominated by streaming services and digital platforms. According to the article, only 50% of Canadian households now subscribe to traditional TV services, and landlines are used by just 33%.

Market and Industry Implications

The regulatory inefficiencies carry far-reaching ramifications for both Canadian consumers and service providers. Cross-subsidies—traditional cable subscribers funding public services like the National Public Alert System—are becoming unsustainable, while overloaded decision-making processes at the CRTC have left key initiatives in limbo.

For instance, delays in approving technical tariff applications and pricing adjustments jeopardize the operational viability of programs like CPAC. In one case, an application for destandardizing outdated TDM-based interconnection services has languished since August 2024, well beyond the CRTC’s standard 45-day evaluation period. This regulatory inertia not only stifles innovation but also incurs financial losses for businesses reliant on decisive outcomes.

As former CRTC vice-chair Peter Menzies recently wrote in The Globe and Mail, Canada faces mounting outside pressure from the U.S., which criticizes the heavy-handed compliance costs associated with the country’s Online News and Streaming Acts. Menzies argued that streamlining Canada’s regulatory framework is not just a domestic necessity but an international imperative to maintain strong trade relations.

Future Outlook: A Call for Transformation

Industry experts are increasingly advocating for a root-and-branch overhaul of Canada’s communications policies. As Peter Menzies highlights, the CRTC’s inability to adapt stems more from systemic constraints than institutional failures. A new framework tailored to the realities of the streaming and broadband-dominated era is urgently required.

The Canadian government may also need to upgrade its approach to funding public initiatives. By transitioning away from indirect cross-subsidization models, it could reduce the financial burden on outdated network services while creating a more equitable distribution of costs. This would align public funding with Canada’s broader technological and economic goals.

Furthermore, breaking away from legacy frameworks could invigorate competition. Smaller telecom providers could benefit from clear, streamlined regulatory expectations, while consumers would likely see lower costs and faster adoption of cutting-edge technologies such as 5G and fiber networks.

The Bottom Line

Canada’s communications sector stands at a critical crossroads. With changing technological realities and mounting international scrutiny, the time is ripe for a new regulatory blueprint. As calls for reform grow louder, what changes do you think are most critical for ensuring a competitive, innovative telecom landscape? Let us know in the comments.