Stop the preferential treatment for Internet giants - CUPE-SCFP petitions the CRTC and says a feasible solution to inequity issues is in its reach

MONTREAL, Feb. 16, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - CUPE's (SCFP) Provincial Council for Communications (CPSC) is asking the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to drop an exemption order for digital media broadcasting undertakings.

"The CRTC has the power to act swiftly and put a stop to the preferential treatment internet giants are receiving from the federal government. We have petitioned the CRTC to reverse a decision made years ago which is completely obsolete. There is no reason Netflix and other corporations like them should be under an exemption order" said Rejean Beaudet, recording secretary for the CPSC-CUPE and provincial president for the local union at TVA, Quebec's largest private television station.

The CRTC's mission is to monitor and regulate the Canadian broadcasting system. The Commission can choose to exempt classes of broadcasting undertakings unable to meet the objectives of the broadcasting policy for Canada set out in the Broadcasting Act. Yet, Netflix profits from the exemption and is now the fifth most important broadcaster in the country, ahead of Quebecor.

"It's clear that the biggest online broadcasters have the ability to contribute to the objectives of the Broadcasting act and they are threatening the future of Canadian television. Traditional broadcasters are in a precarious situation. The two-tiered system has gone on long enough" added Rejean Beaudet.

With more than 116 000 members in Quebec, CUPE (SCFP) represents 7500 working men and women in the Communications sector. CUPE-Quebec also represents workers in a number of fields including healthcare, education, municipalities and others. CUPE-Quebec is also the largest affiliate of Quebec's Labour Federation (FTQ).

SOURCE Canadian Union of Public Employees (FTQ)

Réjean Beaudet, recording secretary for the CPSC-CUPE and provincial president TVA, 514 714-8895; Lisa Djevahirdjian, Communications department, 514 831-3815