Good morning, and thank you for the opportunity to appear before your committee.
Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge that we are gathered on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe people.
I'm joined today by my colleagues Leila Wright, vice-president of telecommunications, and Rachelle Frenette, our general counsel.
As you know, the CRTC is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. We hold public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters, and make decisions based on the public record.
We are pleased to assist your study of Bill C‑268. As the bill recognizes, the CRTC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, or ISED, play a role in helping ensure that Canadians have access to high-quality cellphone services.
The CRTC's role under the bill is to collect accurate data from service providers about their networks, including where services are available, and share this information with ISED.
Like committee members, we've heard from Canadians about dead zones and dropped calls in places where maps say they should have full service, such as Pincher Creek, Alberta; Chelsea, Nova Scotia; and even territorial capitals, such as Whitehorse.
When Canadians have difficulty accessing reliable Internet and cellphone services, it can be a real threat to their livelihoods and even their lives, so we understand the importance of these services, and we're listening to what Canadians are telling us.
Earlier this year, we launched a public consultation to improve how cellphone coverage data is collected and reported, and last week we acted. The CRTC is introducing new requirements for cellphone service providers to give more detailed and accurate coverage information. Canadians will be able to compare networks and provide feedback when their real-world experience does not match the information on ISED's national broadband map. With better information, service providers and governments will also be able to decide where improvements are needed.
Now I would like to hand things off to Leila to discuss our work helping Canadians get access to high-quality Internet and cellphone services.