Local Television Improvement Fund - Make the Companies Pay

Whereas the CRTC has implemented the the Local Programming Improvement Fund for the betterment of content and coverage within Canada, and

Whereas this fund is generated via a levy imposed upon Broadcasting Distribution Undertakings (Cable and Satellite television providers), and

Whereas, the top 5 BDUs, representing 90\% of the program delivery industry, have enjoyed consitant financial growth for the past 5 years, garnering $7 Billion in 2008, and

Whereas the top 5 BDUs, acting independantly or in concert, have announced that they will directly transfer the LPIF levy on to their customers, and

Whereas the CRTC has a mandate to to ensure that both the broadcasting and telecommunications systems serve the Canadian public,

Therefore

We, the undersigned members of the Canadian public, request that the Commission, acting on our behalf, take the following actions against the BDUs:

1 - By inacting the same policy regarding LPIF fees, the BDUs have demonstrated that, regardless of acting independanly or in concert, the DBUs will act together against the interest of public. Therefore, we request an immediate imposition of rate-regulation upon said BDUs.

2 - The Commission immediatly freeze all BDU customer rates at levels which existed prior to the announcement of the LPIF levy

3 - The Commission impliment a fee-for-carriage plan for formerly exempt stations (Over the Air broadcasters, etc); that carriage such local contant providers remain a condition of lisence; and that consumers also be protected from the passing on of said fee.

4 - The Commission investigate and impliment methods to protect consumers from future attempts by regulated organizations to pass Commission imposed fees, levys, taxes, or other costs along to those consumers.