On February 26, 2019, the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) tabled a Proposed Order Issuing a Direction to the CRTC on Implementing the Canadian Telecommunications Policy Objectives to Promote Competition, Affordability, Consumer Interests and Innovation (the "Proposed Policy Direction"). Section 8 of the Telecommunications Act permits the government to issue directions to the CRTC "of general application on broad policy matters" with respect to the statutory policy objectives relating to Canadian telecommunications that are set out in the Act.
If implemented substantially in the form as proposed, the Proposed Policy Direction will likely have a significant impact on the telecommunications regulatory framework overseen by the CRTC, in particular the manner in which the Commission exercises its powers and performs its duties in implementing the Canadian telecommunications policy objectives set out in section 7 of the Act.