The CRTC is vested with the authority to regulate and supervise all aspects of the Canadian broadcasting system, as well as to regulate telecommunications common carriers and service providers that fall under federal jurisdiction. The CRTC derives its regulatory authority over broadcasting from the Broadcasting Act. Its telecommunications regulatory powers are derived from the Telecommunications Act and the Bell Canada Act.

Ottawa, Ontario

The CRTC shall consist of not more than thirteen full-time members and not more than six part-time members appointed by the GiC to hold office during good behaviour for a term not exceeding five years, who may be removed at any time by the GiC for cause. Members are eligible for re-appointment.

The GiC shall designate one of the full-time members to be Chairman and two of the full-time members to be Vice-Chairmen.

The Chairman is the chief executive officer of the Commission and has supervision over and direction of the work and staff of the Commission and shall preside at meetings of the Commission.

In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Chairman or if the office of Chairman is vacant, the Commission may authorize one of the Vice-Chairmen to exercise the powers and to perform the duties and functions of the Chairman.

The Commission may authorize one or more of its full-time members to act as Chairman for the time being if the Chairman and both Vice-Chairmen are absent or unable to act or if the office of Chairman and each office of Vice-Chairman are vacant.

A person is not eligible to be appointed or to continue as a member of the Commission if the person is not a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada or if, directly or indirectly, as owner, shareholder, director, officer, partner or otherwise, the person:

• is engaged in a telecommunications undertaking; or
• has any pecuniary or proprietary interest in:
• a telecommunications undertaking; or
• the manufacture or distribution of telecommunications apparatus, except where the distribution is incidental to the general merchandising of goods by wholesale or retail.

The full-time members of the Commission shall reside in the National Capital Region or within such distance thereof as may be determined by the GiC. Where a regional office of the Commission is established, a full-time member of the Commission who is designated by the GiC shall reside in the region and within such distance of the regional office as may be determined by the GiC.

Pursuant to subsection 12(2) of the CRTC Act, only full-time members may exercise the powers and perform the duties vested in the Commission and the Chairperson, respectively, by the Telecommunications Act or by any special Act within the meaning of that Act.

A person is not eligible to be appointed or to continue as a member of the Commission if the person is not a Canadian citizen ordinarily resident in Canada or if, directly or indirectly, as owner, shareholder, director, officer, partner or otherwise, the person is engaged in a telecommunications undertaking; or Has any pecuniary or proprietary interest in (i) a telecommunications undertaking, or (ii) the manufacture or distribution of telecommunication apparatus, except where the distribution is incidental to the general merchandising of goods by wholesale or retail. A member in whom any prohibited interest vests by will or succession for the member's own benefit shall, within three months thereafter, absolutely dispose of that interest.

A majority of the full-time members from time to time in office and a majority of the part-time members from time to time in office.