Policy 1.1.20: Extended Distribution of Broadcasts of National or Regional Importance

Effective: April 16, 1975
Revised: June 12, 1991

POLICY¹

Following a long Corporation practice regarding broadcasts of national or regional importance, some programs broadcast by CBC/Radio-Canada may be made available for distribution to stations not affiliated with CBC/Radio-Canada networks when requested by the stations. In such situations the non-affiliated stations must carry the complete programs including CBC/Radio-Canada credits.

  1. Among broadcasts of events of national importance that may be eligible for extended distribution are the following:
    (a) The opening of Parliament;
    (b) Statements by the Prime Minister on matters of urgent national importance;
    (c) Special broadcasts at times of national emergency, including official broadcasts carrying out emergency measures;
    (d) Christmas and/or New Year’s messages of the Governor-General and the Prime Minister;
    (e) A message to the nation by the Sovereign;
    (f) State occasions: Royal visits, funerals, commemorative occasions, state visits by foreign representatives.
  2. Among broadcasts of events of regional importance that may be eligible for extended distribution are the following:
    (a) The opening of Provincial Legislatures;
    (b) Statements on matters of urgent provincial importance by the Premier;
    (c) Special broadcasts at times of regional emergency, including official broadcasts carrying out emergency measures;
    (d) Christmas and/or New Year’s messages of the Lieutenant-Governor and the Premier.

Network interconnection charges must be absorbed by the requesting station(s) except for special broadcasts at times of national or regional emergency, 1(c) and 2(c).

CRTC APPROVAL

Whenever a non-affiliated station is added to the network, Affiliate Relations at Head Office must be advised so that they may obtain prior CRTC approval. In case of emergency, when time does not permit obtaining prior CRTC approval, Affiliate Relations and Coverage will notify the CRTC as soon as possible of special network arrangements.

Right of pre-emption

It should also be noted that the CRTC is given a right of pre-emption by the Broadcasting Act. Section 26(2) states that:

"(2) Where the Governor in Council deems the broadcast of any program to be of urgent importance to Canadians generally or to persons resident in any area of Canada, the Governor in Council may, by order, direct the Commission to issue a notice to licensees throughout Canada or throughout any area of Canada, of any class specified in the order, requiring the licensees to broadcast the program in accordance with the order, and licensees to whom any such notice is addressed shall comply with the notice."

Corporate Secretariat
November 1994

1. Formerly designated Corporate Policy No. 2

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