In Bill C-11 our hope is that.... To give you an example, in 2016, the last time the CRTC reviewed its local and community TV policy, there were public notices of consultation that went out, and then stakeholders could weigh in. The not-for-profit community TV groups that are stepping in to fill service holes left in the wake of cable TV closures weren't even mentioned. There were questions of, well, we all know that cable community channels have been regionalized and this and that, but there was no mention that there's actually this viable other sector growing in its place.
What we are looking for in the act is recognition so that, when we talk about who's doing the work at the community level, not-for-profits are at the table. When the online streaming act goes into law and is referred to the CRTC to put in practice and there's more money in the Canadian broadcasting system, at that point we're hoping that there would be funding for a community access media fund that could fund community radio, community TV and new online digital types of media—virtual reality, video game production—where community groups are also involved. The funding comes at the next stage when there are clear definitions of what our role is supposed to be in the act.