Alberta Municipalities Responds to CRTC Request for New Policy Direction

On May 26, 2022, the Government of Canada announced a new proposed policy direction to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to put in place new rules to improve competition, leading to lower prices and better telecommunications services for Canadian consumers. Alberta Municipalities passed a resolution at our 2021 convention, calling on the Alberta Government to take direct action on improving broadband service in underserved communities. Subsequently, the provincial government has released a broadband strategy and funding to support broadband projects. These are positive steps but there is more that can be done.

Alberta Municipalities has responded to the new policy direction with a number of requests. These include better regulation of mobile wireless spectrum, an emphasis on the economic impacts of broadband service in rural areas and the importance of affordability of the service. It is our hope that the Government of Canada will take these recommendations under consideration while developing the policy direction for the CRTC. Alberta Municipalities will continue to monitor the progress of this decision and share relevant details with our members.