CRTC chair laments lack of indigenous commissioners.

TELECOM

With only a few months left at the helm of the Canadian Radio- television and Telecommunications Commission, chairman Jean- Pierre Blais lamented the absence of indigenous commissioners at the regulator as it kicked off a public hearing for aboriginal radio stations on Monday.

“I would like to share that I profoundly regret that the panel does not include indigenous members,” Blais said at a hearing in Gatineau, Que. to consider proposals and ultimately award five licences for indigenous radio stations in five major cities.

Blais said the hearing is about giving indigenous people a voice, as broadcasting plays an important role in reconciliation.

But he criticized the federal government for failing to appoint indigenous people to the commission, which is in the midst of a leadership shakeup as his term edges closer to its June expiry date. Four of the top roles are up for grabs, though the hiring process was delayed several times.

“Past and present governments have not appointed qualified candidates from your communities for almost 20 years. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do about this. Nominations are made by Cabinet,” Blais said.

Blais promised the commissioners would make their best decision possible based on their knowledge as five organizations vie for the frequencies now made available in Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

The frequencies have been available since the CRTC revoked the licences from Aboriginal Voices Radio in June, 2015, after finding it did not comply with strict licensing regulations.

While the CRTC intends to do a larger consultation on its Indigenous radio policies, it won’t wait to grant the licences so urban Aboriginal communities can access stations with culturally relevant information and local talent.

“The Canadian broadcasting system must reflect each and every one of us,” Blais said.

Competing for the licences are the Wawat ay Native Communications Society, the Aboriginal MultiMedia Society of Alberta, VMS Media Group Ltd., Northern Native Broadcasting and First Peoples Radio Inc.

This isn’t the first time Blais has criticized the lack of diversity.

He previously chastised telecoms for not including a representative number of women at the public hearings.

Currently, only seven of a possible 13 commissioner spots are occupied. Two are women.

Two more seats will be vacant by June, leaving five commissioners unless the government speeds up its hiring process.

The Privy Council Office extended the deadline for applications this month in order to find the “broadest group of prospective candidates.”

It’s not clear whether the hiring will be complete by the time Blais’ term expires.

He hasn’t ruled out an extension of his term, but even if he wanted to stay, only one chairman has had his term extended in the CRTC’s nearly 50-year history.

Blais, who is known for an authoritative leadership style, steered the CRTC on a consumer- friendly agenda that often rankled big businesses.

Some believe he has a shot at an extended term even though he was appointed by the Conservatives, given his positive relationship with the heritage department.