Bram Abramson to the CanWISP Annual Conference

Bram Abramson speaks to the CanWISP annual conference and discusses ongoing CRTC proceedings and the pivot point at which Canadian telecommunications finds itself.

Bram Abramson, Commissioner for Ontario
Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

Good morning, everyone. I want to start off with some introductions, as I’m not here alone. With me from the CRTC are Matthew Tosaj from our research, economics and industry relations team; Philippe Nadeau, from dispute resolution, who some of you have had a chance to meet for mediation or arbitration; Justin Ngan, a geomatics and mapping specialist from our broadband team; Luke Smith, from the consumer & social policy team responsible for initiatives like the Internet and Wireless Codes and relations with the CCTS; and Lynn McDaniel from our registration and Data Collection System team.

This year we have worked with CanWISP to set up a space where you have the chance to speak to us, or get some advice on how various rules work. Please drop by, especially if you have a specific question that doesn’t belong in the Q&A, following my talk today. Matt, Philippe, Justin, Luke, and Lynn will be taking turns to hear you and respond.

Second, thank you for bringing it a little closer to home for me this year, on the unceded traditional territory of Haudenosaunee, Huron-Wendat, Anishnabeg, Seneca, Chippewa and the Mississaugas of the Credit. The Commission has been engaged in activities like creating an Indigenous-specific stream of the Broadband Fund. Following meetings and sessions with many Indigenous governments, service providers, and organizations, we have now launched the formal consultation on how to ensure that stream better meets the needs of Indigenous applicants, including how to tailor reporting requirements for Indigenous recipients.