On May 12, 2025, the CRTC launched Broadcasting and Telecom Notice of Consultation CRTC 2025-94, titled Call for comments – A new approach to funding public interest participation in Commission proceedings.
This Commission proceeding examines whether the current cost-awards framework adequately supports meaningful participation by public-interest groups, including disability-led organizations.
- creating one funding system to participate in Commission proceedings;
- funding participation through an independent third-party fund;
- making funding available to more types of organizations or parties;
- ensuring that the funding system covers appropriate costs;
- determining who should be funding participation and how much funding they should provide;
- building a system that provides funding in a timely manner;
- ensuring that funding is used in the public interest;
- supporting consultations for Indigenous groups and official language minority communities; and
- supporting participation in proceedings under the Online News Act.
Of particular relevance to DWCC, the Commission sought comment on barriers faced by public-interest and equity-seeking groups, the limitations of after-the-fact reimbursement, the financial risks of participation, alternative funding models, and ways to improve transparency, predictability, and timeliness while ensuring participation reflects lived experience.
DWCC participated because systemic funding and accessibility barriers continue to disproportionately affect Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing (DDBHH) Canadians. Meaningful participation requires sustained investment in consultation, analysis, interpretation, translation, and accessible communications, all of which carry ongoing costs.
DWCC highlighted that the current cost-recovery model places undue strain on small, disability-led organizations and restricts consistent participation. For DDBHH communities, participation is essential to ensure telecommunications and broadcasting policies reflect accessibility, language rights, and equity.
DWCC’s submissions emphasize the need for predictable, upfront, and sustainable funding that treats accessibility as a core regulatory requirement. This includes support for ASL and LSQ consultation, DeafBlind accessibility measures, plain-language materials, surveys, community engagement, and expert analysis. Without structural reform, many affected communities remain excluded from the public record.
During the reply phase, DWCC responded to comments from telecoms that were minimizing Deaf-Blind accessibility costs and requested that the Deaf-Blind Planning Committee (DBPC) and Canadian National Society of the Deaf-Blind (CNSDB) participate jointly to provide their perspectives that highlighted the linguistic realities, language deprivation, and translanguaging needs of DeafBlind participants.
DWCC thanks the core writing and analysis team, along with community members and partner organizations, whose contributions strengthened the record and reinforced the need for funding reform to support inclusive and informed decision-making.
Below are all DWCC documents filed for this proceeding, available in PDF format. Some materials are also available in accessible formats (MS Word). For accessible Word or possible French versions, please contact us at regulatory@deafwireless.ca.
DWCC Submissions and Materials
Cover Letter with revised Intervention and Report:
Click here
DWCC Intervention:
Click here
DWCC Supplementary Report: Ten Years of Participation and Lessons for Funding Reform
Click here
Cover Letter with Reply – Corrected filing:
Click here
DWCC Reply to Interventions:
Click here
DWCC Procedural Request Letters
1 – 29 August 2025 Procedural Request Supporting PIAC – Click here
2 – 30 September 2025 Procedural Request for DBPC & CNSDB Joint for Reply Phase – Click here
Note: Results – New Notice of Consultation Released – TBNC CRTC 2025-94-1
3 – 17 November 2025 Procedural Request for Support of OLA Request to Add Final Reply Phase – Click here
