CALGARY – True to its word, Shaw Communications will not be resuming monthly payments to the Canadian Television Fund.
On Friday, Minister of Canadian Heritage Bev Oda was informed of the decision by the company which owns Star Choice and Shaw Cable – and is the largest CTF contributor.
"I am disappointed to learn that Shaw is not going to resume their payments to the Canadian Television Fund," she said. "Clearly Shaw does not recognize the importance of abiding by regulations in a regulated world.
"All cable and direct-to-home satellite companies are regulated by the CRTC," continued Oda’s statement. "I encourage the companies to pay. They have a duty and a responsibility to fulfill their obligations associated with the privilege of their licenses.
"I urge the CRTC to take appropriate actions to uphold the law."
New CRTC chairman Konrad von Finckenstein said in his own statement last week that the Commission will take action – including rewriting the regulations – to make sure Shaw or any other company is forced to pay.
However, Shaw issued a statement today that says it feels it has the law on its side (likely because the regulations say that BDUs have to pay into the fund annually, not monthly).
"We believe that fundamental change to the way in which Canadian production is financed is essential," said Shaw CEO Jim Shaw. "Shaw Communications, as both a cable and satellite service provider, is taxed to pay for the activities of the Canadian Television Fund and the broadcasters it subsidizes. This is a tax on our 3.1 million Canadian subscribers and we believe that it is neither fair nor equitable.
"Both the Minister and the chair of the CRTC have acknowledged that fundamental reform is necessary. We are willing to work with them to achieve such change. This requires a commitment to a firm plan and schedule," he continued.
"We are not in contravention of the law or the CRTC regulations that govern the cable and satellite industries. We have sought a meeting with the CRTC to improve and enhance the delivery of quality Canadian programming. We want assurances that reforms are imminent and that they recognize the importance of private sector contributions by putting us on an equal footing with beneficiaries and public contributors.
"We look forward to working with the CRTC and the Minister in achieving these objectives and have communicated our position to the Minister. We believe that our 3.1 million subscribers, all television viewers, and Canadians will benefit from this process," concluded Shaw.
