Second, we request a description of our role, equivalent to that accorded to the CBC. We suggest, as low-hanging fruit, to substitute “community media” for “alternative television programming services” in paragraph 3(1)(r) of the 1991 act. This paragraph was never used, but it almost exactly describes how community media reflect underserved groups.
Third, the creative Canada policy framework, “The Shattered Mirror” and the Yale report barely mention the community element. Policy-makers need guidance in the act regarding how we complement public and private broadcasting in fulfilling its goals. This is the piece the CRTC hasn't gotten. For example, in paragraphs 3(1)(o) and (p), we underscore the role of community media in enabling indigenous and disabled persons to craft their own content. We provide suggested wordings for these amendments in our brief.