Delay Rogers-Shaw CRTC hearing until its clear who controls Rogers: PIAC

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre has asked the CRTC to delay a hearing on the proposed Shaw Communications Inc. merger with Rogers Communications Inc. until it becomes clear who has authority over Rogers, according to a letter sent to the regulator Monday. The hearing is scheduled for Nov. 22. In the letter, PIAC argues that given the recent drama in the Rogers boardroom, it is "uncertain whether any submissions made in the name of Rogers continue to be supported by the company’s board of directors—or whether the officers of the company continue to have authority to act on behalf of the corporation." PIAC, which also filed the letter with the CRTC on behalf of the National Pensioners Fund, wrote that it is "concerned that the Commission will not be able to conduct the hearing in a manner that is fair to all parties and protects the public interest until and unless the confusion surrounding the effective control of Rogers is adequately resolved." Pointing out that the current dispute over leadership at Rogers is currently before the British Columbia Supreme Court, PIAC argues that even if the court rules quickly, and the decision is subject to appeal, and that it could be months before there is definitive clarity on Rogers governance. While the leadership of Rogers is in dispute, PIAC continues, it is impossible to accurately assess the strategy of the company when it comes to the migration of Shaw customers, impacts of the merger on customers with accessibility concerns, plans regarding local and community programming commitments. "Questioning the officers of Rogers that are on the Rogers panel regarding their strategies and commitments will not be helpful if a different group of officers are managing the transition of the Shaw undertakings to Rogers," PIAC's letter reads. "There is also a risk the eventual officers of Rogers may disavow the commitments made at any hearing held during this corporate struggle." In October, the CRTC ordered Rogers to submit a list of its original community programming, aggregate returns filed with the CRTC, and employment data on the hearing's public record to help the commission better understand how its proposed merger with Shaw will affect diversity in broadcasting. The regulator also granted permission in October to the Cable Public Affairs Channel Inc. -- better known as CPAC -- the right to appear before the commission. The public affairs broadcaster — which is sustained through funds from Rogers, Shaw, Quebecor Inc., Cogeco Inc., and Bragg Communications Inc.‘s Eastlink — had written to the CRTC on Sep. 13, asking to be included in the hearing, as well as the right to reply to interventions that concern it. As part of its application to the CRTC to acquire the broadcasting assets of Shaw, Rogers is seeking to purchase the 25 per cent share of CPAC owned by Shaw. Rogers already owns 41 per cent of the non-profit broadcaster. — Reporting by Michael Lee-Murphy at mleemurphy@thewirereport.ca and editing by Paul Park

Delay Rogers-Shaw CRTC hearing until its clear who controls Rogers: PIAC

News | November 1, 2021

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Delay Rogers-Shaw CRTC hearing until its clear who controls Rogers: PIAC

News | November 1, 2021

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