Canadian telecommunication policy objectives outlined in the Telecommunications Act affirm the essential role of telecommunications in maintaining Canada’s identity and sovereignty. Objectives of the Act include:

• the importance of accessible high-quality telecommunications to all Canadians (section 7(b))
• enhanced efficiency and competitiveness of Canadian telecommunications at the national and international level (section 7(c))
• promotion of the ownership and control of Canadian carriers by Canadians (section 7(d))
• the use of Canadian transmission facilities for telecommunications within Canada, and between Canada and points outside the country (section 7(e))
• the ability to respond to the economic and social requirements of users of telecommunications services (section 7(h))

In pursuit of these policy objectives, Canada’s communications watchdog agency — the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) — was given a mandate to develop and enforce telecommunication regulations that improve and enhance the Canadian sovereignty.

Full Text: Telecommunications Act