May 2009

Canada is one of the last countries in the world that doesn’t have cable or satellite access to the most genuinely international television news services available worldwide: the English and Arabic news channels of Al Jazeera.

Even the U.S. carries Al Jazeera Arabic nationwide. The State of Israel broadcasts both. In fact, one of Israel’s largest satellite distributors replaced the BBC with the award-winning Al Jazeera English channel (AJE), given their viewers’ interest.

But now, Canadians finally have an opportunity to see Al Jazeera English for themselves.

An application to the CRTC is being considered by Canada’s broadcast regulator. It has begun a 30-day ‘consultation’ period when Canadians are being asked whether AJE should be allowed in Canada. The deadline is June 8.

We ask you to consider getting involved. Below is information on how you can reach the CRTC and contribute your views. If enough Canadians say they want to see Al Jazeera English, and the CRTC ultimately gives its approval to list AJE as an “eligible” service, then Canadian cable and satellite companies will carry it.

With your help, we are hoping that AJE - on the air worldwide now for more than two years - will finally be available in Canadian homes by this autumn.

This will mean that Canadians will finally get the same choice as people in 140 million households in more than 100 countries have: If you want to see AJE, you’ll be able to. An added benefit is that we will also open a Canadian news bureau. This will make AJE the only international broadcaster located in Canada making Canadian stories available to the world.

As the centre of global power shifts to new regions and new rising powers, Al Jazeera’s 69 news bureaus intensely track those developments. For Canada in particular, perhaps the world’s most multicultural and diverse of countries, we believe that AJE’s unique mix of news, current affairs and documentaries will appeal to Canadians.

We welcome your support on this fascinating journey.

TONY BURMAN
Managing Director - Al Jazeera English
Doha, Qatar

How To Reach The CRTC

Comments to the CRTC in response to AJE’s application can be sent in the following ways:

• By Mail:
  CRTC
  Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2
• By Fax:
  819-994-0218
• By Email:
  http://support.crtc.gc.ca/rapidscin/default.aspx?lang=en&applicant=2009-254
  Follow the link to comment on notice 2009-254

Comments must be received by the CRTC no later than June 8, 2009

The CRTC requests that you number each paragraph of your submission. In addition, please enter the line ***End of document*** following the last paragraph.

Individuals submitting comments on the request should also submit a true copy of their comments to the Canadian sponsor, ECG, at the following address:

Proof that comments have been sent to ECG must accompany the original version of the comments sent to the commission.